Teams Contact Steelers On Mike Tomlin’s Rights; Tomlin Not Planning To Coach In 2026
As the Saints’ Sean Payton situation reminded earlier this decade, a coach stepping away while under contract can be valuable to a team. New Orleans fetched first- and second-round picks from Denver in a 2023 trade for Payton’s rights. The Steelers will be in a similar position after Mike Tomlin‘s exit.
Teams are already seeing if a Tomlin trade is viable. Clubs have reached out to the Steelers following Tomlin’s decision to resign, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Calls came in hours after Tomlin’s exit, and while this process should be relevant in the not-too-distant future, Rapoport indicates the interested teams were told Tomlin is not planning to coach in 2026.
One interested team was told Tuesday Tomlin was not planning to take an interview, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson tweets. It appears that view may apply to the full 2026 market. Tomlin, 53, is believed to have drawn interest from CBS, ESPN, FOX and NBC for an analyst role. Two years remain on Tomlin’s Steelers contract, something that would need to be revisited if/when Tomlin wants to coach again.
The Steelers have seen this scenario play out before. Bill Cowher walked away after the 2006 season, heading to CBS. Cowher, however, remains with the network nearly two decades later. Cowher was 49 when he stepped down after 15 years as Steelers HC. Tomlin was believed to have having thoughts about walking away before the 2025 season began, and his quick exit following Pittsburgh’s wild-card loss to Houston all but confirmed this has been on the longtime leader’s mind for a while.
A report before the Steelers’ wild-card game indicated TV interest had emerged, with Tomlin having a standing invite from networks if he decided to leave coaching. It will be interesting to see where Tomlin lands. Payton joined FOX shortly after his Saints exit, but rumors about his 2023 destination swirled over the ensuing months. Payton became a coveted coaching commodity on the 2023 carousel, eventually ending up with the Broncos. Payton, 59 when hired in Denver, has led the Broncos to back-to-back playoff berths. His team will debut in these playoffs as the No. 1 seed Saturday.
It took less of a trade package for the Buccaneers to land one-and-done CBS game analyst Bruce Arians in 2019. Tampa Bay sent Arizona a sixth-round pick and collected a seventh in return for the then-66-year-old HC’s rights. Tomlin would fetch more in a swap. While he does not bring a play-calling acumen Payton did, the quotable ex-Steelers leader established one of the highest floors in coaching history by going 19 years without a losing season. Tomlin ventured to 13 playoff brackets, won eight AFC North titles and appeared in two Super Bowls. The Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII, giving Tomlin a strong chance at the Hall of Fame down the road.
While the Steelers could have a chance to recoup notable draft capital for Tomlin’s rights — possibly as soon as 2027 — they must conduct their first coaching search in 19 years. Brian Flores, who stopped through Pittsburgh in 2022 as Tomlin gave him a rebound opportunity as linebackers coach (with his discrimination lawsuit in its early stages), has come up as a name to monitor. The Steelers also looked into Marcus Freeman, but he is staying at Notre Dame.
Rams DC Chris Shula came up as a connected name in Pittsburgh as well, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. Shula, 39, has received interview requests from the Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders, Dolphins, Giants and Titans thus far. The popular candidate could be added in Pittsburgh soon, but no requests have come out. The Steelers have traditionally gone young with their HCs, hiring Tomlin and Cowher at 34.
Giants To Meet With John Harbaugh
The most aggressive team in the John Harbaugh pursuit will have a chance to make a sales pitch. Harbaugh is meeting with the Giants today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
This will be the longtime Ravens HC’s second meeting since becoming a coaching free agent; the Falcons received the first, meeting with him Monday. This will, however, be Harbaugh’s first in-person meeting, NFL.com adds.
[RELATED: 2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Both John Mara and Steve Tisch are expected to be at the meeting, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan and Ian O’Connor. The Giants have satisfied the Rooney Rule, which required HC-seeking teams to interview at least two external minority candidates, meaning they could make a hire today if they chose.
Harbaugh has been connected to the Titans, Dolphins and Browns as well; as it stands, Atlanta, New York and Tennessee have been viewed as the frontrunners. But no known interviews have been scheduled there just yet, and Rapoport adds there is a chance Harbaugh does not leave the building without a deal in place today. A Titans meeting is believed to be in Harbaugh’s plans, according to the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. The Falcons would also like to bring Harbaugh in for an in-person meeting, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes.
Joining the Falcons in monitoring Harbaugh’s Ravens status before his firing, the Giants have been in heavy on the Super Bowl-winning HC since his Baltimore ouster. The Giants came up as a team “all in” on Harbaugh quickly and team exec Chris Mara — John’s brother — had lunch with the free agent coach recently. Countless conversations have occurred between Harbaugh and the Giants, per Rapoport, raising the stakes for this in-person meeting. Chris Mara and Joe Schoen will be at this meeting as well, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano tweets.
The Giants are believed to appeal to Harbaugh in part because of their Jaxson Dart draft choice in last year’s first round. New York has plenty of needs and has won more than six games in a season just once over the past nine years. The team also is retaining Schoen, though it should be expected a Harbaugh hire would reduce the fifth-year GM’s power in the organization. Harbaugh is not believed to covet full personnel control, however.
New York already went with a coach carrying a special teams background, hiring Joe Judge in 2020, but Harbaugh obviously transcends such status by now. He led the Ravens for 18 years, winning a Super Bowl and reaching four AFC championship games. A failure to reach a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson doomed Harbaugh in Baltimore, but as many as nine teams — including some with HCs employed — contacted him hours after his firing.
There are now nine HC vacancies, but with Mike Tomlin not viewed as likely to dive into this pool (instead eyeing a TV role for 2026), Harbaugh is the biggest fish out there. He may make the first move to shape this year’s market.
Now 63, Harbaugh will undoubtedly be seeking a team that can present ingredients to win immediately. With the Giants entering Week 17 in the No. 1 overall draft slot (before falling to No. 5), it is worth wondering if they have the best case among interested teams. But Dart’s presence on a rookie contract (through at least 2027) does give New York a selling point some of the other teams angling for a splash hire do not.
Harbaugh is believed to have spent the weekend discussing arrangements with potential assistants. A decision could be coming soon, and the Giants’ pitch will be a key storyline as this chase continues.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison Arrested On Trespassing Charge
Seminole Indian Police arrested Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison on a misdemeanor trespassing charge, according to ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert. The arrest occurred Monday morning in Tampa.
The arrest took place at 3:46am ET on Monday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Addison, 23, was booked and charged with trespass in an occupied structure or conveyance, per Seifert. This is a first-degree misdemeanor charge. The young wideout was released Monday afternoon on a $500 bond.
This incident marks Addison’s third brush with the law since the Vikings drafted him in the 2023 first round. He was cited for driving 140mph on a Minnesota highway in July 2023. The following summer, Addison was arrested on suspicion of DUI after being found asleep at the wheel of a vehicle near Los Angeles International Airport. The latter incident led to a three-game suspension to open the 2025 season.
Addison became extension-eligible this month, completing his third NFL season. From a yards-per-game standpoint, Addison is coming off his least productive season. He caught 42 passes for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, though the Vikings’ issues breaking in J.J. McCarthy at QB — during a season that featured Carson Wentz and rookie UDFA Max Brosmer taking snaps — contributed heavily to Addison’s third-year regression. Justin Jefferson played in 17 games but only reached 1,048 yards.
“Jordan is unique because 99% of the days that Jordan Addison is a Viking, he’s a joy to be around,” Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s incredibly intelligent, confident, responsible. And then it’s like all of us: What are you like on those 1% of days? Is it the type of thing that draws attention or not? Obviously that’s something we have to consider when you’re talking about long-term ramifications of a contract extension and different things like that, or letting somebody like Jalen Nailor leave.
“We’ll have those conversations, obviously. Just a few days after the season and obviously this event just happened. But always supportive of Jordan Addison. We’ll continue to fact-find and see what actually happened, and then we’ll have those conversations in the future.”
Extension talks have not occurred with Nailor, who will hit free agency in March. Minnesota can buy more time to evaluate Addison by picking up his fifth-year option; the team will need to make that decision shortly after the draft. The Lions proceeded down this path with Jameson Williams, picking up his option — after multiple suspensions — and extending him months later.
Mike Tomlin Resigns As Steelers HC
Mike Tomlin‘s 19-year Steelers coaching run will come to an end following the team’s wild-card loss to the Texans. The Pittsburgh icon informed his team he is stepping down, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler report.
This marks a sea-change offseason in the AFC North. Tomlin and John Harbaugh entered 2026 as the NFL’s longest-tenured HCs. Now, both are out of jobs. Three of the division’s teams, also including the Browns, are looking for leaders. Nine head coaching positions are now available around the league. Harbaugh is the biggest fish available; it is not fully known if Tomlin wants to enter the pool. This was not a firing, Schefter added during a SportsCenter appearance, noting this had been on Tomlin’s mind since before the season.
A report last week indicated Tomlin had an open invitation for a TV gig should he step aside in Pittsburgh, and veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes that is the expected path the Pennsylvania staple will take. Like Bill Cowher in 2007, Tomlin will be expected to enter the media realm.
Cowher ultimately never returned to coaching, but Schultz points to Tomlin eventually being part of the 2027 HC carousel. This would move him down a Sean Payton– or Bruce Arians-like path. If Tomlin pursues TV, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reports CBS, FOX, ESPN and NBC will have interest.
“During our meeting today, coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our head coach,” Steelers owner Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years. It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for coach Tomlin.
“His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated. My family and I, and everyone connected to Steelers management, are forever grateful for the passion and dedication Mike Tomlin has devoted to Steelers football.”
Tomlin, 53, will walk away after six straight playoff one-and-dones. The Steelers ran into a defensive buzzsaw in the No. 5-seeded Texans on Monday night, losing 30-6. While playoff shortcomings defined the second half of Tomlin’s Steelers tenure, he is a Super Bowl-winning HC who made it back to the NFL’s biggest stage two years later.
Nearly 15 years after Tomlin’s Steelers lost Super Bowl XLV to the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers, the two teamed up when the future Hall of Fame quarterback signed with Pittsburgh. Rodgers’ career may well end with the loss to Houston as well, though the QB icon has said he is open to returning. With Tomlin playing such a key role in Rodgers’ joining the Steelers, will he still entertain a return for the 2026 season?
Two years remained on Tomlin’s contract, with the Steelers having until March 1 to exercise a 2027 option on the deal. Had the Steelers done so, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac notes approximately $50MM remained on the deal. A source informed Fowler that Tomlin did not see much left to chase in his current role. The accomplished HC will be a surefire Hall of Fame candidate, having gone 193-114-2 with the Steelers in a tenure that included 13 playoff berths and three AFC championship game appearances. The Steelers won eight playoff games under Tomlin, though the January success stopping by the 2017 season caused considerable unrest among Pittsburgh fans.
Tomlin quickly confirmed after a wild-card loss to the Ravens last season he would return, but The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson indicates a belief existed Tomlin felt underappreciated among contingents around Pittsburgh. Plenty had called for change, but it is notable it may have contributed to Tomlin dissatisfaction.
Frustration about the Steelers’ high-floor, low-ceiling status had festered for years, and chants calling for Tomlin’s firing rang out during a one-sided loss to the Bills in late November. As Tomlin-led teams have done repeatedly, however, the Steelers rallied down the stretch to avoid a losing season and book yet another playoff berth. Still, a report indicated just before Week 18 that Tomlin could still leave after Year 19. The Texans’ defense smothered Rodgers and Co. Monday night, turning the team’s first AFC North title in five years into another one-and-done — this one via blowout despite C.J. Stroud struggling for most of the game.
While the Raiders are looking for their fifth full-time head coach this decade, the Steelers’ Tomlin successor will only be the franchise’s fourth since 1969. Chuck Noll lasted 23 years in the Steel City, winning four Super Bowls and establishing the franchise as one of the NFL’s elite. Cowher succeeded Noll in 1992, winning immediately and guiding the team to two Super Bowls 10 years apart. Cowher won Super Bowl XL and stepped away a year later. The Steelers hired Tomlin at age 34, tabbing him despite only one season of coordinator experience (with the 2006 Vikings) on his resume.
Tomlin had coached the Buccaneers’ DBs for five seasons before that, working under Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden. This included a Super Bowl win as an assistant. The hire turned out to be a defining decision for the Steelers, who gave Tomlin seven extensions during his near-two-decade tenure.
Coaching a historically good Steelers defense in 2008, Tomlin saw a Ben Roethlisberger game-winning drive culminate with a Santonio Holmes toe-tapping touchdown to defeat the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The Steelers lost 31-25 to the Packers two years later. The “Killer B’s” version of the Steelers advanced to the 2016 AFC title game, dropping a runaway loss to the Patriots. Pittsburgh’s divisional-round win in Kansas City that season is Tomlin’s most recent playoff win.
Tomlin’s tenure included wild-card losses to the likes of Tim Tebow and a Browns team competing without Kevin Stefanski, who was sidelined with COVID-19. Pittsburgh also dropped a divisional-round game at home to the Jaguars, allowing 45 points to a Blake Bortles-quarterbacked squad. The Steelers then lost their postseason openers to close the 2021, ’23 and ’24 seasons to form a trend that came to define them as of late. The most recent Tomlin extension came in 2024, and two more playoff appearances followed. But Pittsburgh has been unable to find a long-term quarterback option since Roethlisberger’s retirement, keeping the franchise in its current place.
The Steelers missed on Kenny Pickett in the 2022 first round, selecting the passer at No. 20 without trading up. That QB class, save for Brock Purdy‘s stunning San Francisco success, has underwhelmed. The Steelers benched Pickett late in the 2023 season and traded him to the Eagles shortly after signing Russell Wilson in March 2024. Pittsburgh pursued Matthew Stafford and a Justin Fields re-signing last year, with Rodgers being the team’s third choice.
The Steelers were not Rodgers’ first choice, either, with the 20-year veteran preferring Minnesota. But the sides made it work. Pittsburgh’s 10-7 record will once again leave a path to a QB draft pick sketchy, with the team set to hold the No. 21 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Rodgers coming back in a bridge scenario has surfaced as an option, but the Steelers’ next HC will need to solve this problem — especially as Tomlin defensive staples Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt are either in the twilight of their careers (Heyward) or moving toward it.
Pittsburgh also added veteran pieces to its roster in hopes of an elusive playoff victory, trading for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith and D.K. Metcalf. These moves came a year after they signed Patrick Queen in free agency. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh proceeds with some of its veterans, as it is not out of the question the team will enter a new phase post-Tomlin.
This will represent a pivotal offseason for Omar Khan, who will make his first coaching hire as GM. Khan arrived in Pittsburgh before Tomlin and will now be tasked with helping Rooney find his successor. That to-be-determined coach will have big shoes to fill.
It will be interesting to see where Tomlin lands and if he will eventually coach again or take the Cowher path by settling into the TV industry. The Steelers retain Tomlin’s rights, like the Saints did with Payton. If/when Tomlin returns to the sideline elsewhere, Pittsburgh can recoup draft compensation in a trade scenario.
Eagles Remove Kevin Patullo From OC Role
Another offseason, another Eagles offensive coordinator change. After an inconsistent season, Philadelphia is moving on from OC Kevin Patullo, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
After a wild-card loss to a shorthanded 49ers team, it is certainly not surprising the Eagles are making another change. This marks the second time in three offseasons Nick Sirianni has pulled the plug on an OC. Patullo, though, has been with Sirianni since their days in Indianapolis. Promoted to OC in 2025, Patullo struggled to lead an offense with considerable talent.
[RELATED: Kevin Stefanski, Kliff Kingsbury On Eagles’ OC Radar]
Sirianni may not be ready to remove Patullo from his staff entirely, however. It is possible the assistant stays on staff in a different role, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds. It is not certain this happens, with Garafolo noting talks are upcoming about Sirianni and Patullo staying together. Patullo has coached with Sirianni since Frank Reich‘s 2018 arrival in Indianapolis.
“I have decided to make a make a change at offensive coordinator,” Sirianni said (via The Athletic’s Zach Berman). “I met with Kevin today to discuss the difficult decision, as he is a great coach who has my utmost respect. He has been integral to this team’s success over the last five years. Not only to the on-field product but behind the scenes as a valued leader for our players and organization. I have no doubt he will continue to have a successful coaching career.”
The Eagles will be searching for their fifth OC in the Sirianni era. Shane Steichen held the role for two seasons but joined the Colts as HC in 2023. Sirianni promoted QBs coach Brian Johnson to fill the role. Johnson struggled, and the Eagles collapsed in 2023. He ended up fired, leading to Kellen Moore coming in and reestablishing his stock. Moore did well enough during a dominant Eagles Super Bowl-winning season that he landed the Saints’ HC job. This led to Sirianni promoting Patullo from pass-game coordinator to OC. Like Johnson, this promotion did not yield consistently good results.
Rumblings about a potential change began weeks ago. Patullo memorably saw his house egged during a trying season in the OC role. Sirianni is an offense-oriented HC, but he has not called plays since giving the reins to Steichen midway through his rookie season in Philly. But Sirianni began to take a bigger role in the offense late in the season. Although the end result was not as bad as the 2023 nosedive, the Eagles could not find a spark ahead of a wild-card home loss.
Patullo, 44, had not called plays at any level previously. Save for a one-off stay at Texas A&M (2017), he has been in the NFL since 2007. The former Chiefs, Bills, Titans, Jets and Colts assistant had been the Eagles’ pass-game coordinator for four seasons. Sirianni promoted Johnson over Patullo in 2023 but opted to give the OC gig to his longtime coworker last year. The Eagles dropped from seventh to 19th in scoring offense and from eighth to 24th in yardage between the 2024 and ’25 seasons. Philly ranked 19th in EPA per drive. Like 2023, infighting emerged ahead of a playoff one-and-done.
While Lane Johnson‘s late-season absence proved pivotal, Patullo never seemed especially comfortable at the wheel. Saquon Barkley stayed healthy all season but fell well off his stratospheric 2024 pace, finishing with 1,140 rushing yards. The Eagles ranked 18th in rushing, completing that descent months after making Barkley the NFL’s first $20MM-per-year running back. Philly’s Jalen Hurts-led passing attack ranked 23rd. A.J. Brown grumbling took place once again, but unlike in 2024, the Eagles could not offset pass-game inconsistency with Barkley dominance to stabilize their offense.
Given the success Steichen and Moore achieved compared to Sirianni’s promoted OCs, it would stand to reason the next Eagles play-caller will come from outside the organization. Sirianni had been rumored to be on the hot seat when he fired Johnson, but after the 2024 Eagles zoomed to a Super Bowl title, the HC received an extension and is in no danger of losing his job now. But a key retooling measure is coming.
While Brown trade rumors figure to pick up again soon — as Sirianni and the team’s top wideout had a memorable run-in following a Brown drop in the 49ers matchup — the Eagles should still return plenty of talent on offense to make this job attractive.
Chargers Fire OC Greg Roman
Greg Roman‘s second year with the Chargers has proven to be his last. The veteran offensive coordinator has been fired, as first reported by Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The team has since confirmed the news. 
This represents a split between Roman and head coach Jim Harbaugh. The two worked together at Stanford (2009-10), with the 49ers (2011-14) and again during Harbaugh’s time with the Chargers. The 2026 season will represent Harbaugh’s first in the NFL without Roman as his offensive coordinator.
Los Angeles has reached the playoffs in each of the past two years. That illustrates the successful turnaround seen under Harbaugh and the team’s new front office. The performances seen on offense during the wild-card round has left plenty to be desired, however. Between last season’s loss to the Texans and the defeat against the Patriots from this weekend, Roman’s unit has managed just 15 total playoff points.
As Daniel Popper of The Athletic notes (subscription required), the “tenor” regarding Roman’s future changed in the wake of Sunday night’s game. Quarterback Justin Herbert continued to face consistent pressure due in large part to Los Angeles’ struggles up front. He took six sacks against the Patriots and several scrambles resulted in a team-leading 57 rushing yards. Offensive line coach Mike Devlin is also out, per the NFLN trio.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater was lost for the season to a torn patellar tendon suffered in August. That resulted in Joe Alt moving to the blindside, creating a setup which largely proved sufficient when he was available. Alt himself was limited to only six games in 2025 due to his own season-ending injury, however. The Bolts were unable to compensate for losing their top two linemen, and issues up front persisted through the team’s elimination.
Overall, the Chargers ranked 11th in scoring during Roman’s first year in charge and 20th in 2025. Improvements will be sought out by Harbaugh over the coming days. Los Angeles could be seen as one of the top openings around the league on the OC front given the presence of Herbert and a number of other core pieces on offense. It will be interesting to see who Harbaugh targets as he prepares for a rare stint without Roman serving as one of his top lieutenants.
Roman, 53, has been an NFL offensive coordinator for 12 years. In between his stints working with Jim Harbaugh, he led the Bills’ offense for two seasons and the Ravens’ for four. Roman won the Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2019, the season in which Lamar Jackson was the NFL’s unanimous MVP. Known for finding success with dual-threat quarterbacks, he could be sought out by teams seeking out an improved showing in the run game in particular.
The Lions and Buccaneers currently have an offensive coordinator vacancy. More are expected to open as the HC landscape takes shape over the coming days. In any case, the Chargers are now among the teams seeking out a new play-caller on offense as they look to take a step forward next year.
Vikings Expect QB Competition In 2026
Although he missed his entire rookie campaign with a torn meniscus in his right knee, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy entered 2025 as the team’s unquestioned starter. After the former Michigan Wolverine’s first year at the helm didn’t go as planned, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that they expect to bring in competition for McCarthy in the offseason.
Adofo-Mensah used the 10th overall pick on McCarthy two years ago. However, when meeting with the media on Tuesday, he stopped short of guaranteeing the 22-year-old a starting job in 2026 (via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune).
Asked if he wants McCarthy to start next season, Adofo-Mensah said: “I want the Vikings to achieve our goals. And I think one of those goals is to make playoff runs. I think he has the character and ability to be the person to do that. If I say that in 2026, that kind of binds us into a certain area.”
On the possibility of a quarterback competition, O’Connell stated (via Rob Kleifield of the team’s website): “I think there has to be. That’s what’s going to make everybody better in that room. It’s going to be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.”
With McCarthy on the shelf a year ago, the Vikings turned to a battle-tested veteran option in Sam Darnold. Even If McCarthy didn’t go down with his injury in the preseason, the plan was always for Darnold to at least start 2024 under center. It couldn’t have gone much better for the Vikings, who stunningly finished 14-3 under Darnold.
Despite fizzling out in the playoffs, Darnold went on to land a three-year, $100.5MM contract with the Seahawks in free agency last March. With the Seahawks now sitting as the No. 1 seed in the NFC heading into the divisional round, Darnold proved his 2024 breakout wasn’t a fluke.
The Vikings, on the other hand, didn’t get much from their quarterbacks during a 9-8 year in which they failed to reach the postseason. Three different injuries – a high ankle sprain, a concussion and a hairline fracture in his right hand – limited McCarthy to 10 games. While the Vikings went 6-4 in his starts, McCarthy threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). He completed just 57.6% of passes while ranking near the bottom in the league in traditional passer rating (72.6) and QBR (35.7).
Late-August free agent pickup Carson Wentz arguably performed better than McCarthy in his five starts, but a shoulder injury knocked him out for the year in late October. With McCarthy and Wentz unavailable, the Vikings had to turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer for two starts. Brosmer fared horribly in those outings, which is part of the reason the Vikings will have to look outside for QB help in the coming months.
If the Vikings had been successful in their attempt to to re-sign Daniel Jones last year, they’d have been in better position to handle McCarthy’s performance- and injury-related struggles in 2025. But Jones, who ended 2024 in Minnesota after flaming out with the Giants, accepted the Colts’ less lucrative offer because he saw a clearer path to playing time in Indianapolis. It wound up as a wise decision for Jones, who revived his career before tearing his Achilles in early December.
Despite a major injury, Jones is a strong bet to earn a much richer deal than the one-year, $14MM pact he signed with the Colts last offseason. While Jones is interested in re-signing with the Colts, he could end up back on the Vikings’ radar if he reaches free agency in March.
Wentz, Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, Geno Smith, Malik Willis, Aaron Rodgers (who held talks with the Vikings a year ago), ex-Viking Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Justin Fields and Anthony Richardson are among other signal-callers facing uncertain futures as either trade candidates, release possibilities or soon-to-be free agents. Depending on how aggressive the Vikings are at the position in the offseason, any of those passers could fit into their plans.
Adofo-Mensah noted the Vikings are still “excited about where [McCarthy] can go.” That suggests they may not make a significant splash under center, but their handling of the game’s most important position will be a key offseason storyline.
49ers Designate Fred Warner For Return
Fred Warner‘s lengthy onramp to a potential playoff cameo will pass a key mile marker Tuesday. Warner is returning to 49ers practice.
The 49ers are designating the All-Pro linebacker for return, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner notes. A reemergence in Saturday’s divisional-round game is not expected, per Wagoner, but a comeback for a potential NFC championship game is in play.
[RELATED: Injured Reserve Return Tracker]
Sidelined with a fractured and dislocated ankle since mid-October, Warner has made considerable progress. Rumblings about a potential return before season’s end surfaced soon after. As recently as early December, however, it was considered unlikely. Two weeks ago, however, the prospect of Warner coming back gained steam. He progressed to running on a side field last week, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows notes.
Snake-bitten by injuries yet again, the 49ers finished their wild-card win in Philadelphia down three first-team All-Pros. Nick Bosa has been out for months and is not coming back. George Kittle went down during the game with an Achilles tear; Kittle has already undergone surgery, per Kyle Shanahan. Warner has not played since Week 6. Still, the 49ers found a way to win, rallying behind Christian McCaffrey — who missed most of last season before returning in full force this year — and a returning Trent Williams to eliminate the defending champion Eagles.
The 49ers played the Eagles without others at linebacker. The team suited up for its wild-card assignment without starters Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune. Warner’s primary replacement, Bethune is out for the remainder of the season. Winters played all 17 regular-season games but missed the wild-card outing with an ankle injury. With Warner not set to come off IR until at least next week — should the 49ers pull an upset in Seattle — Winters’ status this week will be something to closely monitor. Garret Wallow, who began the season with the the Broncos, and Eric Kendricks — an 11th-year veteran who had committed to the 49ers in 2024 only to reconsider and join the Cowboys — played extensively Sunday and would be in line to do so again if Winters cannot go against the Seahawks.
Following Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman in becoming a perennial All-Pro as a San Francisco linebacker, Warner landed his second extension this offseason. The 49ers gave their dominant second-level defender a three-year, $63MM deal. As injuries have hounded the team in most years, Warner had been the constant, staying on the field and establishing a Hall of Fame-caliber resume by soaring to four All-Pro first teams. Warner, 29, had missed only one career game coming into this season. He played through a leg fracture in 2024. He will now attempt a return to action after a serious injury.
Eagles Interested In Kevin Stefanski, Kliff Kingsbury For OC
The Eagles are in the market for an offensive coordinator after removing Kevin Patullo from the position on Tuesday. Although the unit fell well short of expectations in 2025, there remains plenty of talent on hand. That could help head coach Nick Sirianni lure a high-profile name to replace Patullo.
Former head coaches Kevin Stefanski and Kliff Kingsbury are among the possibilities for Philadelphia. The team will give both Stefanski and Kingsbury “a real look” in its search for Patullo’s replacement, a league source told Josina Anderson of The Exhibit.
Stefanski lost his job as the Browns’ head coach after the season, but he stands a good chance of immediately landing a second HC opportunity. The 43-year-old is reportedly a Plan B option for the Giants and Falcons if they don’t hire John Harbaugh.
As PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker shows, Stefanski has also interviewed with the Ravens, Raiders, Titans and Dolphins. The AFC North veteran may have yet another option if the Steelers, who saw Mike Tomlin resign on Tuesday, come calling.
Although he’s a Philadelphia native, the widespread interest in Stefanski as a head coach may make him an unrealistic target for the Eagles. Kingsbury, meanwhile, has interviewed for the Ravens’ head coaching position. The Titans also requested a meeting, but it’s unknown if or when that will occur. It’s also unclear if anyone else will consider Kingsbury for their HC opening.
Like Stefanski, Kingsbury is seeking his second opportunity as a head coach. He led the Cardinals to a 28-37-1 record from 2019-22. While that’s an unimpressive mark, Kingsbury guided the Cardinals to their most recent playoff berth in 2021. He also meshed well with much-maligned quarterback Kyler Murray, who made the Pro Bowl twice under Kingsbury. Murray hasn’t regained that form since Kingsbury’s exit.
Kingsbury, who coached at Houston and Texas Tech from 2008-18, returned to the college level as a senior offensive analyst at USC in 2023. That was quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last season with the Trojans. He joined the Bears as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. Kingsbury also went back to the pros that year as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator under head coach Dan Quinn.
Washington followed Chicago in selecting a QB with its top pick, choosing Jayden Daniels second overall. With Kingsbury at the controls, Daniels enjoyed a jaw-dropping introduction to the pros. The dual threat rolled to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and helped the Commanders to an NFC Championship Game appearance. They suffered a lopsided defeat to Philadelphia, potentially Kingsbury’s next employer.
After the Commanders’ offense finished top seven in scoring and yardage a year ago, expectations were the unit would continue to thrive in 2025. Injuries, including to Daniels and No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin (among others), played a significant role in preventing that.
With three different injuries holding Daniels to seven starts, Washington’s offense fell to 22nd overall in points and yards. The team and Kingsbury parted ways after a bitterly disappointing 5-12 campaign, sending him back to coaching free agency.
With Kingsbury now on the Eagles’ radar, it’s worth pointing out that there’s familiarity between the two sides. Before Kingsbury went to Washington in 2024, he interviewed to become the Eagles’ O-coordinator. They instead chose Kellen Moore, who went on to assist in a Super Bowl-winning campaign. Thanks in large part to an otherworldly season from running back Saquon Barkley, the Eagles boasted one of the league’s best offenses then.
Moore parlayed his success in his lone season with the Eagles into the Saints’ head coaching gig. His departure led Sirianni to bump Patullo up from his previous role as the team’s pass game coordinator. The promotion didn’t go as planned for Patullo, who looked in over his head. Despite an enviable collection of linemen and skill players such as Barkley, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, the Eagles were an underwhelming 19th in scoring and 24th in yards in 2025.
Facing a banged-up 49ers defense in the wild-card round, the Eagles mustered just 307 total yards in a 23-19 loss on Sunday. Two days later, they’re looking for a new offensive leader. Depending on how the HC hiring cycle unfolds, either Stefanski or Kingsbury could end up as Sirianni’s choice to revive a stagnant offense in 2026.
Vikings’ ‘No. 1 Priority’ Will Be Retaining DC Brian Flores
Brian Flores is a coaching free agent. While the Vikings have wanted to extend their three-year defensive coordinator, no deal has emerged. Minnesota has seen HC and DC interest come Flores’ way as this year’s coaching carousel starts.
A report Monday indicated the Vikings were confident they can retain their DC, and Kevin O’Connell has since called doing so the team’s “No. 1 priority.” Flores’ contract officially expires Wednesday, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Once it does, the Vikings cannot block him from DC interviews.
“I think he’s more than deserving, everything he’s brought to our organization over these last three years,” O’Connell said, via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Emily Leiker. “Not surprised people are wanting to talk to him about that role. Excited for him to do so, all while knowing our No. 1 priority — really before the season even ended — our No. 1 priority has been to get that thing done with him.”
Thus far, Flores has received one HC interview; he met with the Ravens today. The Commanders have made it known they want to meet with him about their DC vacancy. Other teams surely have him on their radar as well.
Flores coached linebackers with the Steelers in 2022, with Pittsburgh becoming a fallback option after the former Dolphins HC sued the NFL and three teams (now four) for discrimination. That lawsuit is ongoing, complicating Flores’ road back to a head coaching opportunity, though Mike Tomlin vacating the Steelers’ HC chair could lead to an interview. Eight other teams are filling their HC posts, and the coordinator carousel will ignite as those top jobs are filled. That will undoubtedly lead to more Flores buzz.
Flores, 44, has indicated an openness to working another deal out with the Vikings. But he has fared well enough as their DC big offers — perhaps on the Vic Fangio level — could emerge soon. If Flores does leave, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said (via Leiker) he would not expect much scheme change. This could point to DBs coach Daronte Jones — a rumored successor option — being promoted. Jones is, however, in play for the Cowboys and Jets’ DC jobs.