HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Rams Seeking Clarity On Matthew Stafford’s Playing Future

January 24th, 2025 at 11:08am CST by Adam La Rose

In the immediate aftermath of the Rams’ divisional round loss, Matthew Stafford was asked about his intentions moving forward. He did not confirm he will play in 2025, although his evaluation of his performance suggested the Super Bowl winner feels he can still provide high-end play at this stage of his career.

Stafford is on the books for the next two seasons, but over that span his only guaranteed compensation currently scheduled comes from roster bonuses totaling $9MM. Last offseason, team and player worked out a restructure which enhanced his 2024 earnings but confirmed that a year-to-year approach would be in place. A quicker resolution this time around is being targeted.

“We don’t want to have that go on again,” head coach Sean McVay said in reference to last summer’s contract talks (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop). “I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity. Understanding clear, open and honest communication. I think there’s a lot of love coming from our part. I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part as well. And I think a lot sooner than later is an ideal scenario.”

Stafford – who played through four cracked ribs during the latter part of the regular season through the playoffs – will be 37 by the start of the 2025 campaign. The former No. 1 pick posted a 93.7 passer rating this past season, roughly in line with his four-year average with the Rams. He would be expected to remain a dependable starter if healthy moving forward, but if retirement becomes a serious consideration the Rams will of course need to make moves at the quarterback position.

Even if Stafford decides to remain in place for next year (something McVay would be on board with), Los Angeles’ lack of a clear successor under center is a notable issue. Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is a pending free agent, and a departure on his part this spring would create the need for at least a new high-floor QB2 in 2025. Former fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett remains attached to his rookie contract, but he has yet to play a snap in the regular season.

Given the list of quarterbacks set to be on the market (via free agency or trade) and the fact the Rams are slated to pick 26th in April’s draft, an obvious replacement for Stafford does not exist at this point. One still may not be needed for 2025, but the team will not be able to pivot to other offseason priorities until his future becomes certain.

Titans GM: Team Open To Trading No. 1 Pick

January 24th, 2025 at 9:01am CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Borgonzi is now in place as the Titans’ general manager, and while his authority will not reach the level of many of his colleagues around the league, he will have an interesting decision to make early in his tenure. Tennessee currently holds the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, but moving down the board is something which will receive consideration.

“Draft picks are our biggest form of currency, so when there’s opportunities to trade back to collect more picks, we’re going to do that,” Borgonzi said during his introductory press conference (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport). “We’re going to look at all avenues as far as that number one pick,” president of football operations Chad Brinker added. “But we won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL Draft.”

Heisman winner Travis Hunter is widely seen as a the top prospect in the 2025 class, but the two-way star (who is viewed as being likely to play corner in the NFL at this point) would not fill Tennessee’s need at the quarterback position. With the Browns, Giants and Raiders respectively owning the second, third and sixth selections, Tennessee taking Hunter would add another layer to the QB sweepstakes in April. In general, though, Borgonzi’s stance about prioritizing volume of picks is a reasonable one.

The Titans currently own eight selections this year, but only two of those are in the top 100. Moving down would help Borgonzi reach his stated goal of making 30 total picks in the next three years, something which will be key in shaping the direction of the franchise moving forward. Given the demand for passers amongst many teams at the top of the board and the scarcity of available quarterbacks viewed as being Day 1 prospects (Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders), a strong trade-up market would likely exist if the Titans elected to entertain offers this spring.

Of course, the team’s stance on that front will depend on the evaluation of Hunter and the signal-callers who could challenge him for hearing their names called first on draft night. While Brinker is set to hold tiebreaking authority on many roster-building moves, it will be Borgonzi having the final say with respect to the draft. How the latter proceeds on that front will be one of the more interesting league storylines during the spring.

Jaguars Hire Liam Coen As HC

January 23rd, 2025 at 11:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a stunning turn of events, it sounds like Liam Coen is destined for Jacksonville. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Coen is expected to be named as the next head coach of the Jaguars. Albert Breer of TheMMQB adds to this report, stating that the two sides have a verbal agreement in place. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Coen has already informed the Buccaneers that he’ll be taking the job in Jacksonville.

The official announcement has now been made, with Russini noting that Coen went back home to Tampa Bay while his representatives finalized details with the Jaguars. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported earlier this evening that the two sides were in “active negotiations.” This will be a five-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

It was only 36 hours ago that we learned Coen was backing out of the sweepstakes to stick around as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. According to Breer, Tampa Bay was handing the coach an extension that would make him the highest-paid coordinator in NFL history. Coen would also get to stick in a familiar spot, would get to continue guiding Baker Mayfield‘s revival, and would be positioned to enter the head coaching cycle next offseason.

Things rapidly changed. The Jaguars fired Trent Baalke following reports that the GM was a deterrent to HC candidates. Following that development, it didn’t take long for Coen to reenter the conversation, as the coach reportedly took a secret trip to Jacksonville to meet with Jaguars leadership in person. We heard earlier tonight that the Jaguars were persistent in their attempts to get Coen to reconsider, and Russini says ownership called the coach directly to explain that they’d let him pick the next general manager while also paying him “Ben Johnson-level money.”

That last-ditch effort has apparently worked, as Coen is all but certain to be named the Jaguars next head coach. The offensive coordinator recently emerged as the favorite for the position after the team’s initial target, Johnson, landed with the Bears. Shad Kahn wasn’t going to let another candidate get away, especially after the Jaguars had to pivot off top option Byron Leftwich in 2022.

During that last hiring cycle, the team ended up opting for Doug Pederson, who lasted only three seasons in Jacksonville. While the Jaguars brought in a number of offensive and defensive coaches during their active search, it was believed that the organization was prioritizing a coach who could get the most out of franchise QB Trevor Lawrence.

Coen has recently garnered a reputation as someone who can maximize their QB, as he helped guide Mayfield to a career-best season in 2024. That showing also helped put Coen back on the head coaching radar following a few bumps with the Rams and Kentucky. This head coaching job will now represent Coen’s sixth unique gig in the past six years, and both the coach and the Jaguars are surely hoping he’ll be sticking around for the long-term.

Cowboys Giving Serious Consideration To Brian Schottenheimer As HC?

January 23rd, 2025 at 10:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys cannot interview Kellen Moore again until at least next week, and if the Eagles reach Super Bowl LIX, no reunion can commence until February 10. That delay could contribute to one of the more shocking hires in recent NFL history.

As of now, Moore and Brian Schottenheimer may be the finalists for this job, WFAA’s Ed Werder notes. But Schottenheimer, who has not sat down for another known HC interview in the 2020s, appears a serious candidate after his two-day Cowboys meeting.

[RELATED: Jerry Jones, Pete Carroll Discuss Cowboys Job]

Working as Mike McCarthy‘s OC for the past two seasons, Schottenheimer met with the Cowboys for a lengthy interview that ended up lasting two days. Whether the second part of the meeting constituted a second interview or not, Jerry Jones appears to have another unorthodox hire on his radar. Going further here, All DLLS’ Clarence Hill indicates a Schottenheimer deal to be Dallas’ next HC should be done today or Friday.

The second day of Schottenheimer’s summit with Cowboys brass involved a five-plus-hour meeting, and although that pushed the sides’ total interview time past eight hours, NFL.com’s Jane Slater indicates nothing is imminent regarding a hire.

Jones has regularly zagged with his coaches. He has also promoted from within previously. Prior to giving interim HC Jason Garrett the full-time job in 2011, the longtime owner elevated Dave Campo to replace Chan Gailey in 2000. Schottenheimer, 51, has been in the NFL since 2001 — when he debuted as father Marty‘s QBs coach with Washington — and has been a three-time OC. The Jets employed Brian Schottenheimer in that role from 2006-11, and the Rams hired him in 2012. After that three-year stint, Schottenheimer did not receive another OC opportunity until the Seahawks hired him in 2018. Seattle fired the second-generation NFL coach in 2021, leading him to a pass-game coordinator post for the Urban Meyer-run Jaguars and then an analyst gig in Dallas.

With the Commanders securing a spot in the NFC championship game, the Cowboys now have the conference’s longest drought of reaching that round. The Bears, who last qualified for the NFC title game in 2010, are the closest team to the Cowboys, who famously have not played for a conference championship since their Super Bowl XXX-winning season in 1995. Jones, whose separation from Jimmy Johnson after the 1993 season provided a fairly clear line of demarcation for the franchise (its Barry Switzer-coached Super Bowl XXX title notwithstanding), has faced steady criticism over his decisions. This one coming to pass would undoubtedly crank up the heat on the scrutinized owner.

Jones’ head coaching processes have been unusual. Calls for Garrett’s ouster rang out for years, but the criticized HC lasted through the 2019 season. It took several days after that season wrapped for clarity to emerge, and Jones’ replacement search consisted of just two names — McCarthy and Marvin Lewis. After making McCarthy the rare lame-duck HC despite three straight 12-win seasons, Jones did not resolve the situation until a week after Black Monday, going so far as to block the Bears from meeting with McCarthy in that span. McCarthy remains in the mix for the Saints’ HC post.

The Cowboys join the Jaguars, Saints and Raiders in still pursuing a head coach. Schottenheimer has not been connected to any of those jobs, and while the Cowboys led the NFL in scoring during Dak Prescott‘s most recent full season (2023), McCarthy was the team’s primary play-caller following the Moore separation. Moore could regain some steam here, but he is still in the mix for the Jags and Saints’ positions.

Moore having played in Dallas and then begun his coaching career there — during a tenure highlighted by a four-year OC stint — may end up mattering, but the coach who succeeded him appears a genuine threat to score a massive upset and land this position.

Steelers Unlikely To Add External QB In Free Agency?

January 23rd, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Steelers’ high-floor/low-ceiling routine extended through another season, the team again has a decision to make at quarterback. After pulling the plug on the Kenny Pickett experiment late in the 2023 season, Pittsburgh identified a cost-effective but unremarkable solution in the Russell Wilson–Justin Fields tandem. Mixed results emerged.

Although Wilson provided a boost to help the team reach 10-3, Pittsburgh crumbled as its schedule stiffened down the stretch. After five straight losses closed out the Steelers’ season, Mike Tomlin was noncommittal about the futures of his top two passers. Wilson has expressed interest in staying on multiple occasions, while Fields is nearly 11 years younger and would provide more intrigue through a longer-term lens. It may be an either/or situation, but one of them coming back seems more likely than the team pursuing an outside free agent.

As it stands in January, veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly writes that is is “highly unlikely” the Steelers sign an outside QB free agent to start. The team has two experienced starters under contract through March, holding exclusive negotiating rights with Wilson and Fields until the legal tampering period starts March 10. It looks more probable than not the team will determine which of the QBs it wants to keep working with, rather than start over with one of this year’s outside FA options. A report earlier this month pointed to Fields being perhaps the team’s more appealing target of the two incumbents.

Sam Darnold would represent this year’s prize, and his difficult finish may give the Vikings pause about potentially unholstering the franchise tag. More affordable options would include Kirk Cousins (once the Falcons release him) or Daniel Jones. Cousins would likely follow Wilson’s path by signing a vet-minimum deal, as the Falcons will be on the hook for his salary once he is cut. Jones also could be a Vikings bridge option if Darnold proves too pricey to tag or re-sign, but other teams will show interest. Beyond the underwhelming non-Fields contingent of 2021 first-rounders — Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones — a host of veteran backup types would round out the QB market. Aaron Rodgers could also loom, though the 41-year-old star has not determined if he will play a 21st season. Rodgers would represent an interesting variable here, even if, as PFR readers’ recent stance reminds, a fit with the Steelers would be a bit difficult to foresee.

The Steelers will have a major say in how the QB market plays out this year, with Fields and Wilson being perhaps the top two non-Darnold names available. Fields did not threaten Wilson’s job security after being benched midseason, but he might hold greater appeal due to his age (26 in April). Wilson is 36, and his post-Seattle performance has left much to be desired. That said, the Steelers’ failure to add a dependable No. 2 wide receiver undoubtedly affected Wilson, especially against better competition. With George Pickens‘ future with the organization potentially in doubt, the team will have WR questions to answer once again.

Holding a first-round pick around usual territory (21st this year), the Steelers have limited options in the draft. While one NFL scouting director predicts (via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler) the team will draft a quarterback high, choosing one this year would remind — to a degree, at least — of the Pickett selection due to the criticism directed at this QB crop. Beyond Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, the likes of Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) would be available. Supply-and-demand issues may push the SEC arms up the board, but neither currently profiles as a surefire Day 1 draftee.

Illustrating the much-rumored gulf between this year’s top two college prospects and the field, Mel Kiper Jr.’s first ESPN.com mock predicts Ward and Sanders will be gone within the top three and no other signal-callers will go in Round 1. Free agency, then, will be an important component of Pittsburgh’s latest QB plan. The Steelers will have until March 10 to keep either Fields or Wilson off the market. Otherwise, they will be competing with other suitors to retain one of the QBs.

Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf Will Both Report To Patriots Ownership

January 23rd, 2025 at 7:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Since the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their head coach, there have been some questions regarding the organizational hierarchy. Despite the major changes, it sounds like the team’s operations should remain status quo. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, both Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf will report to ownership, an indication that there’s no singular leader in the front office.

When Vrabel was brought on, it was assumed that he’d have a major influence over player personnel. That will surely be the case, but it sounds like it will be a collaborative approach vs. the former totalitarian approach under Bill Belichick. While last season’s results left plenty to be desired, Breer notes that Wolf and former HC Jerod Mayo already started making an effort to build an actual football ops department, something that was sorely lacking.

The next step could see the Vrabel/Wolf duo look to improve the “player-development side” of operations. The Patriots had “next to nothing” in that regard under Belichick, meaning there was effectively nobody overseeing the development of bottom-of-the-roster players and practice squad players. The Patriots could also look to improve their football analytics/research department (with Marshall Oium a name to watch) and their sports science department.

Following a dismal season in New England, it was thought that Mayo may not be the only casualty. However, Breer notes that ownership was impressed by Wolf during his first season at the helm. The executive worked on “modernizing the scouting department” and building out football operations. Wolf’s strategy won’t be completely foreign to Vrabel; as Breer writes, Tennessee’s Chad Brinker had a similar Green Bay-centric grading system, so New England’s head coach is already familiar with the perspective.

Vrabel is also familiar with a handful of other members of New England’s front office. Ohio State alums Camren Williams and Pat Stewart are the Patriots college and pro scouting directors (respectively). In fact, Vrabel recruited Williams to the Buckeyes when he was on Ohio State’s staff. Of course, Vrabel has also influenced some new additions to the front office dynamic. Ryan Cowden, who previously held multiple high-ranking roles in the Titans front office, was brought over to New England earlier this offseason. Breer notes that Cowden will definitively be under Wolf in the franchise’s pecking order.

Vrabel also continues to add to his coaching staff. According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Zak Kuhr has agreed to join the Patriots. Kuhr spent four seasons working under Vrabel in Tennessee, and he spent this past season on the Giants defensive coaching staff. Meanwhile, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports that John Streicher is also joining the staff in New England. “Stretch” spent this past year as the Rams game management coordinator, and he also has experience working alongside Vrabel in Tennessee.

The Patriots’ first season in their post-Belichick era revealed some major cracks in the organization’s foundation. While the team still isn’t operating with a traditional front office hierarchy, it doesn’t sound like there will be any power struggle between some of the team’s major voices.

Jaguars Schedule Second Robert Saleh HC Interview

January 23rd, 2025 at 6:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

TODAY, 6:35pm: Not so fast. With Liam Coen reportedly reentering the Jaguars HC mix, Saleh’s meeting with the organization is on hold. Dianna Russini of The Athletic says Saleh hasn’t traveled to Jacksonville for his meeting with the Jaguars, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow. Russini cautions that “plans are fluid,” but it sounds like Saleh is waiting to see how things unfold with Coen.

For what it’s worth, Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported that Saleh did indeed fly to Jacksonville before news broke of Coen’s renewed interest. However, multiple reports (including Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic) have said Saleh never traveled to Florida.

MONDAY, 4:30pm: With Ben Johnson having chosen the Bears, the AFC South team is looking at other options. After Robert Saleh impressed the Jaguars during his first meeting, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports a second interview is on tap.

Saleh will meet again with Jags brass Friday. The former Jets HC interviewed for the Cowboys and Raiders’ jobs and looks to have a 49ers DC reunion in his back pocket if another top job does not pan out. But Saleh appears to have a legitimate chance of landing another HC job months after being fired.

Saleh’s Cowboys and Raiders meetings commenced last week; he met with the Jags on January 14. While Saleh being a coveted option after three sub-.500 Jets seasons could speak to this year’s thinner talent pool — the long-held perception, at least — Gang Green’s tumble after Woody Johnson‘s abrupt decision to fire his head coach five games into this season may also have helped the defense-minded coach’s stock. The Jets went from 2-3 under Saleh this year to a 5-12 finish. The team also finished worse with Aaron Rodgers as a 17-game starter than it did with Saleh coaching Zach Wilson; the Jets went 7-10 in 2022 and ’23.

The Jags and Saleh have a short history together as well. Saleh’s springboard to his 49ers DC opportunity came after he coached the Jags’ linebackers from 2014-16. While this was not exactly a memorable period for the franchise, as it finished with double-digit losses in each of those years, Saleh was hired during Shad Khan‘s ownership tenure.

The Jets rocketed from last place in scoring and total defense in Saleh’s first season (2021) to fourth in both categories in his second. The Wilson-Nathaniel Hackett partnership put the Jets’ defense in tougher spots in 2023, when they ranked 12th in scoring. That season still produced a fourth-place finish in total defense for a unit doomed by the team’s untenable QB situation. Saleh would walk into a better spot in Jacksonville, but it remains to be seen if his resume would warrant such a bump so soon after a firing. A Saleh hire would also place great importance on identifying a play-caller to further Trevor Lawrence‘s development.

Buccaneers OC Liam Coen has been closely tied to this job. Although he has less experience on the coordinator level than Saleh, the former Sean McVay lieutenant has been mentioned as a name to watch here. It would not surprise if the Tampa Bay play-caller books a second interview as well. Via PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, here is how the Jags’ process looks as of Monday afternoon:

Trevon Diggs Underwent Knee Surgery

January 23rd, 2025 at 5:53pm CST by Ben Levine

Trevon Diggs might not be ready for the start of training camp, and there’s a chance the Cowboys cornerback is sidelined for even longer than that. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Diggs underwent chondral tissue graft surgery on his left knee today.

We previously heard that Diggs’ impending surgery could sideline him for the start of training camp. It was always expected that the player would undergo bone graft surgery, which requires a longer recovery time but would offer the best long-term outlook. It was initially suggested that recovery could take up to eight months, and that timeline would keep Diggs off the field through the start of the regular season.

Archer notes that Diggs underwent the surgery now vs. several weeks ago because “the growing of the graft” would “ensure best results.” Archer describes the procedure as “a more modern take on a micro-fracture surgery,” with the reporter comparing it to an operation that former Cowboys (and current Commanders) WR Noah Brown underwent earlier in his career.

Diggs was reportedly playing through significant pain this past season before suffering another cartilage issue. Diggs spent much of the 2024 campaign banged up, as the veteran battled a torn calf while also missing two games with designations of groin and knee injuries. Fortunately, this latest issue isn’t related to his ACL tear from the 2023 campaign.

The Cowboys are surely hoping the former second-round pick can return to form as soon as possible, as Diggs just completed the first year of his five-year, $97MM extension. The defensive back is only a few years removed from his prolific 11-interception season, and his 2022 follow-up was just as productive. After his 2023 campaign was wiped out by that aforementioned ACL injury, Diggs managed to get into 11 games during his comeback campaign. The 26-year-old finished the year with 42 tackles and a pair of interceptions, with Pro Football Focus grading him 91st among 118 qualifying cornerbacks.

Liam Coen Reenters Jaguars’ HC Mix; Deal Close?

January 23rd, 2025 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Liam Coen agreed to a Buccaneers extension, the Jaguars’ update to their front office setup looks to have changed the equation. Coen is back in the mix for the Jags, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.

[RELATED: Liam Coen Bows Out Of Jaguars’ HC Search, Agrees To Bucs Extension]

The Tampa Bay OC backed out of a second Jacksonville interview Wednesday; hours later, the Jags fired GM Trent Baalke. With Baalke gone, Coen appears more interested in the job. He is back on the radar, joining Robert Saleh, Patrick Graham and hopeful second interviewees Joe Brady and Kellen Moore in this search. With Coen back in play, it will be interesting to see if the Jags stick around to meet with Brady and Moore or if the former favorite lands a deal before then.

The Bucs had agreed on a raise for Coen to stay for a second season, but NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo connects the Baalke development to the young candidate being more interested in the job. Reports earlier this month indicated Baalke’s presence had turned off Jags HC candidates, and Coen almost definitely looks to have been among that group. After seeing Ben Johnson choose the Bears and Coen momentarily exit the picture, Shad Khan changed up.

Jacksonville is expected to hire a head coach before settling on a GM search, giving said HC considerable power. That understandably is appealing to Coen, who is huddling up with Jags brass barely 24 hours after initially refusing to do so. Coen is in Jacksonville, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who notes a deal may be close. Coen is only in the mix for the Jags job, but this would keep Brady and Moore in play for the other HC-needy teams.

In addition to the team’s decision to move on from Baalke, it sounds like the Jaguars’ persistence also helped lure Coen back to Jacksonville. Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz says the Jaguars “reached out repeatedly” with the logic that the coach would have to deny their inquiries multiple times. While the Jaguars are considering multiple candidates for the job, it sounds like Coen is the clear favorite. Schultz notes that a deal hasn’t been finalized, but Khan has identified Coen as “his guy.”

Meanwhile, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says the Buccaneers haven’t spoken with Coen since yesterday afternoon, although that wasn’t due to a lack of trying. The Bucs tried reaching out to their OC but haven’t been able to reach him. Instead of immediately inking a new contract with Tampa Bay, Coen “secretly” traveled to Jacksonville to meet with the Jaguars. While The Athletic’s Diana Russini says the Buccaneers’ multiple calls to Coen have gone unanswered, ESPN’S Adam Schefter reports that Coen reached out to Todd Bowles directly to inform his boss of the renewed interest in the Jaguars job.

Coen’s stint as the Rams offensive coordinator didn’t go as planned, but the coach rehabilitated his image with a strong season in Tampa Bay. The new OC helped guide Baker Mayfield to the strongest season of his career, as the QB tossed 41 touchdown passes — 13 more than his previous career-high mark. As a result, Coen found himself on the head coaching radar, and it sounds like he’s currently in a can’t-lose situation. The coach can either return to a familiar spot in Tampa Bay before reentering the hiring cycle next offseason, or he can join a relatively attractive situation in Jacksonville.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

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