Vikings Expect QB Competition In 2026
Although he missed his entire rookie campaign with a torn meniscus in his right knee, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy entered 2025 as the team’s unquestioned starter. After the former Michigan Wolverine’s first year at the helm didn’t go as planned, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that they expect to bring in competition for McCarthy in the offseason.
Adofo-Mensah used the 10th overall pick on McCarthy two years ago. However, when meeting with the media on Tuesday, he stopped short of guaranteeing the 22-year-old a starting job in 2026 (via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune).
Asked if he wants McCarthy to start next season, Adofo-Mensah said: “I want the Vikings to achieve our goals. And I think one of those goals is to make playoff runs. I think he has the character and ability to be the person to do that. If I say that in 2026, that kind of binds us into a certain area.”
On the possibility of a quarterback competition, O’Connell stated (via Rob Kleifield of the team’s website): “I think there has to be. That’s what’s going to make everybody better in that room. It’s going to be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.”
With McCarthy on the shelf a year ago, the Vikings turned to a battle-tested veteran option in Sam Darnold. Even If McCarthy didn’t go down with his injury in the preseason, the plan was always for Darnold to at least start 2024 under center. It couldn’t have gone much better for the Vikings, who stunningly finished 14-3 under Darnold.
Despite fizzling out in the playoffs, Darnold went on to land a three-year, $100.5MM contract with the Seahawks in free agency last March. With the Seahawks now sitting as the No. 1 seed in the NFC heading into the divisional round, Darnold proved his 2024 breakout wasn’t a fluke.
The Vikings, on the other hand, didn’t get much from their quarterbacks during a 9-8 year in which they failed to reach the postseason. Three different injuries – a high ankle sprain, a concussion and a hairline fracture in his right hand – limited McCarthy to 10 games. While the Vikings went 6-4 in his starts, McCarthy threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). He completed just 57.6% of passes while ranking near the bottom in the league in traditional passer rating (72.6) and QBR (35.7).
Late-August free agent pickup Carson Wentz arguably performed better than McCarthy in his five starts, but a shoulder injury knocked him out for the year in late October. With McCarthy and Wentz unavailable, the Vikings had to turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer for two starts. Brosmer fared horribly in those outings, which is part of the reason the Vikings will have to look outside for QB help in the coming months.
If the Vikings had been successful in their attempt to to re-sign Daniel Jones last year, they’d have been in better position to handle McCarthy’s performance- and injury-related struggles in 2025. But Jones, who ended 2024 in Minnesota after flaming out with the Giants, accepted the Colts’ less lucrative offer because he saw a clearer path to playing time in Indianapolis. It wound up as a wise decision for Jones, who revived his career before tearing his Achilles in early December.
Despite a major injury, Jones is a strong bet to earn a much richer deal than the one-year, $14MM pact he signed with the Colts last offseason. While Jones is interested in re-signing with the Colts, he could end up back on the Vikings’ radar if he reaches free agency in March.
Wentz, Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, Geno Smith, Malik Willis, Aaron Rodgers (who held talks with the Vikings a year ago), ex-Viking Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Justin Fields and Anthony Richardson are among other signal-callers facing uncertain futures as either trade candidates, release possibilities or soon-to-be free agents. Depending on how aggressive the Vikings are at the position in the offseason, any of those passers could fit into their plans.
Adofo-Mensah noted the Vikings are still “excited about where [McCarthy] can go.” That suggests they may not make a significant splash under center, but their handling of the game’s most important position will be a key offseason storyline.
49ers Designate Fred Warner For Return
Fred Warner‘s lengthy onramp to a potential playoff cameo will pass a key mile marker Tuesday. Warner is returning to 49ers practice.
The 49ers are designating the All-Pro linebacker for return, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner notes. A reemergence in Saturday’s divisional-round game is not expected, per Wagoner, but a comeback for a potential NFC championship game is in play.
[RELATED: Injured Reserve Return Tracker]
Sidelined with a fractured and dislocated ankle since mid-October, Warner has made considerable progress. Rumblings about a potential return before season’s end surfaced soon after. As recently as early December, however, it was considered unlikely. Two weeks ago, however, the prospect of Warner coming back gained steam. He progressed to running on a side field last week, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows notes.
Snake-bitten by injuries yet again, the 49ers finished their wild-card win in Philadelphia down three first-team All-Pros. Nick Bosa has been out for months and is not coming back. George Kittle went down during the game with an Achilles tear; Kittle has already undergone surgery, per Kyle Shanahan. Warner has not played since Week 6. Still, the 49ers found a way to win, rallying behind Christian McCaffrey — who missed most of last season before returning in full force this year — and a returning Trent Williams to eliminate the defending champion Eagles.
The 49ers played the Eagles without others at linebacker. The team suited up for its wild-card assignment without starters Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune. Warner’s primary replacement, Bethune is out for the remainder of the season. Winters played all 17 regular-season games but missed the wild-card outing with an ankle injury. With Warner not set to come off IR until at least next week — should the 49ers pull an upset in Seattle — Winters’ status this week will be something to closely monitor. Garret Wallow, who began the season with the the Broncos, and Eric Kendricks — an 11th-year veteran who had committed to the 49ers in 2024 only to reconsider and join the Cowboys — played extensively Sunday and would be in line to do so again if Winters cannot go against the Seahawks.
Following Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman in becoming a perennial All-Pro as a San Francisco linebacker, Warner landed his second extension this offseason. The 49ers gave their dominant second-level defender a three-year, $63MM deal. As injuries have hounded the team in most years, Warner had been the constant, staying on the field and establishing a Hall of Fame-caliber resume by soaring to four All-Pro first teams. Warner, 29, had missed only one career game coming into this season. He played through a leg fracture in 2024. He will now attempt a return to action after a serious injury.
Eagles Interested In Kevin Stefanski, Kliff Kingsbury For OC
The Eagles are in the market for an offensive coordinator after removing Kevin Patullo from the position on Tuesday. Although the unit fell well short of expectations in 2025, there remains plenty of talent on hand. That could help head coach Nick Sirianni lure a high-profile name to replace Patullo.
Former head coaches Kevin Stefanski and Kliff Kingsbury are among the possibilities for Philadelphia. The team will give both Stefanski and Kingsbury “a real look” in its search for Patullo’s replacement, a league source told Josina Anderson of The Exhibit.
Stefanski lost his job as the Browns’ head coach after the season, but he stands a good chance of immediately landing a second HC opportunity. The 43-year-old is reportedly a Plan B option for the Giants and Falcons if they don’t hire John Harbaugh.
As PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker shows, Stefanski has also interviewed with the Ravens, Raiders, Titans and Dolphins. The AFC North veteran may have yet another option if the Steelers, who saw Mike Tomlin resign on Tuesday, come calling.
Although he’s a Philadelphia native, the widespread interest in Stefanski as a head coach may make him an unrealistic target for the Eagles. Kingsbury, meanwhile, has interviewed for the Ravens’ head coaching position. The Titans also requested a meeting, but it’s unknown if or when that will occur. It’s also unclear if anyone else will consider Kingsbury for their HC opening.
Like Stefanski, Kingsbury is seeking his second opportunity as a head coach. He led the Cardinals to a 28-37-1 record from 2019-22. While that’s an unimpressive mark, Kingsbury guided the Cardinals to their most recent playoff berth in 2021. He also meshed well with much-maligned quarterback Kyler Murray, who made the Pro Bowl twice under Kingsbury. Murray hasn’t regained that form since Kingsbury’s exit.
Kingsbury, who coached at Houston and Texas Tech from 2008-18, returned to the college level as a senior offensive analyst at USC in 2023. That was quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last season with the Trojans. He joined the Bears as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. Kingsbury also went back to the pros that year as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator under head coach Dan Quinn.
Washington followed Chicago in selecting a QB with its top pick, choosing Jayden Daniels second overall. With Kingsbury at the controls, Daniels enjoyed a jaw-dropping introduction to the pros. The dual threat rolled to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and helped the Commanders to an NFC Championship Game appearance. They suffered a lopsided defeat to Philadelphia, potentially Kingsbury’s next employer.
After the Commanders’ offense finished top seven in scoring and yardage a year ago, expectations were the unit would continue to thrive in 2025. Injuries, including to Daniels and No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin (among others), played a significant role in preventing that.
With three different injuries holding Daniels to seven starts, Washington’s offense fell to 22nd overall in points and yards. The team and Kingsbury parted ways after a bitterly disappointing 5-12 campaign, sending him back to coaching free agency.
With Kingsbury now on the Eagles’ radar, it’s worth pointing out that there’s familiarity between the two sides. Before Kingsbury went to Washington in 2024, he interviewed to become the Eagles’ O-coordinator. They instead chose Kellen Moore, who went on to assist in a Super Bowl-winning campaign. Thanks in large part to an otherworldly season from running back Saquon Barkley, the Eagles boasted one of the league’s best offenses then.
Moore parlayed his success in his lone season with the Eagles into the Saints’ head coaching gig. His departure led Sirianni to bump Patullo up from his previous role as the team’s pass game coordinator. The promotion didn’t go as planned for Patullo, who looked in over his head. Despite an enviable collection of linemen and skill players such as Barkley, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, the Eagles were an underwhelming 19th in scoring and 24th in yards in 2025.
Facing a banged-up 49ers defense in the wild-card round, the Eagles mustered just 307 total yards in a 23-19 loss on Sunday. Two days later, they’re looking for a new offensive leader. Depending on how the HC hiring cycle unfolds, either Stefanski or Kingsbury could end up as Sirianni’s choice to revive a stagnant offense in 2026.
Vikings’ ‘No. 1 Priority’ Will Be Retaining DC Brian Flores
Brian Flores is a coaching free agent. While the Vikings have wanted to extend their three-year defensive coordinator, no deal has emerged. Minnesota has seen HC and DC interest come Flores’ way as this year’s coaching carousel starts.
A report Monday indicated the Vikings were confident they can retain their DC, and Kevin O’Connell has since called doing so the team’s “No. 1 priority.” Flores’ contract officially expires Wednesday, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Once it does, the Vikings cannot block him from DC interviews.
“I think he’s more than deserving, everything he’s brought to our organization over these last three years,” O’Connell said, via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Emily Leiker. “Not surprised people are wanting to talk to him about that role. Excited for him to do so, all while knowing our No. 1 priority — really before the season even ended — our No. 1 priority has been to get that thing done with him.”
Thus far, Flores has received one HC interview; he met with the Ravens today. The Commanders have made it known they want to meet with him about their DC vacancy. Other teams surely have him on their radar as well.
Flores coached linebackers with the Steelers in 2022, with Pittsburgh becoming a fallback option after the former Dolphins HC sued the NFL and three teams (now four) for discrimination. That lawsuit is ongoing, complicating Flores’ road back to a head coaching opportunity, though Mike Tomlin vacating the Steelers’ HC chair could lead to an interview. Eight other teams are filling their HC posts, and the coordinator carousel will ignite as those top jobs are filled. That will undoubtedly lead to more Flores buzz.
Flores, 44, has indicated an openness to working another deal out with the Vikings. But he has fared well enough as their DC big offers — perhaps on the Vic Fangio level — could emerge soon. If Flores does leave, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said (via Leiker) he would not expect much scheme change. This could point to DBs coach Daronte Jones — a rumored successor option — being promoted. Jones is, however, in play for the Cowboys and Jets’ DC jobs.
Browns Schedule HC Interview With Jesse Minter
JANUARY 13: Minter will interview with the Browns on Friday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
JANUARY 9: Jesse Minter‘s list of suitors continues to grow. The Chargers’ defensive coordinator has received a head coaching interview request from the Browns, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
Earlier today, Minter received a slip from the Titans. The 42-year-old has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Ravens. No known interview request has been made by Baltimore as of yet, but that could still change over the coming days in the case of that team and others in the market for a head coach.
Minter has defensive coordinator experience at the college and NFL levels. He has worked under Jim Harbaugh for each of the past four years. The pair won a national championship at Michigan in 2023 before joining the Chargers. Los Angeles has enjoyed a defensive turnaround under Minter, finishing first in the NFL in points allowed last year before ranking ninth in 2025.
The Chargers are set to play in the wild-card round for the second year in a row. As a result, Minter cannot be interviewed until next week. His initial set of meetings with interested teams will be virtual, and it must conclude before the end of the divisional round. By that point, the full list of suitors in this case will be known.
The Browns began their search for Kevin Stefanski‘s replacement by looking internally. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and DC Jim Schwartz have already interviewed for the head coaching position. Earlier today, the first pair of outside targets emerged. More will no doubt become linked to Cleveland over the coming days, but few candidates on the market will have as strong of a resume as Minter.
Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand for the Browns:
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): To interview 1/9
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Rumored mutual interest
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Rumored candidate
- Jeese Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To interview 1/16
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): To interview 1/9
- Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
Dolphins Arrange HC Meetings With Kevin Stefanski, Patrick Graham
9:09pm: Graham will interview in Miami on Jan. 19, per Josina Anderson of The Exhibit.
3:52pm: An interview between Kevin Stefanski and the Dolphins regarding their HC vacancy has been expected. One will indeed take place.
Miami will interview Stefanski today, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. The meeting will be in person, which comes as no surprise. As a coach who is currently not under contract with another team. Stefanski is free to speak with suitors at any time.
The two-time Coach of the Year was seen by many as the top candidate on the market when his Browns tenure ended last Monday. The Ravens have since fired John Harbaugh, though, and he now represents the No. 1 target for several teams. Recent reports have pointed to the Giants and Falcons as the frontrunners in Harbaugh’s case. The coaching market may not see much movement until the Super Bowl winner makes his decision.
Stefanski’s fate may be closely tied to Harbaugh’s. Both Atlanta and New York are perceived to have Stefanski classified as Plan B in the event they are unable to land Harbaugh. Interest from other teams remains, of course, which leaves plenty of unanswered questions at this point in the hiring cycle. The Dolphins are among the teams which have been in contact with Harbaugh,
New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan is now on the interview committee that also includes Stephen Ross, Dan Marino, Troy Aikman, president Tom Garfinkel, senior VP of football administration Brandon Shore and Ross son-in-law Daniel Sillman, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweets. Aikman was onboard for the GM search, but the Hall of Fame quarterback-turned-announcing mainstay is helping the team find a head coach as well.
Stefanski has also interviewed with the Ravens, Raiders and Titans, making Miami his sixth meeting. The ex-Browns HC seems likely, even with Harbaugh and now Mike Tomlin unemployed, to land a second-chance job this offseason. Stefanski piloted a moribund Browns franchise to its second and third playoff berths since respawning back in 1999, taking Cleveland to the postseason in 2020 and ’23. The latter qualification was particularly impressive considering the Deshaun Watson albatross contract was on the books then; Stefanski earned his second Coach of the Year honor for reaching the playoffs behind in-season free agent signing Joe Flacco. The Browns winning just eight games over the past two seasons doomed the acclaimed leader, however.
In addition to the Stefanski meeting, the Dolphins have requested to interview Raiders DC Patrick Graham. The four-year Las Vegas staffer received an interview slip, per Pelissero. This would give Graham a chance at a Miami return. Graham spent the 2019 season as the Dolphins’ DC, serving in that capacity in Brian Flores‘ first HC season. Graham called Dolphins defensive plays in 2019, but the team allowed him to leave and become the Giants’ DC in 2020.
Graham managed to retain his Raiders DC role under three HCs, being retained by Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll. The Commanders are also hoping to meet with Graham about their DC gig.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/13/26
The NFL’s latest reserve/futures deals…
Buffalo Bills
- OL Nick Broeker
Indianapolis Colts
- LB Devin Veresuk
Los Angeles Chargers
- LS Peter Bowden, WR Dalevon Campbell, DL TeRah Edwards, WR Luke Grimm, WR JaQuae Jackson, RB Amar Johnson, LB Emany Johnson, C Josh Kaltenberger, TE Tanner McLachlan, OLB Garmon Randolph, G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei, CB Isas Waxter, TE Thomas Yassmin
New York Giants
- DL Marlon Tuipulota
Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/13/26
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Alex Johnson
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Miles Battle, RB D’Ernest Johnson, OT Lorenz Metz, WR Trent Sherfield
- Released: DL Fabien Lovett, WR Brandon Smith
The Patriots are the third team of the season for Sherfield, who spent time with the Broncos and Cardinals. Sherfield has never been much of a receiving threat (he combined for three catches in 12 games with Denver and Arizona), but he has been a solid special teamer since his career began in 2018. The 29-year-old posted a 51% special teams snap share in 10 games with the Broncos. After they cut him in mid-November, he played 63% of ST snaps in two contests with the Cardinals.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/13/26
Four playoff teams made minor moves on Tuesday. Here’s a look:
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return from IR: TE Lucas Krull
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: OLB Nick Hampton
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: TE George Kittle (story)
- Signed from practice squad: TE Brayden Willis
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return from IR: ILB Chazz Surratt
In the wake of Kittle’s season-ending Achilles tear, the 49ers are calling on Willis to serve as depth behind Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell. Willis, a 2023 seventh-round pick from Oklahoma, has appeared in 23 games with the 49ers in three seasons. He played in six of the 49ers’ regular-season contests in 2025 and logged 98 of his 111 snaps on special teams.
Surratt, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 12, missed the Seahawks’ last six games of the regular season. He got an extra week to recover after top-seeded Seattle earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. With the Seahawks preparing to host the 49ers in a divisional round matchup Saturday, Surratt could return to action. The 28-year-old wasn’t a factor on defense in the regular season, but he posted a 40% snap share on special teams. Surratt finished second among Seahawks special teamers in tackles (11).
Cardinals Request HC Interview With Texans DC Matt Burke
After overseeing another dominant performance on Monday, Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke has landed on the Cardinals’ radar as a head coaching candidate. The Cardinals have requested an interview with Burke, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
The Cardinals are familiar with Burke, who worked as their defensive line coach in 2022. That was Kliff Kingsbury‘s last year as Arizona’s head coach. The team is now looking for a replacement for Kingsbury’s successor, Jonathan Gannon, who lost his job after going 15-36 in three seasons.
After his lone season in the desert, Burke joined DeMeco Ryans‘ staff as Houston’s defensive coordinator. Burke previously garnered experience in that role with the Dolphins from 2017-18.
Ryans called the defensive plays during Burke’s first two seasons, both AFC South-winning campaigns, and did so again to begin 2025. However, Ryans handed those duties to Burke after an 0-3 start. The Texans then rolled to a 26-0 shutout over the Titans in Week 4, which began a superb run for the Texans’ defense and the team as a whole.
Although the Texans didn’t win a third straight division title, Burke’s defense led them to a 12-5 record and another playoff berth. Houston finished the season first in total defense, second in scoring, third in takeaways and eighth in sacks. The team’s stop unit continued its tremendous play when it overwhelmed the Steelers in a 30-6 wild-card round win on Monday. In what proved to be Mike Tomlin‘s last game as Pittsburgh’s head coach, the Texans scored two defensive touchdowns (one on a fumble return, another on an interception return), picked up four sacks and held the Steelers to a measly 175 total yards.
Burke and the Cardinals are preparing to take on the Patriots in the divisional round on Sunday. In the meantime, he could speak with the Cardinals sometime this week. Here’s their current list of head coaching candidates, courtesy of PFR’s HC Search Tracker:
- Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Patriots): Interview requested
- Matt Burke, defensive coordinator (Texans): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): To interview
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To interview 1/13
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): To interview
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9