Titans, Cardinals fill head coaching vacancies. Tennessee and Arizona were the last two NFL clubs searching for new head coaches (discounting Detroit and Indianapolis, which will hire Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels, respectively, when the Super Bowl concludes), and both teams hired former defensive coordinators with only one year of experience last week. The Titans settled on ex-Texans DC Mike Vrabel, who is still filling out his staff after missing out on defensive play-caller James Bettcher. The Cardinals, meanwhile, landed former Panthers DC Steve Wilks, who has already hired Mike McCoy to lead Arizona’s offense and Al Holcomb to run the club’s defense.
Panthers begin general manager search. While the Panthers fired Dave Gettleman last July, they’re just now starting the process of filling their general manager vacancy. Interim GM Marty Hurney led the club’s front office during the 2017 campaign, and he’s still considered the frontrunner for the job. However, Carolina also plans to interview the Texans’ Jimmy Raye III and the Browns’ Lake Dawson. Titans executive Ryan Cowden is also viewed as a candidate, but no meeting has yet been arranged.
Jarvis Landry approaches free agency. While Landy figures to be one of the top wide receivers available when the free agent market opens in March, the Dolphins reportedly haven’t made much of an effort to retain him. Landry, who has previously called Miami’s negotiating tactics “disrespectful,” has told his inner circle that he doesn’t expect to re-sign with the Dolphins this offseason. The two sides exchanged offers in December, but the club has to counter Landry’s most recent proposal. The Ravens, meanwhile, discussed a Landry trade with Miami last season, meaning Baltimore could be a potential landing spot for the slot receiver.
Vince McMahon reboots XFL. 17 years after it disbanded, the XFL is back, as McMahon last week announced plans to re-open the league beginning in 2020. Initially, the venture will be comprised of eight teams with 40-man rosters, although no host cities have yet been announced. In order to compete with the NFL, the XFL feature fewer commercial breaks and move at a fast pace than the signature football league. The real question, then, is when He Hate Me will make his debut.
Bills center Eric Wood is forced to retire. In a devastating bit of news from last week, Wood will be forced to retire due to a severe neck injury. Wood, 31, has been a solid pivot during his nine-year career, and had appeared in all 16 games in four of the past five seasons. His absence will add yet another entry to Buffalo’s list of offseason needs, and could also complicate the Bills’ salary cap.