HEADLINES

Month: April 2024

Colts To Conduct Second HC Interview With Brian Callahan

January 30th, 2023 at 4:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan had drawn the interest of only one team needing a new head coach until earlier today. Now, though, he is set to be a finalist with the first squad to reach out to him.

The Colts are reaching out to Callahan to conduct a second interview with him, reports Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer (Twitter link). He adds that the sit-down could take place as soon as this Wednesday. In that event, it would precede his (first) interview with the Cardinals by one day.

Callahan, like Cincinnati DC Lou Anarumo, has put himself on the HC radar with his unit’s performances in recent years in particular. Part of head coach Zac Taylor‘s first Bengals staff in 2019, Callahan joined the AFC North squad following stints as the quarterbacks coach of the Lions and Raiders.

His first career OC gig began with underwhelming numbers, to say the least. The Bengals ranked 30th, then 29th in scoring in 2019 and 2020, as the team struggled during the opening campaigns of the Taylor era. Things started to change dramatically last year, however, as quarterback Joe Burrow began to turn into the MVP-caliber player he has since become. The Bengals ranked seventh in the league in points for each of the past two seasons, which has seen the franchise play in consecutive AFC title games and make one Super Bowl appearance.

Much of Cincinnati’s success has come through the air, with the team ranking top-10 in passing yards over that span but outside the top 20 in the NFL on the ground. That comes as little surprise, given the formidable presence of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd as wideouts. Callahan’s tenure has also seen strong play at the running back position, though, with Joe Mixon enjoying a career year in 2021.

Callahan interviewed for the first time with the Colts earlier this month as part of their lengthy search for their full-time bench boss. Controversial interim hire Jeff Saturday remains in the running despite the nature in which his brief tenure unfolded. Callahan represents one several other staffers being seriously considered alongside him, however.

Here is an updated look at the Colts’ search:

NFL Sets 2023 Salary Cap At $224.8MM

January 30th, 2023 at 3:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

In December, the NFL provided teams with its usual projection of the upcoming salary cap ceiling. Today, the final figure has been revealed. The 2023 cap will be set at $224.8MM, the league announced on Monday (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero).

That represents another all-time record in terms of what teams are allowed to spend this upcoming campaign, though that comes as no surprise given the league’s rebound from the recent financial constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This new number is also historic because it marks a rise of $16.6MM, the largest single-season jump of the salary cap era.

During the winter owners’ meetings, it was believed the 2023 figure would come in above the $220MM mark. That led to many teams and analysts using projected totals between $222.5MM and $225MM, so today’s announcement falls in line with what was expected. As of last offseason’s announcement for the final cap figure, it was widely expected that 2023 would be the year in which the ceiling would begin rising at an unprecedented rate.

The two chief factors in that, of course, are the revenues generated by the league’s 17th regular season game being implemented, and the new money coming in from the latest round of TV and streaming rights deals. Those long-term agreements have the league set up for sustained revenue growth, which should result in the expectation of similar spikes for years to come.

The 2022 offseason demonstrated how quickly positional markets can fluctuate. Wide receivers in particular saw a massive boost in value, with 14 wideouts now on contracts averaging at least $20MM per season. Quarterbacks, meanwhile, should be expected to continue their upward trajectory with the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert all eligible for long-term, big-ticket contracts.

As teams now prepare for free agency with more certainty regarding where they stand financially, here is a quick look back at how the cap has changed in recent years:

  • 2015: $143.28MM
  • 2016: $155.27MM
  • 2017: $167MM
  • 2018: $177.2MM
  • 2019: $188.2MM
  • 2020: $198.2MM
  • 2021: $182.5MM
  • 2022: $208.2MM

Cardinals Request HC Interviews With Lou Anarumo, Brian Callahan, Mike Kafka

January 30th, 2023 at 2:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:45pm: In addition to Anarumo and Callahan, the Cardinals are set to meet with Giants OC Mike Kafka, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). That makes Arizona the fourth team to show interest in him, a testament to how quickly he has risen up the ranks in league circles despite his relative lack of experience. The 35-year-old’s time as a coordinator began this past season, his first with the Giants. His success in leading the team to the divisional round to the playoffs may not be enough to land him a HC gig this year, but it will keep him squarely on the radar for years to come. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets that Kafka’s interview will take place tomorrow.

12:08pm: The Bengals’ success in 2022 led to increasing calls for each of the team’s top assistants to receive head coaching interest. One day after their loss in the AFC title game, both of Zac Taylor‘s most well-respected lieutenants have received requests for interviews.

The Cardinals are seeking an interview with both defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan (Twitter links via Peter Schrager and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). The former began his NFL coaching career in 2012 as a DBs coach with the Dolphins. He held that role throughout his six-year tenure there, operating as interim DC in 2015.

That led him to the Giants for a single season, then his first full-time coordinator gig with the Bengals in 2019. Like Taylor’s rookie campaign as a bench boss, that season saw the team put up underwhelming numbers. However, Cincinnati’s defense showed improvement from one year to the next in terms of both yards and points allowed. In 2022, the Bengals ranked 16th and sixth, respectively, in those categories.

Given their continued improvement under Anarumo, eyebrows were raised in the early part of this year’s head coaching cycle that no interest was shown in him. Teams have, traditionally, slanted towards offensive candidates though a number of highly-regarded defensive assistants have represented exceptions to that general rule. Anarumo could become the latest such example, as the Cardinals look for a significant step forward defensively in 2023 and beyond.

Callahan, likewise, has flown under the radar relative to several other candidates with an offensive background. The 38-year-old was installed as Cincinnati’s OC as part of Taylor’s initial staff in 2019, following time spent as an assistant with the Broncos, Lions and Raiders. His first coordinator role has been marked by a slow start in terms of production, but a sharp turnaround in recent years with the Bengals assembling one of the top offenses in the league.

Callahan has seen his unit deliver top-10 scoring performances for each of the past two seasons; the Bengals also had an elite showing in terms of yardage in 2022, ranking eighth in that department. Callahan has helped guide the development of the team’s young nucleus on offense, a group led by quarterback Joe Burrow, wideouts Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, and running back Joe Mixon. Their shared success earned Callahan a HC interview with the Colts earlier this month.

It was reported yesterday that the Cardinals are narrowing their list of candidates for second interviews in the event Sean Payton is not acquired. That makes the inclusion of Anarumo and Callahan somewhat surprising, given how late in the process the team appears to be. Nevertheless, the pair are free to interview with Arizona – or any other interested team – at any time.

Here is an updated look at the Cardinals’ HC search:

Latest On Vic Fangio

January 30th, 2023 at 1:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins appeared to make a significant addition to their coaching staff yesterday, coming to terms on a deal with Vic Fangio to make him their new defensive coordinator. Contrary to what some have since reported, though, the move does not appear to be official at this point.

When speaking to Fangio himself, both 9News’ Mike Klis and Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle were told that a deal is not, in fact, in place yet (Twitter links). In the latter’s case, Fangio stated that “nothing has been decided on my end,” a reference to his commitment to head to Miami. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that his Dolphins contract is three years in length (with a team option for a fourth year) and will make him the league’s highest-paid coordinator.

Fangio, 64, was always likely to be a hot commodity on the DC market when he made it clear he would return to coaching in 2023. The former Broncos head coach had previously stated his intention of taking on a coordinator position, rather than another HC opportunity. Over the course of his decorated career, he established himself as a one of the game’s top defensive minds in terms of scheme and play-calling, as well as one with connections all over the league.

The Panthers were tapped as a likely destination for Fangio in the wake of their Frank Reich hiring. It was reported early today, to no surprise, that Carolina was willing to meet his financial demands, though even in the uncertainty regarding his future they are no longer expected to pursue him. That could make another notable DC vacancy one to keep an eye on in this situation.

Silver notes the “huge amount” of respect shared between 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Fangio. The latter served as San Francisco’s DC from 2011-14, and it was reported in the fall that a return to the Bay Area could be in the cards. The 49ers have enjoyed elite play on the defensive side of the ball under current coordinator DeMeco Ryans, but he has been one of the top HC candidates this offseason and is widely expected to soon become the Texans’ new bench boss. His departure could open the door for Fangio to replace him, should the Miami agreement fall through.

On that point, Pelissero’s colleague Cameron Wolfe tweets that Fangio had been a target of Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel before he even began his tenure with the team this past season. That underscores the desire the Dolphins have long had to bring him onboard, though it remains to be seen if they have officially done so this offseason.

Chargers Hire Kellen Moore As OC

January 30th, 2023 at 10:51am CST by Adam La Rose

To little surprise, Kellen Moore is set to quickly move on to his next NFL opportunity. The former Cowboys offensive coordinator is expected to join the Chargers to fulfil the same role (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). A team announcement has confirmed the news.

The 33-year-old had one year remaining on his contract with Dallas, but he and the team mutually parted ways yesterday. That brought an end to his four-year tenure at the helm of the Cowboys’ offense, one in which he established himself as a highly-regarded young mind on that side of the ball. Moore had received head coaching interest in recent hiring cycles, and was a top OC candidate once he hit the open market.

In the immediate aftermath of his departure, it was reported that the Buccaneers had interest in interviewing him. Not long after, it came out that the Chargers were seeking a meeting with Moore, leading to the expectation that he would be able to quickly find his next coaching gig. With a deal now in place, per multiple reports, the former quarterback can turn his attention to one of the league’s top collection of offensive players.

Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo tweets that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones let Moore out of his contract, allowing him to move on with the understanding that a new opportunity would not be hard to come by. That makes it little surprise that he has immediately landed in a new home, one where he will face significant expectations right away. The Chargers boast one of the league’s top young passers in Justin Herbert, a highly-acclaimed pair of wideouts in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and a high-end dual threat running back in Austin Ekeler.

Recent improvements made along the offensive line add further to the belief that the team’s success of 2022 will be replicated, at a minimum. Los Angeles had the ninth-ranked total offense in 2022 under Joe Lombardi, and saw high-end production in the passing game in particular. A lack of balance for the unit – highlighted especially in the second half of the team’s playoff meltdown against the Jaguars – led to speculation that Lombardi could be on the hot seat, however. In a move signalling that Staley will be safe for at least the 2023 campaign, the former was fired earlier this month.

Moore will step in as his replacement as a play-caller, and mark an end to a sizeable search process the team conducted. The fact that Moore has so quickly been brought onboard speaks to how highly he is thought of by the team’s staff and front office. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are in the early stages of their search for Moore’s replacement, though it has been reported that head coach Mike McCarthy will call plays regardless of who is ultimately brought in.

Here is a final breakdown of the Chargers’ OC search:

Latest On Panthers’ DC Search

January 30th, 2023 at 9:57am CST by Adam La Rose

Today marks the first official day at work for new Panthers head coach Frank Reich, the first domino to fall in the 2023 HC cycle. Much remains to be seen with respect to his staff, including coordinators on both sides of the ball.

On defense, it became clear that Reich’s preference for his new DC was Vic Fangio. The 64-year-old agreed to terms yesterday on a deal with the Dolphins which will see him become the league’s highest-paid coordinator, however, leaving Carolina to look elsewhere to fill the position. A pair of finalists remain in the running.

Those two are Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard and Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel. Those two are the only candidates other than Fangio to have interviewed for the position, so it comes as little surprise that they remain in the running. Joe Person of The Athletic notes that Carolina has “moved on” to Richard and Manuel as it pertains to the DC opening, with the latter seeming to be in the lead (subscription required).

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports also reports (via Twitter) that Manuel remains the subject of considerable interest from Carolina. The 43-year-old has two years of DC experience, dating back to his time with the Falcons in 2017 and 2018. That post came between tenures in Seattle and Philadelphia prior to his current one in New York. Neither he nor Richard, who has multiple stints as a defensive coordinator on his resume, have experience working with Reich, though they have ties to general manager Scott Fitterer dating back to their shared time with the Seahawks.

Anderson adds that the Panthers could have competition in the form of the Texans for Manuel’s services. Houston is thought to be a potential destination for him in the (expected) event that 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans is hired as the team’s new head coach. Especially if that were to happen, attention could shift once more towards a staffer who does have experience working alongside Reich.

Person names Colts DC Gus Bradley as someone who has been “mentioned” as a candidate to follow Reich to Carolina. As he notes, however, an interview request as not yet been submitted. Anderson tweets that Reich brought up the possibility of hiring the 56-year-old, something ownership was not in favor of. It was then that Fangio was pursued, to the point where the Panthers were willing to give him the league’s largest coordinator contract (Twitter link).

With Reich expected to call plays on offense, the team’s ultimate choice at the DC spot will go a long way in determining their success on that side of the ball. Steve Wilks, who guided Carolina to an impressive run at the end of the season filling in for Matt Rhule, remains on staff for now, but he is likely to head elsewhere with new faces coming in on the Panthers’ sidelines.

Latest On Jeff Bezos, Potential Commanders Sale

January 30th, 2023 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The possibility of Dan Snyder selling the Commanders remains a key NFL storyline as the offseason approaches. The sense of an ownership change being on the horizon has grown over the past several months, with it coming out in November that a sale is at least being explored.

One of the names immediately brought up as a candidate to purchase the embattled franchise was Jeff Bezos. The Amazon founder has owned the Washington Post for the past decade, and was reported in 2019 to be on the radar of joining the NFL’s ownership group. It came as little surprise, then, that the 59-year-old was said to be interested in submitting a bid for the Commanders not long after it was known the team could soon be up for sale.

However, the initial bidding process came and went in December, and Bezos was not involved, as detailed by A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports. The reasons for that could be closely linked to another notable takeaway from the first round of bidding: no one reached the $7BB mark Snyder is thought to be seeking from the candidate who would become the team’s controlling owner. With an estimated net worth of over $122BB, Bezos could certainly win out over any number of other contenders if liquidity were to become a sticking point, but another factor is thought to be in play in his situation.

Personal grievances involving Bezos and Snyder have been raised as a potential roadblock to a sale being finalized between the two. Specifically, the way in which the Post has covered the Commanders recently amidst controversies connected to their alleged toxic workplace and investigations into financial improprieties has led to a widespread belief of disdain for Bezos on Snyder’s part. Several outlets have stated that Snyder is not interested in selling to him at any price.

Against that backdrop, Josh Kosman of the New York Post reports that Bezos could be lining up a sale of the Post as a first step towards buying the Commanders. While he cites conflicting information from sources on whether or not such a move could be coming soon, it could be construed by Snyder as a “gesture of goodwill” which may “go a long way” in terms of the latter warming up to the notion of selling to Bezos. In terms of his competition, Liz Clarke, Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post note that the finalists for the Broncos are expected to be “contenders” to buy the Commanders.

Denver’s sale to the Rob Walton group last offseason shattered the North American sports record at a cost of $4.65BB. A deal seeing the Commanders change hands could dwarf that figure, especially if the framework were to be in place for a new stadium deal. The Seahawks were believed to be a target for Bezos at one point, but owner Jody Allen emphatically said in the summer that the NFC West franchise will not be sold any time soon. That will leave Bezos connected to Washington if the sales process moves forward in the near future.

Broncos, Jim Harbaugh Met Over HC Vacancy; Team To Expand HC Search?

January 29th, 2023 at 9:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 29, 9:40pm: Troy Renck of Denver7 is in line with the NFL Network pair in terms of the new names being added to Denver’s search with things having not gone according to plan so far. However, 9News’ Mike Klis reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos are actually still focused on their original list of candidates who are still available, and that “there is a plan” the organization is on course to follow. In any case, Denver will be a key team to watch as the HC story unfolds in the coming days.

JANUARY 29, 7:30am: Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com hear that, even after Harbaugh’s announcement that he would be remaining at Michigan, he continued to have conversations with Penner and Broncos GM George Paton. Penner did not make an offer to Harbaugh during last week’s summit, though it does not appear that the door to a Harbaugh-Denver partnership is closed quite yet. Indeed, Harbaugh has reportedly said that the Broncos’ job is the one that he would want if he elects to return to the pros.

Both NFL.com and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter) say that the Broncos could begin to expand their head coaching search given that some of their top choices in Payton, Harbaugh, Ryans, and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are either out of the running entirely or no longer appear to be likely options. If that happens, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan could get a call, and the club has reportedly done research on Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

In addition, NFL.com reports that candidates like Raheem Morris, David Shaw, Jim Caldwell, and Ejiro Evero could all be back in play, although Troy Renck of Denver7 suggests otherwise (Twitter link).

JANUARY 28: Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was once again one of the names most commonly floated as a candidate in advance of this year’s NFL head coaching cycle. However, he ultimately remained committed to staying in Ann Arbor for at least the 2023 season, a decision which seemed to mark the end of his involvement in discussions surrounding the league’s remaining vacancies.

Despite that, Broncos CEO Greg Penner flew to Ann Arbor to meet in person with Harbaugh last week, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The latter interviewed with Denver virtually as part of their initial list of candidates to replace Nathaniel Hackett; his experience made him – along with Sean Payton – a serious contender for the position before he made it official he will once again stay at the college level.

As Schefter notes (and several others have since corroborated), the sit-down was primarily a matter of Penner doing his due diligence with Harbaugh. Denver’s HC search has been far more methodical this offseason than the one in 2022 which resulted in Hackett being hired for his first opportunity as a bench boss. His marked lack of success in that post has, in part, steered the organization towards an experienced coach. Harbaugh no longer being in the running could change that to an extent, especially if Payton ends up on another staff or remains as a Fox analyst for the 2023 season.

Harbaugh, 59, interviewed with the Vikings last year and was connected to the openings in Denver, Carolina and Indianapolis in 2023 prior to his announcement confirming he will still coach the Wolverines. In the wake of that decision, the Broncos have shifted their attention to the likes of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans. The latter seems to be a top target for Penner and Co., though signs are now pointing to him being the frontrunner for the Houston vacancy.

That could put more pressure on the Broncos to land Payton, something which would require draft compensation being sent to the Saints and a sizeable contract being doled out for his services. Earlier this week, however, Payton’s second interview with Denver was put on hold, so uncertainty remains on all sides in that situation. In any case, Schefter adds that some feel this cycle was likely be the last in which Harbaugh was a serious candidate to re-join the NFL coaching ranks, though this in-person meeting suggests he could still draw interest in 2024.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

Chargers Expected To Interview Kellen Moore For OC Vacancy

January 29th, 2023 at 8:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kellen Moore is out as Dallas’ offensive coordinator, but he may not be out of work for long. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Chargers had already received permission to interview Moore for their OC vacancy, and the parties are expected to meet soon (Twitter link).

Moore’s coaching career began in Dallas, the site of his playing days as a quarterback as well. He oversaw Dallas’ offense for the past four years, a span which included high-end performances in the regular season in three of those campaigns. Underwhelming showings in the playoffs, however, led to increased speculation that he would be let go despite being under contract for 2023.

With that having taken place, the 33-year-old figures to be on the radar for an immediate move to another OC position. There are plenty of openings around the league at the moment, and his work with the Cowboys should make him a highly sought-after candidate. It was reported in the immediate aftermath of his departure that the Buccaneers would be interested in Moore, as they look for a reset on offense while replacing Byron Leftwich.

The Chargers’ vacancy quickly became one of note after Joe Lombardi was dismissed. The team put up respectable numbers during his two-year tenure in Los Angeles, but it ultimately comes as little surprise that Brandon Staley‘s staff will have a new play-caller on offense in 2023, a season in which they will look to rebound from a massive playoff collapse.

The Rams, meanwhile, have tapped Mike LaFleur as their new OC, a hiring which was widely expected to take place before it became official. However, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News notes that the NFC’s Los Angeles franchise had interest in Moore as well (Twitter link). The latter is likely set to be busy in the immediate future as he looks for his next NFL opportunity.

Here is an updated look at the Chargers’ OC search:

Latest On Jets’ QB Pursuit

January 29th, 2023 at 7:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Since the Jets’ 2022 season crashed to a halt amidst their quarterback struggles, they are widely expected to be active in pursuing a veteran addition at the position. The team has been very public about doing so, and clarity could be emerging with respect to the names they are targeting.

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports that New York is “evaluating” Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr. While he adds that the process is in its early stages, meaning more names will no doubt be added to that list, it comes as little surprise that those three are included in it. Rodgers was mentioned as a trade candidate for the Jets even before Nathaniel Hackett became the team’s new offensive coordinator, but increasingly so due to their connection with one another dating back to the latter’s time with the Packers.

Garoppolo was widely thought to be on his way out of San Francisco last offseason with the team turning its offense over to Trey Lance, but he ultimately remained on a re-worked contract. Now a pending free agent, he would not require trade compensation (as would be the case with Rodgers). His play after taking over for Lance appeared to help his value on the open market, but the 31-year-old then suffered what was initially believed to be a season-ending ankle injury. He may have been able to return in time for the Super Bowl, though the result of today’s NFC title game now makes that a moot point.

As for Carr, his days in Vegas are thought to be numbered, as the three-time Pro Bowler personally alluded to recently. He has begun doing “homework” on potential landing spots in a trade (since he has a no-trade clause), though the possibility remains that he get released and chooses his next team as a free agent.

That trio of passers is also one which Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network lists as targets for the Jets. New York showed signs of being a playoff contender in 2022 with a strong defense in particular, and a number of encouraging performances with a healthy Mike White at the helm of their offense. Interestingly, Pauline notes that “several” Jets players implored general manager Joe Douglas during their exit interviews to move on from Zach Wilson as their starting QB, in addition to firing offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

The latter move has already taken place, with Hackett now set to play a role in identifying the team’s top options to provide stability at the position relative to Wilson’s inconsistencies (although Pauline also notes that owner Woody Johnson still sees the 2021 No. 2 pick as salvageable). As the QB market takes shape, the Jets are sure to be key players in the case of several veteran passers.

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