Cowboys Block Eagles From OC Interview With Klayton Adams
The Eagles are currently on the search for their next offensive coordinator after parting ways with Kevin Patullo following his first year in the role. They’ve spread their search pretty far and wide with over nine interviews requested so far, but it seems their reach fell just short in one rival city. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Philadelphia requested to interview Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams for the same role with the Eagles but saw their request blocked by Dallas. 
It’s true that teams are allowed to block other teams from hiring away coaches under contract with them in what would be a lateral move elsewhere. It’s fairly common and fully justifiable. There is a slight change in thinking sometimes, though, when it comes to the responsibility of calling plays. While Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni both come from offensive backgrounds, Schottenheimer calls the offensive plays in Dallas, while Sirianni trusts that role to his offensive coordinator.
Typically, if an offensive coordinator currently serves under a head coach who calls plays for the offense, it is not necessarily considered a lateral move to interview for a job elsewhere in which they would have the opportunity to call plays. The organization usually allows for interviews like that to occur. For instance, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher (under play-calling head coach Zac Taylor) was permitted to interview with the Buccaneers, where defensive-minded Todd Bowles serves as head coach. In Tennessee, Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich (under play-calling head coach Matt LaFleur) was permitted to interview with the Titans, under defensive-minded Robert Saleh.
The Eagles also requested interviews with current coordinators on the Colts and Bears, knowing that Shane Steichen and Ben Johnson both call the offensive plays for their respective teams. Both requests were reportedly granted, so Philadelphia should soon be able to schedule their eighth and ninth interviews for the offensive coordinator position. Of all the teams not replacing head coaches who saw requests to interview their offensive coordinator who currently does not get to call plays, the Cowboys are the only team to have blocked the requested interview.
Now, this could be plainly due to a fierce divisional rivalry, with strategy provoking a “hands off” response. The other possibility is that the Cowboys truly value Adams and what he brings to an offense that finished with the second-most yards gained in the NFL and the seventh-most points scored. Surely, at some point in his career, Adams will want to earn his wings as an offensive coordinator at some point with the opportunity to call plays, but as someone who has spent most of his career coaching tight ends and offensive line and has never called plays before, he may not quite be ready for that role.
So, for now, Adams will continue to work in his role for the Cowboys with Schottenheimer calling plays for one of the league’s most potent offenses. The Eagles will have to continue searching elsewhere for their next offensive coordinator and play caller.
Brian Daboll Prefers Titans’ OC Job If Unable To Land HC Post?
JANUARY 25: The Titans “would like to hire Daboll ASAP,” Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes (video link). It remains to be seen if a return to Buffalo or a Raiders hire will be possible in Daboll’s case. Failing that, a mutual coordinator interest in the case of the Titans clearly exists.
JANUARY 21: Brian Daboll is officially part of the Bills‘ head coaching interview process, receiving a request Wednesday. He will meet with his former team about replacing Sean McDermott. Like Mike McDaniel, however, the recently fired HC is in the mix for multiple coordinator positions.
The Eagles interviewed Daboll for their OC job, but they do not appear to be his preferred choice. If Daboll is unable to land the Buffalo HC job, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes he would prefer to end up in Tennessee as Titans OC. The Eagles view Daboll as wanting to return to Buffalo, which certainly makes sense seeing as he is a Western New York native. HC salaries also dwarf coordinator money, in most cases. But a Titans-over-Eagles preference intrigues.
Philadelphia has tremendous talent on that side of the ball, but this is the team’s fourth OC search in four years. The Eagles fired both Brian Johnson and Kevin Patullo after one season apiece, and headlines regarding disgruntled players — A.J. Brown chief among them — have been regular occurrences since the team’s Super Bowl LVII appearance. That said, both Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore have used Philly OC gigs as springboards to HC opportunities.
Tennessee, conversely, has been one of the league’s worst operations over this span. Amy Adams Strunk’s decision to fire Mike Vrabel backfired, and Brian Callahan was done after 23 games. The Titans have hired Robert Saleh, who was believed to be targeting a McDaniel reunion for his OC plan. The Chargers, who interviewed Daboll for their OC job, scuttled that plan by tabbing McDaniel to call plays under Jim Harbaugh. Daboll, however, has come up as a candidate as well. It is believed he will have options despite the downward-trending Giants tenure ending with an in-season firing. The Eagles and Titans aren’t the only teams “pushing hard” to land him as OC, Russini adds.
The Titans will present coordinator options with 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward to develop. Not too much is around Ward presently, with Calvin Ridley expected to be released, but the AFC South team is projected to hold more than $93MM in cap space. No team outflanks them there presently, but after back-to-back three-win seasons, the Titans obviously have plenty of work to do.
More OC jobs will open up as HC posts are filled. The Ravens’ OC job, in particular would provide considerable intrigue, and it is worth wondering if Daboll would consider reprising his role as Bills OC if he is passed over for the HC job. The Titans interviewed Daboll for their HC position, going with Saleh as their retread of choice. Yet, Daboll remains interested in relocating to Nashville. He may need to choose a destination before the Bills determine their OC, but for now, teams are waiting on Daboll’s HC fate in Buffalo.
Nick Sirianni has not called plays in Philly since midway through the 2021 season, providing an interesting opportunity. But with Daboll not believed to want this job, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes the Eagles may need to cast a wider net after their top targets — Daboll and McDaniel — are likely unavailable.
It is not known if Sirianni will give full autonomy to any candidate, McLane adds, but that would have happened with Daboll or McDaniel. The latter did end up interviewing virtually for the Eagles’ job, per the Inquirer’s EJ Smith, but chose the Bolts.
Arthur Smith Departing NFL For Ohio State OC Job
In the wake of the news of Mike McCarthy‘s agreement to become the next head coach of the Steelers, Pittsburgh’s incumbent offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has some plans of his own. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Smith is expected to be named the next offensive coordinator at Ohio State. 
This marks a departure not only from Pittsburgh – as could be expected – but the NFL coaching ranks altogether. Smith received a head coaching interview request from the Cardinals as part of their ongoing search. He also spoke with the Titans before Robert Saleh was hired. Even in the absence of a second NFL HC opportunity, Smith loomed as an offensive coordinator candidate elsewhere in the league.
The 43-year-old interviewed with the Chargers and Titans for their respective OC vacancies. Tennessee’s remains open at this time, but instead of a potential return Smith will now spend at least one season at the college level. He is the latest veteran coach to join Ryan Day‘s Buckeyes staff.
Diana Russini of The Athletic notes Smith had been in contact with the Titans but also the Eagles. Philadelphia moved on from Kevin Patullo after the team’s wild-card loss in a decision which came as no surprise. The team does not have a replacement in place at this time, and Smith had not previously been linked to Philadelphia’s OC gig or any other positions under Nick Sirianni.
After a lengthy run on the Titans’ staff in a number of roles, Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator. He held that position for two years and parlayed his time leading Tennessee’s offense into a head coaching opportunity. Smith guided the Falcons for three seasons, posting a 7-10 record each year. Upon being fired, he immediately landed another OC gig by joining Mike Tomlin and the Steelers in 2024.
Pittsburgh posted similar numbers on offense this season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback as the team did with a combination of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields under center. Once Tomlin stepped aside, the door was opened to widespread staff changes during this year’s hiring cycle. Smith’s departure confirms the Steelers will be among the teams hiring a new offensive coordinator in the near future. He handled play-calling duties during his Pittsburgh tenure, but it would come as no surprise if McCarthy did so upon arrival.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Dolphins Interview Clint Hurtt For DC
As he works to assemble his first staff with the Dolphins, Jeff Hafley has identified Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt as a defensive coordinator candidate. The Dolphins have interviewed Hurtt for the position, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Hafley’s interest in Hurtt suggests incumbent Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is on his way out, which isn’t a surprise. Weaver is a candidate for a handful of head coaching jobs. If he doesn’t land any of those, he’ll likely serve as an assistant on another staff in 2026.
If Hurtt takes over for Weaver, it would represent a homecoming of sorts for the 47-year-old. Hurtt is a former Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle who began his coaching career there in 2003 as a graduate assistant.
After going on to coach defensive lines at Miami, FIU and Louisville, Hurtt got his start in the NFL as the Bears’ assistant D-line coach in 2014. He became the Bears’ outside linebackers coach the next season and stayed in Chicago through 2016.
Hurtt’s tenure in the Windy City led to prominent roles on Pete Carroll‘s staff in Seattle. He served as the Seahawks’ assistant head coach and DL coach from 2017-21, and then Carroll promoted him to defensive coordinator. The results left plenty to be desired, though. The Seahawks’ defense ranked 25th in scoring in back-to-back seasons under Hurtt. The unit also finished 26th in yards in 2022 and 30th in 2023.
With Mike Macdonald replacing Carroll as the Seahawks’ head coach in 2024, Hurtt joined coordinator Vic Fangio‘s defensive staff with the Eagles. Part of a Super Bowl-winning team in his first year in Philadelphia, Hurtt has overseen two straight Pro Bowl campaigns for Jalen Carter. Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Milton Williams (now a Patriot) are among other D-linemen who have held their own on Hurtt’s watch over the past couple of years.
Whether the Dolphins hire Hurtt or another candidate, Hafley has made clear that he will call defensive plays in 2026, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
“it’s really important to me,” Hafley said. “The details will be exactly how I want them.”
The Dolphins hired Hafley after a successful two-year stint as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator. The Packers were especially effective in 2024, when they ranked sixth in scoring defense and fifth in yards allowed. Hafley and his coordinator choice will have their work cut out in attempting to turn around a Miami defense that finished 24th and 22nd in those respective categories in 2025.
Cowboys Hire Christian Parker As DC
The Cowboys are hiring Eagles secondary coach and passing game coordinator Christian Parker as their next defensive coordinator, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The two sides agreed to a deal on Thursday afternoon, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Parker, 34, has spent the last two years in Philadelphia coaching a strong secondary featuring ascending cornerback duo Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. In 2024, the Eagles were the NFL’s best passing defense, and though they were not quite as dominant this season, they ranked eighth in yards and seventh in yards per attempt while allowing the fewest touchdowns. The Cowboys, in contrast, ranked 32nd in the first two categories and 31st in the third, which was one of the primary factors in firing their last defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus.
Parker’s arrival in Dallas completes an impressive ascension from Division II defensive assistant to NFL defensive coordinator. He began his coaching career in 2014 as a defensive backs coach at Virginia State and moved up to the same job at FCS Norfolk State in 2016. His first job with a major program came at Notre Dame as a defensive analyst in 2017; the following year, he took the same position at Texas A&M.
Having beefed up his college resume, Parker made the jump into the NFL as a defensive quality control coach under then-Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. (A stunning amount of former Pettine assistants are landing head coach and coordinator jobs this cycle.) He then moved to Denver where he played a key role in the development of future Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain.
In Dallas, Parker will be tasked with reforming one of the NFL’s worst defense from last season. Their stunning decision to trade Micah Parsons to the Packers did not just demolish the Cowboys’ pass rush, it severely hinder their run defense, too. Part of the return from that deal was Kenny Clark, who did not make a consistent impact. The same is true of Quinnen Williams after he arrived at the trade deadline. The team also parted ways with Trevon Diggs at the end of the season and needs to revamp their secondary, which was likely a major motivator in bringing in Parker.
Falcons Request Joe Douglas GM Meeting
The NFL currently does not feature a second-chance GM. The two most recent such execs — Trent Baalke, Tom Telesco — were fired early in the 2025 offseason. But the Falcons will consider one.
Atlanta sent an interview request to Philadelphia staffer Joe Douglas, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. The former Jets GM has settled back into a role on Howie Roseman‘s Eagles staff, as a senior personnel director; this marks his first interview request since his 2024 Jets firing.
Matt Ryan is heading up the Falcons’ front office, and Kevin Stefanski is helping guide the team to a GM. This setup will naturally make this GM role less impactful than most others. But with Ryan not having any experience, the Falcons are naturally seeking a seasoned staffer to pair with he and Stefanski.
Douglas, 49, was part of Roseman’s Super Bowl LII-winning front office before landing the Jets’ GM job in 2019. Douglas took that job after the Jets had a head coach (Adam Gase) in place. The Jets fired Gase following the 2020 season, giving Douglas the chance to hire his own coach. That became Robert Saleh in 2021, and this partnership became memorable for the wrong reasons.
Although the arrangement deteriorated in 2024, the Jets did build a strong defense during Douglas’ time. Douglas was not in place for the team’s Quinnen Williams draft choice, but he did select Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald. Douglas also was in place when the Jets added All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams and steady cornerback starter D.J. Reed. Douglas drafted Garrett Wilson as well, though another Wilson he chose came to define his tenure.
Douglas made the mistake of trading Sam Darnold upon earning the 2021 No. 2 overall pick. That became Zach Wilson, a megabust who largely sank Saleh’s tenure. The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers in 2023, and after the all-time great’s Achilles tear prompted Woody Johnson to give Saleh and Douglas a mulligan, the owner fired both in 2024. Johnson fired Saleh without Douglas’ approval in October 2024 and then canned Douglas, after largely stripping the GM of power that year, weeks later. This period included the infamous Madden-rating story involving Johnson, one that prompted Douglas to allegedly say he “answer(ed) to a teenager (Brick Johnson). The Eagles rehired Douglas in May.
With the Falcons announcing their interviews with James Liipfert and Andy Weidl are complete, here is how their GM search looks so far:
- Mike Bradway, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): Interview requested
- Joe Douglas, senior personnel director (Eagles): Interview requested
- James Liipfert, assistant general manager (Texans): Interviewed 1/22
- Andy Weidl, assistant general manager (Steelers): Interviewed 1/22
- Josh Williams, director of scouting and football operations (49ers): Interview requested
Eagles Submit OC Interview Request For Declan Doyle
Mike McDaniel is in position to become the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator. Zac Robinson, meanwhile, has reached an agreement to take on the OC gig with the Buccaneers.
Both of them were Eagles targets regarding their offensive coordinator vacancy. The team’s list of candidates to replace Kevin Patullo continues to grow, however. Philadelphia has submitted an interview request for Bears OC Declan Doyle, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
This marks the first time Doyle has been linked to another team’s coordinator opening. A move to Philadelphia’s staff would technically not be a lateral one since Bears head coach Ben Johnson handled play-calling duties during his first season leading the team. The Eagles’ next OC will likely be tasked with calling plays, although head coach Nick Sirianni‘s level of involvement on offense in 2026 remains to be seen.
Doyle began his coaching career in 2016 as a student assistant at Iowa. After three years in that role, he made the jump to the NFL. Following a four-year Saints tenure, Doyle joined Sean Payton in Denver in 2023; he spent two seasons as the Broncos’ tight ends coach. Doyle’s first coordinator opportunity came during last year’s hiring cycle when he joined Johnson’s initial Bears staff.
The possibility of numerous Chicago departures was raised shortly before the coaching carousel began spinning in 2026. Eric Bieniemy is indeed set to reprise his role as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, and other changes could be coming soon as well. Doyle will also be a name to watch in the wake of Chicago’s highly successful campaign.
Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand for the Eagles:
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Interview requested
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/20
- Declan Doyle, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interview requested
- Josh Grizzard, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): To interview
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/17
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Matt Nagy, former offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/21/26
Today’s reserve/futures deals:
Atlanta Falcons
- TE Joshua Simon
Chicago Bears
- TE Qadir Ismail
Las Vegas Raiders
- LS Alex Ward
Los Angeles Rams
- S Nate Valcarcel
Miami Dolphins
- LB Seth Coleman
Philadelphia Eagles
- TE Jaheim Bell
San Francisco 49ers
Eagles Interview Matt Nagy For OC
The Chiefs’ expected rehire of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator complicates Matt Nagy‘s path. He had been viewed as the frontrunner for the Titans’ HC job, which would have brought a reunion with Mike Borgonzi, but Robert Saleh ended up being Tennessee’s choice. Nagy resides in limbo presently.
Turning down a Chiefs extension offer in 2025, Nagy is a coaching free agent. He is still connected to a few available HC jobs — the Cardinals, Ravens and Raiders’ positions — but a coordinator post also has come up. The Eagles interviewed Nagy for their OC job, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.
Nagy began his NFL career in Philadelphia, interning under Andy Reid before moving to the quality control level in 2011. Nagy followed Reid to Kansas City and linked back up with the coaching legend after a four-year Bears HC stint. Nagy spent the past three seasons as the Chiefs’ OC.
Reid has called the plays in Kansas City, but Nagy was nonetheless a key member of a staff that won two Super Bowls and booked a third straight trip to the dance in 2024. The Eagles wound up beating Kansas City in a lopsided affair last year, and the Chiefs’ long-running dominance of the AFC West came to a screeching halt this season. At 6-11, the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
The Eagles won 11 games and returned to the playoffs, but their Kevin Patullo-led offense sputtered for most of the season. As part of a passing attack that finished 23rd in the league, wide receiver A.J. Brown made his frustration known on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, with Saquon Barkley‘s rushing total falling from 2,005 yards during an electric 2024 to 1,140 this year, the Eagles’ offense ranked an underwhelming 19th in scoring and 24th in yards.
Philadelphia’s offensive struggles continued during a one-and-done postseason. The 49ers knocked the Eagles out of the wild-card round in a 23-19 contest. The Eagles gained just 308 yards that afternoon, and head coach Nick Sirianni quickly removed Patullo from the offensive coordinator position after one season.
Sirianni has been on the job since 2021, but he’s already seeking his fifth OC. Shane Steichen, Brian Johnson, Kellen Moore and Patullo were his first four choices. The Eagles lost Steichen (Colts) and Moore (Saints) to head coaching positions, while the Johnson and Patullo promotions fell flat.
Here’s a look at where the Eagles’ latest OC search stands:
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Interview requested
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/20
- Josh Grizzard, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): To interview
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/17
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview; expected to become Chargers OC
- Matt Nagy, former offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis Among Eagles’ Extension Priorities
The Eagles are heading into the 2026 offseason with a number of extension candidates, and defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter could be at the top of general manager Howie Roseman‘s list, per Zach Berman and Brooks Kubena of The Athletic.
The Georgia products were drafted by the Eagles in the first round of back-to-back drafts – Davis in 2022 and Carter in 2023. Davis had a quiet rookie year before emerging as a starter in his second year. Pre-draft concerns about his conditioning seemed to be validated as the team carefully managed his snap count in 2024, but he played 61% of the team’s snaps in 2025. That corresponded with career-highs across the board, giving Philadelphia plenty of reason to pursue an extension.
The Eagles picked up Davis’ fifth-year option – worth $12.94MM – so an extension would clear up some 2026 cap space. The same is not true for Carter, who is set for a $6.94MM cap hit that could go up depending on the size of his signing bonus. The team also has to make a decision on his fifth year option, which is currently projected to be $21.04MM, per OverTheCap. Given the rapidly-escalating price of interior pass rushers, that would be a bargain for an additional year of Carter’s services,
Carter has already become one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the game, while Davis’ expanded production proves he is more than just a massive run-stopper in the middle of the defense. That should push the combined price of the duo over $50MM per year and potentially as high as $60MM.
The Eagles also have Nolan Smith‘s fifth-year option to consider. He would cost $15MM in 2027, a good price for an edge rusher. However, Roseman may not be as motivated to pursue a long-term deal with Smith as he failed to even match his 2024 breakout season in 2025.