HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Bears Request OC Interview With Cardinals’ Israel Woolfork

January 25th, 2025 at 9:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

The list of offensive coordinator candidates for the Bears continues to grow. Chicago has requested an interview with Israel Woolfork, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.

[RELATED: Bears Add Antwaan Randle El, Al Harris To Staff]

Woolfork’s playing career ended in 2012, and he immediately transitioned to coaching. From 2013-21, he worked on the staff at Miami (Ohio), holding different titles along the way. Woolfork began as a graduate assistant before coaching the team’s running backs and then its receivers.

His entry into the NFL came with the Browns. Woolfork was involved in the Bill Walsh coaching fellowship program for 2021 and ’22, and after that process he landed his first position coaching gig at the pro level. The Cardinals hired him as their quarterbacks coach in 2023, and he has remained in that role for the past two years.

Kyler Murray was sidelined for the beginning of last season as he rehabbed his ACL tear. He managed to play eight games upon returning to the lineup, though, and his performances to close out the year laid the foundation for this past campaign. The Cardinals enjoyed a relatively strong start to 2024, posting a 6-4 record before the bye. The team fell out of contention in the NFC West toward the end of the campaign, but Woolfork’s work with Murray and Arizona’s other passers has now generated interest at the coordinator level.

New head coach Ben Johnson will no doubt call plays during his debut Chicago campaign, but his decision not to retain Thomas Brown leaves the team in need of another offensive coordinator hire. The Bears went with Shane Waldron last offseason, but his tenure proved to be short-lived. Brown served as interim play-caller (and, eventually, head coach) to close out the campaign but Johnson was of course Chicago’s top target for outside HC candidates. His offensive coordinator search will be one to watch closely as it expands.

Via PFR’s OC/DC Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand:

  • Declan Doyle, tight ends coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
  • Hank Fraley, offensive line coach (Lions): Rumored candidate; staying with Lions
  • Bo Hardegree, quarterbacks coach (Titans): Interview requested
  • Israel Woolfork, quarterbacks coach (Cardinals): Interview requested

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/25/25

January 25th, 2025 at 7:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s standard gameday practice squad elevations in advance of championship Sunday:

Buffalo Bills

Kansas City Chiefs

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Commanders

Buccaneers Conduct OC Interviews With Marcus Brady, Grant Udinski

January 25th, 2025 at 6:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers are moving quickly in their bid to find Liam Coen‘s replacement. Three candidates have now been attached to the team’s offensive coordinator opening.

Tampa Bay conducted a virtual interview with Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady on Saturday, per a team announcement. The same is also true of Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinsky. Earlier today, it was learned the Buccaneers have submitted an interview request for Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase.

Prior to beginning his NFL coaching tenure in 2018, Brady had a long spell in the CFL. He served as offensive coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes as well as the Toronto Argonauts, winning a total of three Grey Cups in that span. After three seasons working with the Colts’ quarterbacks, Brady was promoted to OC and served in that capacity in 2021 and ’22.

The 45-year-old worked as a senior offensive assistant with the Eagles in 2023 before taking his current job in Los Angeles. The Chargers underwent a number of changes on the sidelines with the arrival of Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman this offseason, and one of the outcomes was increased efficiency from quarterback Justin Herbert (who posted a league-best interception rate of 0.6%). Brady’s role in that success landed him an interview with the Patriots for their OC posting this month.

Udinski began his college coaching career in 2019, and he followed Matt Rhule from Baylor to the Panthers to start his NFL tenure. After two years in Carolina, Udinski was hired by the Vikings as part of Kevin O’Connell‘s initial staff. For the past two years, the 28-year-old has worked as an assistant QBs coach and during the 2024 campaign he also had the title of assistant offensive coordinator.

Udinski was another coach who spoke with the Patriots about their OC gig before they elected to reunite with Josh McDaniels. He is also a finalist for the Seahawks’ vacancy, having conducted a second interview last week. The Bucs therefore may have competition for the services of Udinski – who, unlike Brady does not have coordinator experience – depending on how the teams evaluate him as a candidate for this year’s hiring cycle.

Tampa Bay appeared to have Coen in place for 2025 and beyond with a new deal agreed to during the week. In the wake of the Jaguars firing general manager Trent Baalke, though, Coen met with Jacksonville a second time and was ultimately hired as the team’s new head coach. Todd Bowles is thus in need of another new OC this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how his latest search plays out.

Jets Hire Darren Mougey As GM

January 25th, 2025 at 3:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 25: ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted out the news that Mougey’s hiring has been made official. Mougey will team up with Glenn, the new head coach, to establish the next era of Jets football.

JANUARY 24: The Jets made their head coaching hire earlier this week, and their general manager vacancy is now set to be filled. After Lance Newmark appeared to be the top target, though, the team has moved in another direction.

Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey will be hired by the Jets. He was among the staffers who lined up a second interview for this week, so it comes as little surprise he is set to get the nod. Still, after Newmark looked to have a deal all but in place on Tuesday, this is a notable pivot on New York’s part.

The Jets were open to bringing in a head coach or a general manager first during the 2025 cycle, and Aaron Glenn wound up being the initial hire in the team’s case. The former Lions defensive coordinator has a history with New York as a player, and Newmark represented a familiar face with Glenn given their time spent together in Detroit. A natural fit was in place, but the Jets opted to conduct follow-up interviews with both Mougey and Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown before making a final decision.

Mougey’s meeting took place yesterday, and Troy Renck of the Denver Post notes he returned to the Broncos’ facility to await word on whether or not he received the Jets’ GM job. No subsequent reports have emerged at this point confirming Mougey has won out, and SNY’s Connor Hughes indicates he has not received finality from his sources indicating Mougey has beaten out Newmark and Brown. But provided the team ultimately announces this news he will be set to undertake his first general manager role. The 39-year-old has been with the Broncos throughout his front office career, so this will double as his first posting with any other organization.

Mougey quickly transitioned from his playing career to the scouting world as an intern with the Broncos in 2012. By 2020, he had reached the level of assistant college scouting director while continuing to rise through the ranks. Mougey took over as director of player personnel for 2021, and the following year he was promoted to assistant GM. After working under both John Elway and George Paton, he will now lead a staff of his own.

New York conducted a wide-ranging search for both the head coach and general manager positions, and in a matter of days both vacancies have now been filled. The quarterback position will remain a talking point until clarity emerges on the Aaron Rodgers front, and a number of other key priories – including potential extensions for cornerback Sauce Gardner and wideout Garrett Wilson – are in place. How Mougey and Glenn address them will be key in shaping the organization’s direction moving forward. Paton and the Broncos, meanwhile, will now have a notable front office vacancy to fill.

Via PFR’s GM search tracker, here is a final look at how the Jets’ process played out:

Texans Part Ways With Team President Greg Grissom

January 25th, 2025 at 2:38pm CST by Ely Allen

This week the Texans parted ways with team president Greg Grissom, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The decision to depart was reportedly an amicable one, as Grissom leaves after 23 years with the franchise.

Grissom has been a part of the Texans’ organization in some capacity since the team’s inaugural season in 2002. He held a number of roles in his time with the franchise, working his way through different positions in business and sponsorship development to senior vice president of corporate development.

In 2021, Grissom took over the team president role, accepting the job in his 20th season with the team. His time as president saw him manage the Texans’ management and business operations. Specifically, he oversaw responsibilities in marketing and communications, digital and social media, community relations, ticket sales and membership services, event management and operations, business analytics, IT, and corporate sponsorships.

Texans owner and chief executive officer Cal McNair said in a statement that, despite only four years in his current role, Grissom had been very productive. He helped “implement numerous initiatives to help (the) organization fearlessly evolve and grow in many ways,” per NFL.com.

In a statement of his own, Grissom cited the chance “to embrace new challenges and opportunities” as the reason for his departure. He expressed his thanks to the McNair family and many other job connections through the team, the corporate and civic leaders, and the community in Houston.

Grissom succeeded longtime president Jamey Rootes in the position in 2021. Rootes retired from the job after 20 years in the position and sadly passed away at the age of 56 the following year. With Grissom now gone, the Texans will be looking for the third team president in their young history.

Cowboys QBs Coach Scott Tolzien Not Expected Back In 2025

January 25th, 2025 at 12:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys are sticking with continuity on their coaching staff, as the team promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the head coaching role. However, it sounds like the team will need to slightly revamp their offensive coaching staff.

[RELATED: Cowboys Hire Brian Schottenheimer As HC]

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Scott Tolzien isn’t expected back in Dallas next season. The former NFL journeyman was attached to an expiring contract, so there doesn’t need to be any formal divorce separation the two sides.

Tolzien could have been a logical candidate to replace Schottenheimer in the offensive coordinator role. After spending three seasons as an assistant, Tolzien spent the past two years coaching the Cowboys quarterbacks. Dak Prescott finished second in MVP during the 2023 campaign, and while the QB’s numbers took a step back before his season-ending injury in 2024, Tolzien still earned a reputation as a “talented QB tutor” (per Rapoport).

Rapoport also notes that Tolzien could “resurface soon.” Plenty of teams are still settling their coaching staffs, and the 37-year-old may have done enough in Dallas to garner a coordinator interview. At the very least, Tolzien shouldn’t have any issues finding another job coaching QBs.

Schottenheimer will now be searching for at least an OC and a QBs coach, but the new Cowboys head coach will look to add to his own offensive responsibilities. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Schottenheimer is expected to call the offensive plays next season. The former coordinator didn’t have this specific duty under Mike McCarthy, but it sounds like Schottenheimer is only going to increase his offensive oversight moving forward. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be an issue for Prescott; ESPN’s Todd Archer says the QB has a good relationship with Schottenheimer and likes the coach’s “creativity.”

While the Cowboys are anticipating more changes to their coaching staff, there’s hope that some of the current coaches will stick around. This includes tight ends coach Lunda Wells, with Archer noting that the long-time Giants staff member could be a candidate to coach the offensive line.

Buccaneers Request OC Interview With Rams’ Nate Scheelhaase

January 25th, 2025 at 9:52am CST by Ben Levine

Todd Bowles isn’t wasting any time looking to replace Liam Coen. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Buccaneers requested an interview with Rams coach Nate Scheelhaase for their offensive coordinator job.

[RELATED: Jaguars Hire Liam Coen As HC]

Even just garnering a coordinator interview is a major career step for the fast-rising coach. Scheelhaase had a long run in the college ranks, including a one-year stop as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator. That performance helped him generate some NFL interest, and he ended up joining Sean McVay‘s staff in Los Angeles as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist.

The Rams’ passing offense left a bit to be desired in 2024, as Matthew Stafford‘s touchdown percentage and passing-yards-per-game mark flirted with his career-lows. On the flip side, Scheelhaase and the offensive staff helped squeeze a career-low 1.5-percent interception rate out of the QB (excluding his three-game showing in 2010), and his 50.1-percent passing percentage was the second-best of his career.

In Tampa Bay, Scheelhaase would be tasked with overseeing an offense that finished top-five in both points scored and offensive yards. While Coen got a career year from Baker Mayfield, the quarterback also showed success under former OC Dave Canales. Assuming Mayfield’s resurgence continues, Tampa Bay’s new OC can be confident that they’re inheriting an elite offense.

Scheelhaase lacks experience, but he would provide some continuity with his Rams-inspired offense. Coen was also a product of McVay’s system, and Bowles could look to once again pick from that coaching tree. The Buccaneers could also find that continuity within their current staff, and Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston says both pass-game coordinator Josh Grizzard and pass-game assistant John Van Dam are internal candidates for the gig.

Bears Request DC Interview With Vikings’ Daronte Jones

January 25th, 2025 at 9:00am CST by Ben Levine

JANUARY 26: Jones’ interview with the Bears will take place this weekend, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

JANUARY 23: Ben Johnson isn’t wasting any time looking to add to his staff. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears have requested an interview with Vikings coach Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

After spending more than a decade in the college ranks, Jones got his first NFL gig with the Dolphins in 2015, when he worked as an assistant defensive backs coach. He later coached cornerbacks with the Bengals and defensive backs with the Vikings before being named defensive coordinator at LSU in 2021.

Jones only lasted one year at that stop. The coordinator wasn’t retained as part of Brian Kelly’s first staff in Baton Rouge, and he quickly caught on with the Vikings. After spending his first season in Minnesota as the defensive backs coach, Jones has spent the past two years serving as the Vikings defensive pass game coordinator.

As Rapoport notes, Jones has earned a reputation as a bright defensive mind, and he’s had time to hone his skills working under the likes of Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, and Marvin Lewis. The coach also has experience working alongside Johnson, as the duo were both on the Dolphins coaching staff between 2016 and 2017.

Rams defensive pass-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant is the only other known candidate to potentially replace ousted DC Eric Washington in Chicago. The Bears (and Johnson) have been loosely connected to former Saints head coach Dennis Allen, and they were a rumored landing spot for former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo before he joined the Colts staff.

Bears Request OC Interview With Titans’ Bo Hardegree

January 25th, 2025 at 8:20am CST by Ben Levine

Ben Johnson is set to interview the first candidate for his offensive coordinator opening. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears have requested an interview with Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree.

Johnson and Hardegree worked alongside each other during their stints in Miami. Hardegree spent three years coaching Dolphins QBs, including the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Jay Cutler, and Brock Osweiler. Hardegree later followed head coach Adam Gase to New York, where he had a two-year stop as an offensive assistant.

Following a one-year stay in New England, Hardegree left for the Raiders in 2022. He took on the added responsibility of offensive play-calling in 2023, and the Raiders offense performed admirably despite a revolving door at QB (Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, and rookie Aidan O’Connell). The coach finished that latter campaign as interim OC following the ousting of Mick Lombardi (alongside HC Josh McDaniels), but he wasn’t retained on Antonio Pierce‘s 2024 staff.

Hardegree spent this past season working as QBs coach with the Titans, where the tandem of Will Levis and Mason Rudolph struggled mightily. Still, that wasn’t enough to dissuade the Bears from seeking an interview with the offensive mind. It’s uncertain how much responsibility Chicago’s new offensive coordinator will have with Johnson running the show. That could end up being a positive for someone like Hardegree who lacks extensive experience.

Hardegree is the first definitive candidate for the OC job. Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle has been mentioned as a potential candidate, as was Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley, who has since recommitted to sticking in Detroit.

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