Joe Schoen’s Status Factoring Into Giants’ Delay With John Harbaugh?
Early in the Giants’ John Harbaugh courtship, a rumor suggested the high-profile HC free agent would not have an issue working with GM Joe Schoen. The Giants are planning to retain Schoen, but the embattled exec’s status may be a factor in Harbaugh’s deal not being done yet.
As of Friday afternoon, the deal is not done. The sides were working on contract language this morning, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds money is not believed to be an issue. Harbaugh is expected to receive a deal in the $20MM-per-year range, which will place him among the NFL’s highest-paid HCs.
But an issue may be forming with regard to organizational power. Rumblings have emerged Schoen’s role in the Giants’ new setup has been a partial cause of this delay, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard. Harbaugh, 63, was believed to have a Titans offer in place. He also appeared to be the Falcons’ top choice, and the Browns wanted to meet with him. This created considerable leverage, and it should translate to the 18-year HC veteran having at least some personnel say.
Schoen certainly is not in a position to win a power struggle here, but he is believed to have spoken with Harbaugh many times since his Ravens firing. That would point to the four-year Giants GM being in the team’s Harbaugh-era plan, but Leonard adds several sources informed him Harbaugh would likely want Schoen gone or at least see the GM’s power reduced. This could lead to a setup with Harbaugh carrying final personnel say, should he want it.
The Giants are prepared to give Harbaugh a monster deal to succeed Brian Daboll, who had come over from Buffalo with Schoen. It would be odd for Giants ownership, who needed to confirm Schoen was merely keeping his job for 2025, to back a GM who has yet to produce a 10-win season. There are likely more factors at play here, but Schoen’s role being one of them is interesting.
Any Harbaugh proposed changes to Schoen-overseen departments were expected to “create discomfort” during the process, per Leonard. Schoen’s modernization of the Giants’ operation was believed to be a selling point for the team, which kept him after firing Daboll in November. Potential moves to remove staffers with ties to ownership, with the potential for Harbaugh to bring in some of his own people, also loom as an issue.
We have seen new coaching hires lead to GM changes recently. The Jaguars booted Trent Baalke because his presence running their HC search was impeding a chance to hire strong candidates, and Liam Coen signed on shortly after that firing. In 2019, the Jets fired Mike Maccagnan after his first draft with new HC hire Adam Gase. In 2017, the Bills made the same move with Doug Whaley, ousting him months after hiring Sean McDermott. Eventually, GMs handpicked by the coaches — Joe Douglas, Brandon Beane — arrived in those AFC East cities post-draft.
Schoen said he did not envision his presence hurting the Giants’ GM search, and Harbaugh making New York his first visit pointed to a future working with Schoen. But this process dragging on has certainly become interesting. Considering the role Schoen has played in the Harbaugh search, it would surprise if the Giants traveled down this road. But this will be a situation to monitor as the team continues work on hammering out the expected HC’s contract.
Wink Martindale, Jim Leonhard, DeMarcus Covington Among Jets’ DC Interviewees
The Jets’ defensive coordinator search has flown under the radar during a frenzied HC carousel, but it has taken shape Friday. The team announced eight candidates for the job.
In addition to interim DC Chris Harris, seven others received interviews. Don Martindale (Michigan), Jim Leonhard (Broncos), Ephraim Banda (Browns), Jim O’Neil (Lions), DeMarcus Covington (Packers), Daronte Jones (Vikings) and Mathieu Araujo (Dolphins) interviewed for the position.
Harris was reported as being likely to interview to keep the job, one he took on after the Steve Wilks firing, and Martindale came up as a candidate as well. The Jets submitted an interview request for Jones. Otherwise, their actions have been pretty quiet on this front.
Entering his rookie season as a head coach, Aaron Glenn tapped the experienced Wilks as his first defensive coordinator. The decision worked out so poorly that Glenn gave Wilks the ax in mid-December. Wilks lost his job the day after a 48-20 blowout loss to the Jaguars in Week 15.
The results didn’t necessarily improve in three games under Harris, who opened 2025 as the team’s defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. With Harris taking over for Wilks, the Jets surrendered a combined 106 points in losses to the Saints, Patriots and Bills.
Although Buffalo rested most of its key offensive players in Week 18, its Mitchell Trubisky-quarterbacked offense still teed off on the Jets for 470 total yards and 35 points. The Jets didn’t pick off Trubisky in that game, clinching an interception-less season for their defense. They became the first team to achieve that ignominious feat. While Harris is at least receiving consideration for a promotion to the full-time job, it would be a surprise to see the Jets choose him over the rest of the candidates.
Nobody from this octet carries more experience than the 62-year-old Martindale, most recently a D-coordinator at Michigan over the past two seasons. He has been a DC in the NFL for three teams – the Broncos (2010), the Ravens (2018-21) and the Giants (2022-23). Martindale’s Giants tenure ended after a rift with then-head coach Brian Daboll. The two got into a fiery confrontation before parting ways.
O’Neil and Covington join Martindale as former D-coordinators in the NFL. A defensive assistant in Detroit since 2024, O’Neil handled DC duties in Cleveland from 2014-15 and in San Francisco in 2016. He’s also a former Jets coach, having worked in multiple roles under Rex Ryan from 2009-12. Covington was the Patriots’ DC in 2024 under one-and-done head coach Jerod Mayo. He’s now the Packers’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator.
An NFL safety from 2005-2014, Leonhard spent three seasons as a member of Ryan’s defense in New York. The 43-year-old started his coaching career with Wisconsin in 2016. He worked as the Badgers’ DC from 2017-22.
Leonhard is now in his second season with the Broncos, who hired him as a defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator last year. Sean Payton promoted Leonhard to assistant head coach this season. With the top-seeded Broncos chasing a championship, Leonhard may be a few weeks away from earning a Super Bowl ring as a key part of their staff. He’s also on the Cowboys’ radar as they search for a new D-coordinator.
Banda and Jones are also in the mix for the Dallas job. Previously a college DC at Miami and Utah State, Banda has been the Browns’ safeties coach since 2023. Jones, LSU’s coordinator in 2021, has coached in the pros with the Dolphins, Bengals and Vikings since 2016. He started his second Vikings stint in 2022 and has worked as a defensive pass game coordinator under DC Brian Flores since 2023. Flores, whose contract has expired, could leave for another job as a head coach or an assistant. If that happens, the Vikings may promote Jones to replace Flores.
Araujo was on the Yale staff before then-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel hired him as an assistant DBs coach in 2022. He spent the past two seasons as Miami’s cornerbacks coach, but Araujo’s future is uncertain in the wake of McDaniel’s firing. If the Jets don’t hire Araujo and the Dolphins’ next head coach doesn’t retain him, he’ll have to look elsewhere in 2026.
More to come.
Bills Activate DT Ed Oliver, WR Curtis Samuel From IR
Buffalo is welcoming back a couple of reinforcements in time for Saturday’s divisional round matchup with Denver. The Bills have activated defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receiver Curtis Samuel from injured reserve.
Oliver’s seventh NFL season began auspiciously with a standout performance in a win over the Ravens in Week 1. However, after suffering a foot injury in practice, he missed the Bills’ next four games.
Oliver returned to play in two before tearing his biceps, an injury that forced him to IR on Oct. 28. The 28-year-old ended his regular season with 12 tackles, 11 pressures, seven TFL, five QB hits and three sacks in three games.
Although Oliver was only on the field for 108 defensive snaps during the regular season, Pro Football Focus assigned him a 90.4 grade against the run. Despite largely going without Oliver, the Bills’ defense finished with respectable marks in yards and points allowed (seventh and 12th, respectively). They struggled to stop the run without Oliver, though. Only four teams allowed more rushing yards than Buffalo during the regular season.
The Bills’ problems against the run continued in a wild-card round win over the Jaguars last week. The Jags rumbled for 154 yards on 23 attempts. Oliver’s return should give the Bills a better chance of preventing a similar showing from the Broncos’ ground game this week.
It’s unclear how many snaps Oliver will play following a layoff of two-plus months, especially after he underwent a meniscus cleanup in late December. Assuming he plays Saturday, though, Oliver will rejoin an interior group that also relies heavily on fellow veteran DaQuan Jones and a pair of rookies in Deone Walker and T.J. Sanders.
Samuel, who has been out since mid-November with an elbow injury, has disappointed during the first two seasons of a three-year, $24MM contract. The former Panther and Commander played in six regular-season games in 2025 and caught just seven passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. His return is nonetheless welcome for a Buffalo team whose receiving corps has offered lackluster production all year. Adding to the Bills’ problems at receiver, they lost two contributors, Tyrell Shavers and Gabriel Davis, to torn ACLs in Jacksonville.
Along with activating Oliver and Samuel, the Bills have elevated receiver Mecole Hardman and running back Frank Gore Jr. from their practice squad. Hardman will join Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks as the Bills’ receivers in Denver.
Gore’s elevation suggests the Bills will go a second straight game without third-down back Ty Johnson, who’s questionable with an ankle injury. Working behind James Cook and Ray Davis, Gore caught one pass for six yards against the Jags.
Texans WR Nico Collins Remains In Concussion Protocol, Will Miss Divisional Round
If the Texans upend the Patriots on Sunday, they’ll advance to the AFC title game for the first time in franchise history. The Texans will have to do it without their best offensive weapon. Wide receiver Nico Collins will miss the divisional round with a concussion, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 relays.
Collins suffered his injury in a 30-6 drubbing of the Steelers in a wild-card round matchup on Monday. After seeing Collins carted off the field in Pittsburgh, it’s unsurprising he hasn’t cleared concussion protocol on a short week. The 26-year-old hasn’t practiced at all this week.
Collins may have a better chance to return next week, but it’ll be a moot point if fifth-seeded Houston doesn’t go on the road to defeat second-seeded New England. While Collins has thrived on the offensive side, an elite defense that ranked first in yards and second in points during the regular season has carried the Texans this far.
Houston’s defensive dominance continued against the Steelers, who managed just 175 yards of offense. The Texans scored two defensive touchdowns and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times. Another stellar defensive performance may be needed in a meeting with the Patriots and MVP-contending quarterback Drake Maye.
Collins earned his second straight Pro Bowl nod this year after hauling in 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. Tight end Dalton Schultz caught more passes (82), but Collins either led or co-led the Texans in the other two categories. With Collins out of commission, the Texans’ C.J. Stroud-led passing game with likely rely more on Schultz, Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, and Xavier Hutchinson.
The Texans also won’t have depth receiver Justin Watson, who joins Collins in concussion protocol. Either Braxton Berrios or practice squad wideout Jared Wayne could take Watson’s roster spot, Wilson notes.
Falcons Schedule Joe Brady HC Interview
Joe Brady will attempt to help the Bills to a second straight AFC championship game Saturday. On Sunday, two head coach interviews await the Buffalo offensive coordinator.
Brady’s Ravens meeting will take place then, while NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds the Falcons will also meet with Brady about their HC post. Brady has now been connected to the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens’ HC positions.
A Falcons connection would have formed previously, with ex-Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot in New Orleans when Brady worked on Sean Payton‘s staff. But the Falcons fired Fontenot earlier this month. They will still meet with Brady, who is finishing his second full season as Bills OC.
Last year’s coaching carousel included Brady meetings with the Bears, Jaguars, Jets and Saints. A second New Orleans meeting was on the radar, but Brady joined Kliff Kingsbury and Mike McCarthy in pulling out of that search. Brady, 36, follows Brian Daboll as a Josh Allen play-caller to land on HC carousels. He joins Kingsbury, Kevin Stefanski and Mike McDaniel as recent play-callers drawing considerable interest on this year’s cycle. Brady, though, does not carry the HC experience that trio does.
Like Kingsbury in 2025, Brady could be choosey due to Allen’s status as probably the game’s best quarterback. Kingsbury, who chose to stay and mentor Jayden Daniels for a second season, saw his philosophy clash with the front office and Dan Quinn. Sean McDermott backed Brady after a midseason Bills swoon, and the team has again ranked highly — despite some issues staffing its wide receiver positions — on offense. Buffalo ranked fourth this season after a second-place 2024 scoring finish, with Allen having another strong campaign despite some receiver plans not working out. James Cook won the rushing title, marking the first Bills player to do so since O.J. Simpson 49 years ago.
The Falcons have more defense-minded candidates on their radar, but Brady joins McDaniel, Stefanski and Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak in the mix for this job. Stefanski, who has come up as a John Harbaugh backup plan, is expected to meet with the Falcons for a second interview soon.
Chargers Interview Brian Callahan For OC
Brian Callahan now appears on two teams’ offensive coordinator radars. The recently fired Titans coach discussed the Buccaneers’ play-calling position this week, and the Chargers came next.
The Bolts announced Callahan’s interview Friday. Callahan spent five years as the Bengals’ OC, a period that will help his cause more than the Titans HC tenure — one that ended after just 23 games.
This marks the first known external candidate for the Bolts’ OC post. The team previously interviewed pass-game coordinator Marcus Brady and QBs coach Shane Day for the role Greg Roman‘s firing vacated. Callahan, 41, has been an NFL staffer since 2010. He worked for the Broncos, Lions and Raiders before receiving the chance to work under Zac Taylor as Cincinnati’s OC.
Neither of Taylor’s top coordinators received too much HC consideration for years, which represented a bit of a surprise considering Cincinnati’s Super Bowl LVI appearance and berth in the following year’s AFC championship game. While Lou Anarumo called the shots on defense, Callahan served as a non-play-calling OC. Issues with play-calling and game management doomed him in Tennessee.
Prior to being canned 23 games into his tenure, Callahan handed the play sheet to QBs coach Bo Hardegree. When Callahan was fired, the Titans’ offense ranked 31st in the NFL. Granted, Tennessee only improved to 30th after Mike McCoy‘s interim stay. And the Chargers will gauge Callahan’s readiness. In Los Angeles, Jim Harbaugh serves as a CEO head coach. His Roman successor would call plays for a Justin Herbert-quarterbacked offense. That presents a strong draw, and bigger-name candidates — particularly as the HC carousel sorts itself out — figure to emerge soon.
Harbaugh employed Roman throughout his time in San Francisco and for two years in L.A., but the Chargers’ increasingly run-centric offense lost both its starting tackles — Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater — and then sputtered in a wild-card loss to the Patriots. Callahan impressed in his Bucs interview, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. It will be interesting to see if he advances far in this search and/or comes up in other OC searches yet to form.
Buccaneers Interview Steelers’ Danny Smith For ST Coordinator
The end of the Mike Tomlin era may lead to the end of the Danny Smith era in Pittsburgh. Tomlin resigned after a 19-year head coaching run on Tuesday, leaving Smith’s future as the Steelers’ special teams coordinator up in the air.
If Smith leaves Pittsburgh, he could land on his feet in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers held a virtual interview with Smith for their open ST coordinator position on Friday. He joins Craig Aukerman, Anthony Levine Sr., Michael Clay and Jett Modkins as known candidates for the job.
Tampa Bay is looking for a replacement for Thomas McGaughey, whom head coach Todd Bowles fired last week. McGaughey lasted just two seasons in Tampa Bay, whereas Smith has been a fixture in Pittsburgh. The gum-chewing 72-year-old has worked in the same role since 2013.
Previously with Buffalo for three years and Washington for nine, Smith has been an NFL special teams coordinator for 25 straight seasons. Adding in a four-year stint with Philadelphia from 1995-98, Smith has 29 years’ experience as an ST coordinator in the league.
Should he join the Buccaneers, Smith may end up on the same coaching staff as Mike McDaniel in 2026. The Bucs interviewed McDaniel in person for their offensive coordinator gig on Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN reports. As PFR’s Nikhil Mehta noted on Wednesday, the former head coach has been popular across the league since the Dolphins fired him on Jan. 8. As is the case with the Buccaneers, the Lions and Eagles are considering McDaniel for the OC role. Meanwhile, the Falcons, Ravens, Browns and Titans are interested in hiring him as a head coach.
Lions Notes: Branch, Campbell, Gibbs, LaPorta, Decker, Glasgow, Anzalone
Although the Lions went 9-8 and missed the playoffs, they have a champagne problem approaching on their roster. The 2023 draft produced four impact starters, delivering Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. All are now extension-eligible, with Gibbs and Campbell having fifth-year options that could move their contracts through 2027. Brad Holmes views all four as priorities.
“When me and Dan (Campbell} first started we said we’re going to take the path of draft, develop and sign our own, and I do think that, that has worked so far in terms of getting us to this point,” the sixth-year GM said (via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett), specifying Branch and LaPorta’s injuries do not affect their long-term statuses. “So yeah, those guys are priorities because they’re really good players. They represent everything that we’re about. So yeah, I would say that those are all priorities.”
Our Adam La Rose tackled this issue in a recent mailbag, and while it might be unrealistic for the Lions to retain all four, Holmes voicing support for it is interesting given the commitments the team has already made to core performers. The Lions have extended Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jared Goff, Taylor Decker, Alim McNeill, Jameson Williams and Aidan Hutchinson since April 2024. Gibbs has come up as a 2026 extension candidate, while Branch is unlikely to be paid in the offseason due to his December Achilles tear. Jack Campbell’s case is trickier due to no off-ball LB’s option being exercised since the Buccaneers’ Devin White move in 2022, but Campbell being a first-team All-Pro may change the equation. Otherwise, he would join Branch and LaPorta as contract-year players in 2026.
Here is the latest out of Detroit:
- Taylor Decker is planning to take multiple months to consider playing an 11th season. We heard in December Decker was considering retirement. The 10-year Lions left tackle played through a shoulder injury all season. “I need to make informed decisions,” Decker said, via Birkett. “I need to get second opinions. There’s a lot that I have to do, because I want to make this decision moving forward informed. And I don’t want to make it emotionally because if I make it emotionally, I already know what the answer is going to be.” Decker, who missed three games this season, is signed through 2027 via the three-year, $60MM deal he inked in 2024. The 32-year-old blocker has started 140 games, being part of a few top-tier Lions O-lines.
- Graham Glasgow and Dan Skipper are also considering walking away, according to Birkett. A back injury has prompted Skipper, 31, to consider retiring after nine NFL seasons. Sixty-six of the backup tackle’s 69 career games have come with Detroit. Glasgow could retire, per Birkett, if the Lions ditch his contract. Glasgow, who returned to Detroit in 2023 and succeeded Frank Ragnow at center this season, is due a nonguaranteed $6.5MM in the final year of his three-year, $20MM contract.
- Ragnow returned to the news cycle briefly in preparing to unretire, but a failed physical nixed that. The Lions did not go into last year’s draft knowing their All-Pro center would walk away, Holmes said (via ESPN.com’s Eric Woodyard). While Holmes acknowledged the team knew a Ragnow retirement was in play, he did not let the team know until May. Ragnow, 29, is expected to remain retired.
- LaPorta’s third season ended after Week 10 due to back surgery, but the extension candidate said (via Woodyard) he is aiming to be ready for OTAs. While Dan Campbell yanked the play sheet from OC John Morton before eventually firing him, LaPorta was on pace for his best season during the one-and-done OC’s time calling the shots. LaPorta averaged a career-best 54.3 yards per game in 2025.
- The Lions want to re-sign Alex Anzalone, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, but the veteran linebacker returning is being pegged as a 50-50 proposition. With a Campbell extension perhaps in the offing and the Lions having given Derrick Barnes a three-year, $24MM deal (which calls for $8MM guaranteed in 2026), money might be too tight to give Anzalone another deal. The ex-Saints draftee has been with the Lions throughout Campbell and Holmes’ five-year stays. An extension for Anzalone, 32, did not come up for the Lions last year.
Seahawks’ Sam Darnold Battling Oblique Injury, Expected To Play In Divisional Round
Playing the first season of a three-year, $100.5MM contract, quarterback Sam Darnold helped guide the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Seahawks are preparing for a rubber match against the NFC West rival 49ers on Saturday, but Darnold unexpectedly popped up on the injury report Thursday. He’s questionable with an oblique issue, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com.
Darnold, who said he “felt a little something” on his left side, practiced on a limited basis Thursday. The two-time Pro Bowler is fully confident he’ll play Saturday. If not, the Seahawks will turn to veteran backup Drew Lock. Considering Darnold hasn’t missed a game since 2023, it would be a major surprise to see Lock under center versus San Francisco.
Between his time with the Vikings last year and his work with the Seahawks this season, Darnold has helped his teams to an incredible 28-6 since 2024.
Once considered a bust, the former No. 3 overall pick of the Jets surpassed 4,000 yards for the second straight year in 2025. He ranked third in yards per attempt (8.5), threw 25 touchdowns and posted a 99.1 passer rating, though he did toss the third-most interceptions in the league (14).
Darnold didn’t throw a pick in either of the Seahawks-49ers regular-season matchups, which the teams split, but his production was unspectacular. He combined to go 36 of 49 for 348 yards and no touchdowns. Darnold will aim for better numbers in the teams’ third and final showdown of the season while attempting to rebound from an ugly playoff loss with the Vikings last January. The Rams sacked Darnold nine times in a 27-9 blowout in the wild-card round. He went 25 of 40 for 245 yards, a TD and a pick.
Darnold’s rough showing against the Rams ended his tenure with Minnesota, which allowed him to depart in free agency. Darnold’s Seahawks contract includes incentives that he has already collected, as Henderson details. Seattle’s offense finished eighth in the league, which earned Darnold $500K. He racked up another $500K in incentives for passing yards, completion rate and a playoff berth. Postseason win incentives are still on the table for Darnold, who will make his second career playoff start Saturday. That’s assuming his oblique injury doesn’t stand in the way.
Eagles Arrange Zac Robinson OC Interview
Zac Robinson drew extensive OC interest during the 2024 hiring period, but the Falcons are overhauling their football operation after firing Raheem Morris. Robinson is likely headed elsewhere, and he remains an interesting candidate.
After Buccaneers and Lions meetings, Robinson is set to speak with the Eagles about their OC vacancy, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Robinson will meet with Philadelphia today.
The Eagles have been connected to four former HCs for this job — Mike McDaniel, Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Daboll, Kevin Stefanski — but it is unclear if any will interview. Philly has also been mentioned as doing work on new LSU OC Charlie Weis Jr. Robinson, however, marks the first known meeting for this job.
Although Nick Sirianni is an offense-oriented coach, he has not called plays in Philly since midway through the 2021 season. The Eagles are planning to keep this setup, giving their OC hire autonomy over a talented offense — albeit one that has been known for odd-year underachievement. The Eagles fired (or perhaps demoted) Kevin Patullo this week, doing so two years after ousting Brian Johnson following his first season in the role.
Tasked with preparing Kirk Cousins to take over in 2024 while developing an entirely different passer in Michael Penix Jr., Robinson was seen as a firing candidate had Morris retained the Atlanta HC position. The Falcons ranked 24th offensively this season, one that featured Penix struggles before a season-ending injury. Though, Robinson coaxed a quality contract year from Kyle Pitts and had Bijan Robinson over 2,000 scrimmage yards — an NFL-leading 2,298 — for the first time. It would not appear Robinson will be asked back in Atlanta, but it also seems like there is enough early interest to allow for a second-chance OC post — rather than dropping back to a position coaching role.
Robinson, 39, also carries additional appeal from his background on Sean McVay‘s staff. Robinson spent five years on the Rams’ staff before following Morris to Atlanta. The Eagles have not used any ex-McVay or Kyle Shanahan staffers in their OC role just yet. Looking for their fifth OC in five years, the Eagles must interview at least one external minority candidate to comply with the Rooney Rule.