Today marks the first Sunday of the NFL offseason. The coming months will see plenty of notable changes, though, and recent days have also produced a number of headlines. Here is a quick recap of the past week:
- Raiders Hire Kubiak, Promote Leonard: As Klint Kubiak oversaw Seattle’s offense during the Super Bowl, it was widely known he would be departing for a head coaching gig. Indeed, the one-year Seahawks offensive coordinator was officially hired as the new head coach of the Raiders shortly after the big game. Kubiak’s stock has risen in recent years, but the 38-year-old has never been a head coach at any level. He will play a leading role in leading Vegas’ rebuild, one which will no doubt soon include the selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the draft. Kubiak has elected to promote from within by tapping Rob Leonard as defensive coordinator; meanwhile, veteran staffer Joe DeCamillis will serve as his special teams coordinator.
- Carr Contemplating Comeback: Last spring, Derek Carr ended his Saints tenure by announcing his retirement. His injured throwing shoulder left an in-season return unfeasible, but things could be different now. Carr’s shoulder has healed, and he is open to resuming his career under the right circumstances. The four-time Pro Bowler is, to no surprise, interested in joining a Super Bowl-caliber team and will thus be picky when considering his options. Carr, 34, is a veteran of 11 seasons and 169 starts in the NFL. During an offseason where demand will again outweigh supply at the QB spot, Carr could be seen as a viable free agent option for at least some suitors.
- Rams’ Havenstein Retires: Throughout his 11 years with the Rams, Rob Havenstein operated as the team’s starting right tackle. That streak will not continue into 2026, however, with the veteran announcing his retirement. Injuries were present through much of Havenstein’s NFL tenure (which included time in St. Louis and Los Angeles), and he was limited to just seven games in 2025. Instead of testing the open market this spring, the 33-year-old will turn his attention to his post-playing days. The Rams will need to find a replacement starter at the right tackle spot, and the team will of course hope for a sustained run of play at the level Havenstein provided.
- Taylor Promoted To Bears OC: The Bears saw Declan Doyle depart to join the Ravens as their new offensive coordinator as part of this year’s hiring cycle. That left Chicago in need of a new OC for head coach Ben Johnson‘s second season at the helm. Instead of going outside the organization, the Bears have promoted Press Taylor to the offensive coordinator role. Zac Taylor‘s brother has OC experience at the NFL level, having held that title for three seasons during his tenure in Jacksonville. Taylor will not call plays, as Johnson will retain those responsibilities for 2026. Nevertheless, he will occupy a key role as the Bears aim to duplicate their 2025 success.
- Seahawks Could Produce Record-Breaking Sale: The Seahawks continue to celebrate their Super Bowl victory, but this offseason could prove to be busy on a number of fronts. One of those could be a sale of the franchise, and that process is expected to begin shortly. Once Jody Allen has completed the process of lining up a buyer, a new record in terms of valuation is expected. The Seahawks could generate a price tag between $9 and $11 billion, something which would shatter the record regarding the sale of a North American sports franchise. The Commanders sold for just over $6 billion in 2023, but the ongoing surge in values for NFL teams could easily see that figure eclipsed. The league is looking to get the sales process underway shortly, and next month’s league meetings could see further developments emerge.