Matt Nagy In Lead For Titans’ HC Job?

With Jeff Hafley nearing an agreement to become the Dolphins’ head coach, that leaves one fewer candidate for the Titans. Tennessee had lined up a second interview with Hafley, but the team will have to look elsewhere. It appears the Titans are zeroing in on former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who “sure feels like” the frontrunner for the job, per Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.

Nagy’s second interview with the Titans is scheduled for Tuesday. San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is holding his second interview with Tennessee today. Saleh’s clearly still in the running, but it looks as if he’s facing an uphill climb to beat out Nagy for the role.

Unlike Saleh, Nagy has an extensive working relationship with Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi. That may ultimately tip the scales in Nagy’s favor. Borgonzi, who’s leading the Titans’ head coaching search, was a Chiefs employee from 2009-24. Nagy was an important part of the Chiefs’ coaching staff from 2013-17 and again from 2022-25.

While Nagy could remain in Kansas City in 2026, that looks unlikely. With Nagy’s contract up, the Chiefs are expected to hire Eric Bienemy as their offensive coordinator. The Cardinals, Ravens and Raiders have joined the Titans in interviewing Nagy for their head coaching positions. It’s unknown where the 47-year-old will go in 2026 if he’s not a head coach.

If Tennessee or another team hands Nagy the reins, he’ll aim for a longer tenure and better results in his second attempt as an NFL head coach. Nagy coached the Bears to a 34-31 record during a four-year run from 2018-21. He won Coach of the Year in his first season and helped the Bears to the playoffs twice, but an inability to develop a franchise quarterback played a large role in his firing. The Bears went 8-8 or worse in their last three seasons under Nagy, who couldn’t get enough from former first-round QBs Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields.

Nagy has since been part of three AFC-winning teams and two Super Bowl champions in Kansas City, where he has worked with future Hall of Fame signal-caller Patrick Mahomes. However, head coach Andy Reid – not Nagy – has been responsible for calling the offensive plays. Nagy doesn’t plan on calling the plays if he becomes a head coach again (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network), which will make it all the more crucial for him to identify the right offensive coordinator.

If the Titans choose Nagy, they’ll count on him and his offensive staff to turn Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, into a franchise QB. Ward showed flashes as a rookie, but coaching instability (the team fired Brian Callahan in mid-October and rode out a 3-14 season with Mike McCoy) and a subpar supporting cast led to poor results in 2025.

Cardinals Scheduled In-Person Interview With Robert Saleh

The Titans have identified Robert Saleh as a finalist for their head coaching vacancy, and they’re apparently not the only organization to move the 49ers DC to the second-round of their interview process. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Saleh is scheduled for an in-person interview with the Cardinals on Tuesday.

[RELATED: Titans To Conduct In-Person Robert Saleh HC Interview]

Saleh emerged as a target for Arizona’s head coaching gig earlier this month. He had his first interview with the Cardinals last Thursday. Since then, the 49ers have been eliminated from the postseason, including an ugly performance this past weekend when the Seahawks offense found the end zone on four occasions. Of course, that singular performance wouldn’t be enough to dissuade teams from considering the former Jets head coach.

While his New York stint didn’t go as planned, Saleh has rehabilitated his image during his first season back in San Francisco. Despite the 49ers missing top defenders like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for much of the campaign, San Francisco still finished the regular season with a 12-5 record. The defense wasn’t unbeatable; they ranked just 20th in total defense and 13th in points allowed. However, Saleh reinforced his reputation of getting the most out of his defensive personnel.

Saleh’s candidacy in Arizona would likely be dependent on the status of his active interview in Tennessee. The coach is currently interviewing for the Titans job, and there’s a chance the organization doesn’t let him out of the building without a deal. In that scenario, the Cardinals would be forced to pivot to another candidate.

Among those names is Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who is considered a “strong candidate” for the job. The other definitive and rumored candidates include:

Ravens Expected To Conduct HC Interview With Darren Rizzi

The Ravens have conducted a wide-ranging first round of interviews in their search for a head coach. The list of candidates in their case is set to grow even further, however.

Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is expected to interview with Baltimore, 9News’ Mike Klis reports. Rizzi spoke with the Giants earlier this month before New York ultimately hired John Harbaugh. Now, he is set to be among the options to replace Harbaugh as the Ravens’ head coach.

Rizzi has a lengthy track record as a special teams coach, something which is particularly notable since that was also the case for Harbaugh when he arrived in Baltimore in 2008. Rizzi has been a ST coordinator with the Dolphins (2011-18), Saints (2019-24) and Broncos (2025). The 55-year-old was New Orleans’ interim head coach to close out last season after Dennis Allen was fired. He reunited with longtime colleague Sean Payton last winter by joining Denver.

In addition to his brief run leading a staff with the Saints, Rizzi held the title of assistant head coach in New Orleans. He also worked as an associate head coach during his final two years in Miami. At the college level, Rizzi’s Rutgers tenure included four years as an assistant head coach. On two occasions – with Division-II New Haven from 1999-2001 and with Rhode Island in 2008 – Rizzi has worked as a standalone head coach.

That gives him more experience than some of the other candidates connected to Baltimore’s HC opening to date. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has left the door open to a first-time coaching hire or a second opportunity for one of the veterans on the market. Balance between staffers with a background on offense and defense has been struck so far in Baltimore’s search, but Rizzi is the only candidate to date with one on special teams.

Since the Broncos advanced to the AFC title game, Rizzi (and colleagues like Vance Joseph and Davis Webb) cannot conduct an interview this week. Over the coming days, the Ravens may wind up making a hire depending on how many more dominoes fall around the NFL. In any case, a Rizzi interview will be something to watch for once it becomes possible.

Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand for Baltimore:

Bills Promote Brandon Beane To President Of Football Operations/GM

After their latest gut-wrenching postseason loss, the Bills made the eye-opening decision to fire longtime head coach Sean McDermott on Monday. McDermott spent his entire nine-year tenure in Buffalo alongside general manager Brandon Beane, but they’re not walking out the door together. Rather, the Bills promoted Beane to president of football operations/GM on Monday.

As part of a lengthy statement, owner Terry Pegula announced: “Brandon will oversee all facets of our football operation, including the oversight of our coaching staff. I have full faith in and have witnessed Brandon’s outstanding leadership style and have confidence in his abilities to lead our organization.”

Beane will lead the search for McDermott’s successor, though Pegula and president of business operations Pete Guelli will also have input. The Bills’ next head coach will report to Beane. McDermott, on the other hand, reported to Pegula.

This will be the first head coaching hire of Beane’s career. The former Panthers executive took over as the Bills’ GM in May 2017, four months after McDermott joined the organization. The two were familiar with one another after teaming up in Carolina, where McDermott was the defensive coordinator for six years before Buffalo picked him as its sideline leader.

In the first season of the McDermott-Beane era, the Bills unexpectedly finished 9-7 with Tyrod Taylor under center and snapped a 17-year playoff drought. That was the first in a long line of successful seasons for the two.

Before McDermott’s firing, he was at the helm for seven straight seasons of 10-plus wins. The Bills have posted a 98-50 regular-season record with eight playoff berths and five AFC East titles since 2017. However, an inability to get over the hump in the playoffs and capitalize on the presence of superstar quarterback Josh Allen, whom Beane traded up for and drafted seventh overall in 2018, led to McDermott’s ouster.

Allen has generally thrived in the playoffs, but he and the Bills didn’t get past the AFC Championship Game under McDermott. They lost each of their AFC title game appearances to the Chiefs (2020 and ’24). While the Bills won 12 regular-season games in 2025 and beat the Jaguars in the wild-card round to secure McDermott’s eighth playoff victory, their season concluded with a 33-30 overtime loss to the Broncos in the divisional round.

Although McDermott never guided the Bills to the Super Bowl, there’s a strong argument Beane didn’t provide the coach enough talent. An inability to land difference-makers in the draft has been an issue. As Benjamin Solak of ESPN notes, in 56 picks since cashing in big with the Allen choice, Beane has drafted just two players who have gone to the Pro Bowl (running back James Cook and tight end Dawson Knox).

Cook and Knox were important parts of another productive Bills offense in 2025, but Beane’s failure to find a high-end receiver since cutting ties with Stefon Diggs in 2024 continued weighing the team down this season. While the Bills were connected to names such as Jaylen Waddle, Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, Beane didn’t pull off any deals.

After striking out at the deadline, Beane wound up signing well-traveled wideout Brandin Cooks, whom the Saints released, three weeks later. Cooks made a clutch 36-yard grab on a game-winning drive in Jacksonville, but an inability to secure a deep pass against the Broncos in overtime played a major role in the Bills’ loss. A bang-bang play was ruled an interception for Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who wrestled the ball from Cooks and prevented the Bills from potentially setting up for the game-winning field goal.

Had the controversial Cooks play been ruled a catch, there’s a good chance McDermott would be preparing for the third AFC title game of his coaching career. He’s out of a job just two days later, though, leaving Beane to search for a worthy successor.

Broncos Designate RB J.K. Dobbins For Return From IR

The Broncos will be without their starting quarterback for Sunday’s AFC championship game. There is at least a slight chance their backfield will be at full strength for the contest, however.

Running back J.K. Dobbins is having his practice window opened, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He adds there is a possibility at this point Dobbins could suit up against the Patriots this week. The likelihood of that taking place will be worth monitoring over the coming days.

A Lisfranc injury suffered in Week 10 threatened to end Dobbins’ 2025 season, his first in Denver. The six-year veteran had enjoyed a productive year up to that point, posting 772 rushing yards in 10 games. The chance of a return in time for the Super Bowl emerged following surgery, however, and that is certainly a possibility with the Broncos one win away from getting there.

Denver’s offense will be a question mark given the fact Bo Nix broke a bone in his right ankle during overtime of the team’s divisional round win. As a result, Jarrett Stidham will handle starting duties after spending each of the past three seasons as the Broncos’ backup (logging only a pair of starts over that span). Needless to say, a strong running game would be welcomed by Denver. A healthy Dobbins would go a long way in ensuring that were possible.

Since Dobbins went down, second-round rookie RJ Harvey has become a key figure on offense. Harvey has posted between 11 and 23 offensive touches each game without Dobbins available. A heavy workload can once again be expected against New England, particularly if Dobbins is not activated from injured reserve in time for the game.

Dobbins, 27, spent the 2024 season with the Chargers after his Ravens tenure came to an end. The Ohio State product is attached to a second straight one-year contract, an illustration of his struggles to stay healthy over the course of his career. A return to the lineup this week or (potentially) in time for the Super Bowl would see Dobbins add to his Broncos production, though, something which could help him boost his market value.

Texans Will Pick Up QB C.J. Stroud’s Fifth-Year Option; Team To Discuss Offseason Extension

JANUARY 19: When speaking to the media on Monday, Anderson stated he hopes to spend his entire career in Houston. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 confirms talks on a mega-extension are expected, and it would come as no surprise if one were to be finalized during the spring.

JANUARY 12: For now, the Texans’ attention is focused on their upcoming wild-card game and any further playoff contests which follow. Once the season is over, a number of notable contract decisions will need to be made.

This offseason will mark the first point at which 2023 draftees can sign extensions. That means quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson could land new contracts relatively soon. At a minimum, a choice on the fifth-year option for both players will need to be made by the spring. Neither case should prove to be particularly difficult on that front.

To no surprise, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms the Texans will exercise Stroud’s option (video link). That comes as no surprise given the 24-year-old’s success early in his career. Houston advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs in each of Stroud’s first two seasons, and a win tonight will extend that streak to three years. Exercising the option will set Stroud up for $26.53MM in 2027.

A long-term pact will of course cost much more than that. Per Rapoport, the Texans will weigh the possibility of working out a second contract this offseason against waiting until after the 2026 campaign is over. The market currently contains 11 passers attached to an average annual value of $51MM or more. Stroud can be expected to join that group whenever his next Texans contract is in place. The status of negotiations will make for a central Texans offseason storyline.

Stroud was selected second overall in the 2023 draft. Houston traded up to the No. 3 spot to add Anderson. Expectations were high in his case as a result, but the former Defensive Rookie of the Year has developed into a major factor in his team’s success. Anderson reached double-digit sacks for the first time in 2024, and he set a new career high in that department this season with 12. That production helped land him a first-team All-Pro nod along with the second Pro Bowl invitation of his career.

Houston will also look into an Anderson extension this offseason, Rapoport adds. In November, it was reported the Texans were expected to explore an early agreement on this front. Picking up Anderson’s fifth-year option will tie him to a 2027 salary of $15.28MM. An extension could move the Alabama product near the top of the pass rush market, one which is currently paced by Micah Parsons at $46.5MM per year.

Working out an agreement with either Stroud or Anderson will of course significantly alter the Texans’ cap outlook for years to come. A strong core is in place, but maintaining it will become more challenging as their respective costs increase. Massive new deals being finalized in either case will come as no surprise, but the timing on both fronts will be interesting to monitor.

Buccaneers To Conduct OC Interview With Dan Pitcher

The list of Buccaneers candidates to replace Josh Grizzard continues to grow. Dan Pitcher will be the latest staffer to speak with the team about its offensive coordinator opening.

An interview between the parties will take place this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Pitcher has previously spoken with Tampa Bay for the OC spot. He remained in place with the Bengals during the 2024 offseason, however, with Brian Callahan taking the Titans’ head coaching position that year. That departure resulted in Pitcher being promoted from QBs coach to offensive coordinator.

Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor has handled play-calling duties since his arrival. That will continue moving forward. As Rapoport notes, Taylor granted Pitcher permission to seek out a lateral move to another OC gig if it were to allow him the opportunity to call plays. That would be the case in Tampa Bay. The Bucs were impressed with Pitcher the first time he interviewed with them, per Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.

Pitcher, 39, first entered the NFL in 2013 with the Colts as part of their scouting department. His entire tenure on the sidelines has come as a member of the Bengals’ staff, though. Pitcher conducted an interview with the Browns for their head coaching position, but an OC gig would be more realistic in his case. It will be interesting to see if further coordinator interviews are lined over the coming days.

A long list of candidates has emerged for the Bucs as their search for a Josh Grizzard replacement continues. Callahan himself, along with Falcons OC Zac Robinson, Cardinals QBs coach Israel Woolfork, Lions pass-game coordinator David Shaw, former Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka, Ravens offensive coordinator (and former Tampa OC) Todd Monken and recently-fired Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel have all been connected to the position.

Taylor has expressed an expectation the Bengals will not see much in the way of staff turnover this offseason. Losing Pitcher would obviously be notable, however, and with play-calling opportunities available elsewhere he could soon be on the move.

Ravens Interview Anthony Campanile For HC, Set 2nd Meeting With Anthony Weaver

The Ravens’ hiring process to replace head coach John Harbaugh continued apace on Monday.

The team is conducting a first-round interview with Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile on Monday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. They also scheduled a second, in-person meeting with Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver for Tuesday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Campanile is the 16th candidate for the Ravens’ head coaching job. The team’s interest in the 43-year-old was not previously reported. He only has one year of coordinator experience at the NFL level and one year as co-DC at Boston College, so he is a relatively inexperienced candidate compared to the rest of Baltimore’s list.

The Jaguars did just post their best defensive season since 2018, significantly boosting Campanile’s resume. The unit was good all year, but they turned it on in the second half of the season. During Jacksonville’s eight-game win streak that vaulted them into the AFC South lead, their defense allowed just 18.5 points per game and forced 14 turnovers. The unit could not do enough to slow Josh Allen during the wild card round, but Campanile’s regular-season success has earned him consideration for the Ravens’ head coaching gig, as well as the Dolphins’.

Weaver, who was part of Harbaugh’s staff for three years, was one of the team’s first candidates for their head coaching vacancy. He interviewed with them a week ago and is now set to return to Baltimore to be interviewed by his former colleagues. He is viewed as a strong leader and put up some impressive results during his two years in Miami, especially considering the lack of defensive talent on the Dolphins’ roster. Weaver will fulfill one of the Ravens’ two in-person minority interviews as required by the Rooney Rule as Baltimore moves closer to hiring their next head coach.

Eagles To Interview Josh Grizzard For OC Job

Recently-fired Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard may not be on the market for long.

The Eagles are set to interview the 35-year-old for the same position in Philadelphia. He would replace Kevin Patullo, who was removed after the team’s wild card loss to the 49ers.

Grizzard came up in Miami under three different head coaches. He was first hired by Adam Gase as an offensive quality control coach in 2017. He was moved to a non-specific quality control role by Brian Flores in 2019 before a two-year stint leading the wide receiver room. Jaylen Waddle put up a then-record-setting rookie season under Grizzard in 2021, but he moved back to quality control in 2022 when Mike McDaniel brought in Wes Welker to coach the Dolphins’ WRs.

With little room to grow in Miami, Grizzard took the Buccaneers’ passing game coordinator job in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The two quickly put together one of the best passing offenses in the NFL, earning them both promotions – Coen as the Jaguars’ head coach, and Grizzard as his replacement in Tampa Bay.

Coens’ 2025 season went as planned in Jacksonville, but Grizzard’s did not. His offense dealt with injuries to several key players, including but not limited to offensive linemen Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, and Cody Mauch; wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans; and running back Bucky Irving. Quarterback Baker Mayfield also played through multiple injuries.

But even when the unit was healthier, they were not playing up to their potential. The offense’s late-season struggles were a major reason they missed the playoffs, too. In their last six games, all facing defenses who were average at best, the Buccaneers only cleared 20 points once. They lost four of their six matchup and failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in six years.

The Eagles may have reason to believe that Grizzard could succeed with a healthier roster in Philadelphia. The team arguably needs an infusion of offensive coaching from a coach that is not connected to the Eagles’ current tree. But he is still relatively inexperienced, which may not be the best fit for a team looking to quickly get back to Super Bowl contention.

Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet Suffers ACL Tear

The Seahawks will be shorthanded in the backfield when they host the NFC title game this week. Zach Charbonnet suffered a knee injury in the divisional round which will sideline him the rest of the way.

During an appearance on Seattle Sports radio Monday, head coach Mike Macdonald revealed the unwanted news concerning Charbonnet (h/t ESPN’s Brady Henderson). This is a “significant” injury, per Macdonald. Charbonnet is now set to undergo surgery and begin a lengthy rehab process. An ACL tear occurred in this case, as first reported by Henderson’s colleague Adam Schefter.

The injury limited Charbonnet to just five carries on Saturday night. After his final action of the game, the 25-year-old was evaluated in the medical tent before ultimately heading to the locker room. Kenneth Walker III saw a heavy workload once again afterwards. He will no doubt be counted on early and often in the conference title game and (if applicable) the Super Bowl.

Charbonnet was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft. His arrival came just one year after Walker was drafted in the same round. The two have been key figures on offense during their time together, although struggles in the run game were an issue in 2024. Improvements late in this year’s campaign have helped lead Seattle to its current position, however. As such, losing Charbonnet represents a notable blow for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

From a financial standpoint, this news could prove to be impactful as well. Walker is set to see his rookie contract expire in March unless a deal allowing to remain in the Emerald City is worked out. Charbonnet, meanwhile, is eligible to sign an extension this offseason. Given the nature of his injury, though, it would come as little surprise if team and player paused any potential contract talks which otherwise would have taken place. As things stand, Charbonnet will enter the 2026 season as a pending free agent.

The UCLA product easily set a new career high this year in carries (184), rushing yards (730) and touchdowns (12). Charbonnet did not make a consistent impact in the passing game with only 20 receptions in 16 games, but he has shown an ability to do so previously. Walker has remained the starting back this season, but Seattle’s rushing attack included Charbonnet to a large extent just as it had in 2023 and ’24. How the team adjusts on Sunday could prove to be a key factor in determining the Rams-Seahawks matchup.