Jets To Retain HC Aaron Glenn
Aaron Glenn‘s first year as an NFL head coach has certainly not gone according to plan. He is set to remain in place for 2026, however. 
The Jets will retain Glenn for next season, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network write. His job security has been a talking point for several weeks, but the most recent indications have been that Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will be safe. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds owner Woody Johnson wants to evaluate the current HC-GM tandem with a better quarterback situation in place.
The Justin Fields signing proved to be a misstep leading up to the decision to bench him. Fields’ time in New York is likely nearing an end, and the Jets have already done homework on some of the top quarterback prospects for 2026. With five first-round picks across the next two years, acquiring a new passer will certainly be feasible.
The Jets have undergone plenty of changes in recent years, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes (subscription required) Johnson is still “committed” to Glenn’s organizational plan at this point. Improvements in 2026 will be sought out, though the current decision-making group will remain intact. Certain changes – including a full-time replacement for Steve Wilks at the defensive coordinator spot – will become the focus of the hiring cycle as it plays out.
After a four-year run guiding the Lions’ defense, Glenn took his first head coaching gig by joining the Jets. Entering Sunday’s action, the team sits at 3-13 amidst struggles on multiple fronts. Drafting a passer along with making moves to replace Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner – who were both traded away at the deadline – will be key priorities over the course of the spring. As Gary Myers of 880 ESPN New York notes, Glenn has another four years remaining on his contract at a rate of $10MM per year. Nonetheless, a notable step forward will no doubt be expected during his second season at the helm to avoid further talks of a dismissal.
Johnson has drawn criticism on a number of fronts during his tenure. That includes the selection process for many of his coaching and GM hires, although he has consulted outside voices on many occasions. An interview with two NFL executives and one local insider from Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reveals that Johnson received a recommendation from Peyton Manning to hire Adam Gase in 2019. During last year’s interview process, ex-Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum was among those sought out as contributors. Johnson is positioned to rely on the status quo in that capacity for 2026, however.
Coaching Notes: Chiefs, Lions, Udinski, Leonhard, Idzik, Brown, Bears, Pitcher, Scheelhaase, Godsey
Matt Nagy looms as one of the top head coaching candidates with an offensive background in this year’s hiring cycle. A departure for a second HC opportunity (or at least a play-calling offensive coordinator role) is something to watch for over the coming days.
In the event Nagy were to head elsewhere, the Chiefs would find themselves in need of an OC replacement. The team could look to familiar options in such a scenario. Kansas City would “welcome back” Mike Kafka or Eric Bieniemy, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report.
Bieniemy, 56, worked under Andy Reid from 2013-22. That span included five years in the offensive coordinator role. Bieniemy led Washington’s offense for one season before doing the same at UCLA. He is currently serving as the Bears‘ running backs coach. Kafka, meanwhile, was with the Chiefs for five years, operating as quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator along the way. As the interim head coach of the Giants, the 38-year-old’s future is currently unclear.
With Black Monday approaching, here are some other coaching notes from around the NFL:
- Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently hinted at staffing changes. It would comes as little surprise if OC John Morton were to be among those let go, seeing as he was stripped of play-calling duties midway through the campaign. Morton said (via Rapoport and Pelissero) “I’d like to be here” when asked about the possibility of remaining in Detroit. Taking on a lesser role for next season could thus be something to watch for as Campbell looks into his coordinator options.
- Overall, the pool of head coaching candidates for 2026 is not seen as being as strong as last year. A large number of firings over the next few days may not be forthcoming as a result. On the other hand, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes (subscription required) this winter could be busier than usual in terms of coordinator changes. Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, Broncos secondary coach Jim Leonhard, Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and Patriots pass-game coordinator Thomas Brown are among the staffers she identifies among those who have drawn strong reviews for their work this season.
- Ben Johnson has impressed during his debut season in Chicago. He could be in line to lose a number of key assistants soon, however. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports names Bieniemy as a candidate to depart this winter with his stock having received a boost. In addition, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, pass-game coordinator Press Taylor and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett have each generated buzz regarding interest around the league. Johnson may have multiple vacancies to fill in the near future in the wake of Chicago’s successful campaign.
- Dan Pitcher has been with the Bengals since 2016. Over that time, he has worked his way up to quarterbacks coach, a role he has had for six seasons and counting. The 38-year-old finds himself as an interview candidate for OC positions, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Losing Pitcher would deal another blow to the stability Zac Taylor enjoyed on his offensive staff until Brian Callahan‘s departure in 2025.
- Fowler also points to Nate Scheelhaase as a “sleeper” with respect to offensive coordinator interviews. Scheelhaase, 35, served in many positions at the college level before joining the Rams in 2024; he currently serves as the team’s pass-game coordinator. Many Sean McVay assistants have gone on to land notable gigs elsewhere in the NFL, and along with D-coordinator Chris Shula Scheelhaase could soon become the latest to do so.
- Since 2022, George Godsey has served as the Ravens’ tight ends coach. That tenure is nearing an end, however, Godsey is finalizing a deal to become the next offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports. By returning to his alma mater, Godsey will end a run of NFL coaching positions which dates back to 2011.
Falcons Owner Arthur Blank To Evaluate Atlanta’s Football Ops For Rest Of Season
JANUARY 3: As part of his evaluation process, Blank has brought in the consulting firm Sportsology (which has worked with NFL teams in the past). Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes (subscription required) Rick Smith has played a role in Sportsology’s ongoing Falcons audit. The former Texans GM was among those who interviewed for Atlanta’s most recent vacancy before Fontenot was ultimately hired.
DECEMBER 13: After another disappointing year from the Falcons, major changes could be coming in Atlanta this offseason.
Owner and chairman Arthur Blank will spend the rest of the season evaluating the team’s football operations, including head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Falcons were already eliminated from the playoffs before their Kyle Pitts-driven win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. However, their Week 14 loss to the Seahawks locked in their eighth losing season in a row. Atlanta finished with an 8-9 record in 2024, their first year under Morris, but the team’s lack of improvements this year have raised doubt about his future. The same is true of Fontenot, who is in his fifth year as GM without much year-to-year progress.
Of the two, Fontenot feels more likely to leave Atlanta this offseason. He has struggled to find starters in the draft and does not have a strong record outside of the first round, though he has built a strong offensive line over the years. Fontenot also drove the Falcons’ controversial quarterback moves in the 2024 offseason. He signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $160MM deal with $90MM fully guaranteed and drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick less than two months later.
Individually, both decisions were questionable, but together, they set up a difficult dynamic in Atlanta. Cousins was surprised by the Penix pick, which immediately put a clock on his time with the Falcons. The veteran quarterback played well to start the 2024 season, but a rough stretch of five games in the second half inspired an earlier-than-expected transition to the rookie. Penix showed some flashes in his three starts and entered 2025 as the clear starter while Cousins attempted to force an offseason move out of Atlanta.
Fontenot then made another controversial decision in the 2025 draft by trading up from the second round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick despite already adding Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall. He gave up a bevy of picks in the deal, including second- and third-rounders in 2025 and a first in 2026, which could be a top-10 pick.
Morris has not led the Falcons to the immediate success for which Blank was likely hoping, but his team has been decimated by injuries this season, especially on offense. Right tackle Kaleb McGary suffered a leg injury in training camp that knocked out the left-handed Penix’s blind side blocker for the entire season. Penix then went down with a season-ending injury after nine starts, and Drake London has missed multiple games, too.
The Falcons had a decent start to the year with a 3-2 record on the back of a defense that didn’t allow more than 300 yards of total offense in that five-game span. Atlanta then lost five straight, a stretch that included some rough defensive showings and ended with Penix’s injury. The result was a season that fell well short of Blank’s expectations and will spur plenty of conversations in Atlanta about the futures of Morris and Fontenot. Giving Morris another year to see what he can do with a healthier roster makes sense, but Blank may be running out of patience with Fontenot’s inability to build a competitive roster.
No Indication Ravens HC John Harbaugh Is On Hot Seat
JANUARY 3: CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms Harbaugh is believed to be safe even in the event of a Ravens loss tomorrow. While other staff changes could be coming, a move at the head coach spot would be seen as a surprise.
JANUARY 2: Though the Ravens still can make the playoffs with a win over the Steelers on Sunday night, their 2025 season has been undeniably disappointing.
Removing head coach John Harbaugh, however, is not an expected outcome of the season, even if his team loses in Pittsburgh this weekend.
“I do not have any indication right now that John Harbaugh is in danger of being fired,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said on the Rich Eisen Show. “That would really surprise me. There is a reason that Steve Bisciotti has stuck with him for 18 seasons and running now.”
Baltimore is currently 8-8 after a rollercoaster of a year. Injuries to Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, and several other key players resulted in a 1-5 start. The team’s fortunes turned around after their Week 7 bye with a Tyler Huntley-led win over the Bears in Week 8 preceding Jackson’s return to the field for a spectacular win in Miami in their next game. The Ravens’ win streak extended to five games to get to 6-5 before three losses in four weeks dropped them back below .500.
A dominant Week 16 win in Green Bay – plus the Browns’ upset of the Steelers – has renewed hope around the team’s fortunes in the playoffs, should they qualify. Jackson just completed his first full week of practice since Week 10 and is liable to take over a game at any moment. Derrick Henry, as he demonstrated last week, his capable of doing the same.
But the Ravens’ defense, which has been a hallmark of Harbaugh’s tenure in Baltimore, has been unusually porous this season. Last year, defensive coordinator Zach Orr turned his unit around after a slow start. He was not able to do so this year. And despite the talent on the roster, the offense under Todd Monken has disappointed as well. While one could argue the buck stops with the head coach – especially with issues on both sides of the ball – recent reporting indicate that Baltimore’s coordinators are in danger of being removed.
49ers’ Trent Williams Out For Week 18; George Kittle Plans To Play
5:40PM: As the 49ers prepare to take on the Seahawks for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, they will officially be doing so without Williams. San Francisco listed him as one of their inactive players for tonight’s game.
10:59AM: It appears the 49ers will go without future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams in their pivotal regular-season finale against the Seahawks on Saturday. Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury in a win over the Bears last Sunday, did not practice this week. That suggests he won’t take the field with the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the conference on the line, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network says.
If Williams sits Saturday, it’ll prevent the 37-year-old from logging his first 17-game campaign. A career-long starter since entering the NFL as a first-round pick (No. 4) with Washington in 2010, Williams has earned his 12th Pro Bowl nod this season. He’s Pro Football Focus’ third-ranked tackle out of 86 qualifiers.
It’s obviously less than ideal for the 49ers to go without Williams, but they pulled off a thrilling 42-38 win in Week 17 despite his absence. Williams played one snap before exiting, leaving Austen Pleasants to take over for the rest of the game. The fourth-year man will make the first start of his career Saturday if Williams is unavailable. It’ll be a tall order against a Seattle defense that ranks second in scoring, fifth in yards and eighth in sacks.
In better news for the 49ers, seven-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle said he “absolutely” plans to play in Week 18 (via Nick Wagoner of ESPN). Kittle, a limited participant in practice this week, missed the Chicago game with an ankle issue, continuing an injury-riddled year for him.
After suffering a right hamstring tear in a Week 1 victory in Seattle, Kittle spent over a month on IR. The 32-year-old has appeared in just 10 of 16 games this season, but when healthy enough to play, he has continued to post superb production. Kittle has hauled in 52 of 62 targets for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. Adding in Kittle’s blocking prowess, he’s PFF’s No. 1-ranked tight end among 75 qualifiers.
The 49ers have overcome a slew of notable injuries this year en route to a 12-4 record. While the team remains banged up, there’s only one more hurdle to clear to ensure homefield advantage through the playoffs. If the 49ers complete the season sweep of the Seahawks at home, they won’t go on the road again. That includes the Super Bowl, where the 49ers will host the AFC champion at Levi’s Stadium if they survive the NFC onslaught in January.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/3/26
After the final standard gameday practice squad elevations of the 2025 regular season, the three-game elevation limit resets for the postseason, so only players getting signed to the 53-man roster because of the limit will be noted today. Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tejhaun Palmer
- Elevated: CB Jaden Davis, WR Steven Sims
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Amani Oruwariye
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DE Matt Judon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Nikola Kalinic, LB Ty Summers
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Howard Cross III, CB Bralyn Lux
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Elevated: TE Sal Cannella
- Placed on IR: LB Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: RB Phil Mafah
- Activated from reserve/PUP: CB Josh Butler
- Signed from practice squad: LB Justin Barron
- Elevated: G Nick Leverett
- Placed on IR: G T.J. Bass, RB Malik Davis, RB Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Zach Horton, OL Chris Hubbard
- Placed on IR: OL Trystan Colon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jakobie Keeney-James, G Lecitus Smith
- Elevated: TE Drake Dabney, LB Jamon Johnson
- Placed on IR: OL Donovan Jennings, WR Savion Williams
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Leki Fotu, S Kaevon Merriweather
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: QB Seth Henigan, TE Sean McKeon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Patrick Herbert
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jimmy Holiday
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: LB Jamin Davis, T Dalton Wagner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: S Marcus Maye
- Elevated: G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei
- Placed on IR: CB Nikko Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Derrick McLendon, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR Jeshaun Jones, LB Sione Takitaki
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: TE Treyton Welch
- Elevated: QB Jake Haener, RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Dante Miller
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner, DT Casey Rogers
- Placed on IR: CB Cor’Dale Flott, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr., WR Wan’Dale Robinson
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: QB Hendon Hooker, DE Kingsley Jonathan, G Kohl Levao
- Elevated: RB Raheem Blackshear, CB Samuel Womack III
- Placed on IR: RB Isaiah Davis, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, TE Mason Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LS Charley Hughlett, S Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB D’Shawn Jamison
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: LB Eric Kendricks, T Brandon Parker
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers, CB Tyler Hall
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: OLB Ali Gaye, WR Bryce Oliver
- Signed from practice squad: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: TE Cole Turner
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (story), WR Van Jefferson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
The Browns made it known yesterday that they were shutting down Schwesinger and tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. for the final week of the season, but the Defensive Rookie of the Year-favorite is the only one to land on IR.
In Dallas, Williams failed to practice this week as he dealt with shoulder and neck issues. With Davis also being placed on IR, the Cowboys will rely on rookie fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue and the recently activated Mafah, a seventh-round rookie, in Week 18. The team used their eighth and final IR activation to bring Mafah back for a potential NFL debut.
Because Green Bay didn’t elevate recently signed practice squad quarterback Desmond Ridder, it appears either Malik Willis will be healthy enough to back up Clayton Tune or Jordan Love will serve as the potential QB2 for the Packers in Week 18.
Judon is set to make his Bills debut in the team’s regular season finale after signing to their practice squad two weeks ago.
With Saints backup quarterback Spencer Rattler not practicing this week with a finger injury, Haener gets the call to back up rookie Tyler Shough.
Hall in Tennessee had already been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation three times this season. In order for him to appear in the Titans’ regular season finale, the move to the 53-man roster was necessary.
NFL Injury Updates: Seahawks, Packers, Olave, Hall
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold heads into Week 18 with a game that could cement his team as the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the second season in a row. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he’s also looking to earn up to $1.5MM in incentives by throwing for at least 150 yards and three touchdowns and raising his passer rating (99.2) to 100. Unfortunately, he’ll be doing so without a few key pieces.
Starting left tackle Charles Cross has missed each of the team’s last two games, and according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times, he’ll be out for Week 18, as well. Backup swing tackle Josh Jones has played well in Cross’ absence these past two weeks and will be relied upon again in a winner-take-all matchup with the 49ers.
Curtis Crabtree of FOX Sports adds on that, although rookie fifth-round receiver Tory Horton is eligible to be activated off injured reserve, he is not expected to play again this season. The shin injury that’s kept him out since early November has likely ended his rookie campaign. Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters, “The best way I can describe it is just, what he has, it just takes a long time to heal…we’re not planning on having him.”
Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:
- Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gave updates on the two defensive backs recently placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Both safety Zayne Anderson and cornerback Nate Hobbs suffered injuries in the team’s home loss to Baltimore. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, LaFleur told the media that he didn’t anticipate either player being able to return in time for the playoffs, so both players were put on IR to make room on the 53-man roster for players who can contribute in the postseason.
- Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was a surprise scratch for the team’s regular season finale. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, a blood clot was detected in Olave’s lung, though it was caught early, “before anything bad could happen,” and the 25-year-old will be fine. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added that Olave has no prior history with blood clots and that the injury should sideline him for about four weeks before he’ll be ready for any offseason activities.
- The Bills are locked into a wild card slot in the playoffs, though their exact seeding is still up in the air. They should have a fairly easy Week 18 matchup against a tanking Jets team, but they’ll be going into it without rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker, per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. A fourth-round pick out of Kentucky, Walker has stepped up as a starter for nearly all of his rookie year as Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, Jordan Phillips, Larry Ogunjobi, and DaQuan Jones have all missed time at different points of the year.
- Speaking of the tanking Jets, already without quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, New York has also now ruled out running back Breece Hall, according to Schefter. This means Hall may have already played his final game in a Jets uniform, as the 24-year-old is set to hit free agency at the end of the season. According to Rich Cimini, also of ESPN, the Jets are expected to at least attempt to retain him, but Hall may be tempted to test the market. Cimini doesn’t rule out that franchise/transition tags may enter the picture. With all the absences on offense, the Jets starting group will be led by Brady Cook at quarterback, Khalil Herbert and Kene Nwangwu at running back, and John Metchie III, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaiah Williams at receiver. Per Cimini, starting cornerback Brandon Stephens will miss the Jets’ final game of the season, as well.
- The Ravens have a win-or-go-home game tomorrow night against the division-rival Steelers, but they will be heading into the matchup without wide receiver Rashod Bateman after ruling him out for the weekend. Bateman missed practice all week with illness and will not travel to Pittsburgh.
Patriots Activate DT Milton Williams, T Will Campbell From IR
The playoffs are locked up, and the Patriots’ final game of the season is at home against a depleted Dolphins team. As they attempt to secure their highest win total since 2016 and a chance at the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC side of the playoff bracket, they will bring in some reinforcements. New England announced today that it has activated defensive tackle Milton Williams and left tackle Will Campbell from injured reserve. 
Williams suffered the high ankle sprain that landed him on IR back in Week 11 but only had his 21-day practice window opened last week. The former Eagle’s debut season in New England was off to a hot start as he was tracking for potential career-highs in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits.
When he was lost to injury, Williams wasn’t the only defender to suffer from the loss; fellow interior defender Christian Barmore saw far more double teams with Williams not there to worry about. Williams’ return to the lineup should make big differences to the effectiveness of the Pats’ defensive line just in time for the playoffs.
Campbell, the team’s rookie No. 4 overall pick this year, had arguably been living up to his draft stock as the 2025 draft class’s best offensive tackle this year. Manning the starting job on the blindside in New England, Campbell’s tape from his 12 starts this year grade him out as the league’s 33rd-best tackle, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He was placed on IR after suffering a knee injury in Week 12, but after returning to practice this week and fully participating in three sessions, he’s proven he’s ready to return to the starting lineup.
The Patriots already had one open roster spot, so they just needed to waive defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. in order to make room for the two returning starters. The team also announced that center Brenden Jaimes and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III will serve as standard gameday practice squad elevations for the team’s regular season finale.
Rams Activate TE Tyler Higbee Off IR
JANUARY 3: The Rams opened Higbee’s practice window three days ago for a reason. After missing the past six weeks, the 33-year-old veteran has been activated from injured reserve in time for a crucial Week 18 game. With a win and a 49ers loss, the Rams will head to the NFC South winner for the Wild Card round of the playoffs; a loss or Niners win sends them the Philadelphia.
In order to make room for Higbee on the 53-man roster, Los Angeles waived defensive end Larrell Murchison. The Rams also announced that defensive end Jack Heflin and safety Tanner Ingle will serve as their standard gameday practice squad elevations for the final week of the 2025 regular season.
DECEMBER 31: Over a month after placing Tyler Higbee on injured reserve, the Rams have opened the tight end’s practice window, Sarah Barshop of ESPN reports. They’ll have 21 days to activate Higbee.
Higbee suffered an ankle injury in a Week 11 win over the Seahawks, forcing the Rams to shelve him on Nov. 19. Safety Quentin Lake (elbow) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) joined Higbee in going on IR that day. Nobody from that trio has returned to game action since then, and the Rams have fallen from 8-2 to 11-5 without them.
Once the favorites to land the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Rams will enter a Week 18 meeting with Arizona sixth in the conference. The Rams will secure the fifth seed if they beat the Cardinals and the 49ers lose to the Seahawks.
Now in his 10th season since the Rams took him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, Higbee played a role in their hot start this year. Higbee led Rams tight ends with 318 offensive snaps at the time of his injury, hauled in 20 passes for 190 yards, and scored two touchdowns.
Despite Higbee’s absence, LA’s top-ranked scoring offense has continued to rely heavily on its tight ends. With head coach Sean McVay frequently deploying three-TE sets, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen have each played upward of 50% of offensive snaps. Second-round rookie Terrance Ferguson has logged a 33.6% snap share in his own right. Higbee at least has a change to rejoin that group in the next three weeks.
Brian Daboll Expected To Land OC Gig
The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll in November, but he is not expected to remain unemployed for long.
Daboll, 50, will likely be hired as an offensive coordinator this offseason, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. He has previously held that position for four NFL teams – the Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, and Bills – as well as the University of Alabama.
He was most successful in Buffalo, building an offense that went from the league’s third-worst in his debut year to a top-5 unit in his third and fourth. He is also credited with molding Josh Allen into one of the league’s best quarterbacks. The foundation established by Daboll has helped the Bills remain one of the top offenses in the league since his departure, though it is worth noting that they have not reached the same peaks as they did during his tenure.
The Giants hoped that Daboll could develop Daniel Jones and inspire a similar offensive turnaround in New York. That has not come to fruition. The team ranked 31st in their final year under Joe Judge and immediately jumped to 15th under Daboll, but regressed to the bottom of the league in the next two years.
Still, Daboll is respected as a top offensive mind in the NFL who could receive interest from teams looking to add and/or develop a potential young franchise quarterback. He also has connections to a variety of other coaches across the league. If one is hired as a head coach by the Titans – or another vacancy, when they come available – Daboll would be a logical choice to come along as the offensive coordinator.