Jason Tarver, Joe Woods Among Names To Watch For Raiders DC Job
It sounds like Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak could be zeroing in on an offensive coordinator, but the status on the defensive side of the ball isn’t as clear. While Jim Schwartz was initially mentioned as a preferred option for the DC job, it’s seeming increasingly likely that the veteran coach will sit out the 2026 campaign.
[RELATED: Andrew Janocko Favorite To Become Raiders’ OC?]
If the Raiders aren’t able to recruit Schwartz to Las Vegas, Kubiak will have to look elsewhere for a defensive leader. Albert Breer of SI.com provides several names that could emerge as candidates for the gig, including Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Seahawks pass-game coordinator Karl Scott, Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver, and Raiders defensive backs coach Joe Woods.
Cullen would bring plenty of experience to Las Vegas, as the 58-year-old has been coaching since the early 1990s. He got his first NFL gig with the Lions in 2006 and has spent most of his professional coaching career as a defensive line coach. Following a five-year stint in that role with the Ravens, he got a chance as a defensive coordinator with the Jaguars in 2021. However, with Urban Meyer failing to make it through one full season and the organization seeking a fresh start in 2022, Cullen wasn’t retained. He quickly caught on with the Chiefs, where he’s earned a pair of Super Bowl rings in four seasons.
While Kubiak is eyeing some offensive coaches from his old staff, Scott is the only current member of Seattle’s defensive staff that’s been connected to a Raiders gig. The 40-year-old spent years coaching defensive backs in college before getting hired by the Vikings for that same role in 2021. He was recruited to Seattle in 2022, and he stuck on the staff after the team switched from Pete Carroll to Mike Macdonald. During his time with the Seahawks, Scott has been credited with the development of Devon Witherspoon, Coby Bryant, and Riq Woolen.
A Tarver hire would represent a bit of a homecoming for the coach, as he actually served as the Raiders defensive coordinator under Dennis Allen between 2012 and 2014. He stuck through multiple head coaches in San Francisco, where he served as the 49ers linebackers coach, and he later had a two-year stint as Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator. Most recently, the 51-year-old has served as the Browns linebackers coach, a job he’s held since the 2020 season.
Woods joined the Raiders ahead of the 2025 season as their pass-game coordinator, and Breer notes that the coach is expected to stick with the organization despite the change in leadership. The veteran coach has had multiple stints as defensive coordinator in stops with the Broncos, Browns, and Saints. While Woods guided several of his units to top-10 showings, the majority of his defenses were middle-of-the-road. A new coaching staff spelled the end of his tenure in New Orleans, although he was already on thin ice following a 2024 season where the Saints ranked 30th in yards allowed.
While the Raiders showed interest in Texans secondary coach Dino Vasso, the 38-year-old won’t be heading to Las Vegas. Vasso inked a new deal to stick on Houston’s coaching staff, taking him out of contention for the promotion.
RB Kenneth Walker Expected To Stick With Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III set himself up for a lucrative payday thanks to this year’s playoff run, which culminated in him earning Super Bowl MVP following the Seahawks’ win over the Patriots. While it remains uncertain how much money the running back will earn on his next contract, there does seem to be a bit more certainty about where he’ll be playing in 2026. In his review of franchise tag candidates, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones said there is “little doubt” that Walker will stick with the Seahawks.
While there was once a belief that Walker may be trending towards a Seattle exit, things have changed dramatically over the past few weeks. First, Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL that could sideline him for much of the 2026 campaign, putting extra reliance on Walker. The fourth-year player more than stepped up as a three-down back, averaging more than 100 rushing yards in his three playoff games. Even before his MVP-winning performance in the Super Bowl, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expressed interest in re-signing the RB, and Walker himself later stated his desire to stick with the team.
While Walker faced little competition for carries as a rookie, he ceded carries to Charbonnet over the past three years. The 25-year-old has also dealt with a handful of injuries, including a 2024 campaign where he missed six games. Those factors led to him generally being ranked third in this year’s free agent class behind Breece Hall and Travis Etienne.
Of course, outside of his standout playoff performance, there were still plenty of reasons to like Walker. The running back hauled in at least 25 catches for the fourth time in four NFL seasons, and his big-play ability (he finished sixth in 2025 with 33 rushes of 10-plus yards) is appealing to any team. Add in his 417 yards from scrimmage in three postseason games, and Jones estimated that the impending free agent has “earned himself millions” on his next contract.
However, while Jones is confident that the RB will re-sign with the Seahawks, he’s also wary of prolonged negotiations. Jones says Walker could point to Josh Jacobs‘ $12MM AAV, a number that ranks just outside of the top-five at the position. Jones also opines that the Seahawks front office could opt for the franchise tag, meaning Walker would earn roughly $14MM via a one-year contract.
Regardless of the terms of his next contract, it appears that Walker’s worth has taken a significant jump following his impressive playoff run.
Dolphins Add Kevin Patullo As Pass-Game Coordinator
Kevin Patullo is heading to Miami. After losing his offensive coordinator title in Philadelphia, Patullo is joining the Dolphins as their new pass-game coordinator, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Patullo held that same title with the Eagles between 2021 and 2024, but he earned a promotion to offensive coordinator following Kellen Moore‘s departure last offseason. After grading out as a top-10 offense each season between 2022 and 2024, the Eagles offense took a major step back in 2025, finishing 19th in points and 24th in yards. While regression was expected from the likes of Saquon Barkley, the regression was especially troubling considering the Eagles returned 10 of their 11 starters from their Super Bowl-winning squad.
Following the team’s first-round loss to the 49ers, Nick Sirianni announced that the team would be demoting Patullo from his post. The Eagles ended up adding Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator, and while Patullo technically stayed on the staff over the past month, it seemed clear that his time with the organization had likely come to an end. As Garafolo notes, the coach spoke with several teams about assistant roles during the recent hiring cycle, and he ultimately found a home in Miami.
Patullo will now be joining a revamped Dolphins coaching staff that’s led by head coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. While it’s uncertain if Patullo will earn the associate head coach title he had with the Eagles in 2023 and 2024, Garafolo expects the new hire to assist Hafley with “head-coaching responsibilities during the week and on gameday.”
While the Dolphins coaching staff has basically taken shape, the offensive personnel is still a major question mark. The team seems set to move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and Tyreek Hill‘s tenure with the organization will also likely come to an end. While wideout Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane represent skilled options on offense, the unit will surely look a lot different in 2026.
Seahawks Arrange Interviews With Four Internal OC Candidates
In the aftermath of Seattle’s Super Bowl victory, Klint Kubiak‘s departure became official. The Seahawks’ 2025 offensive coordinator will take charge of the Raiders next season. 
As a result, head coach Mike Macdonald finds himself in need of a new OC for the third time in as many years. At least some external candidates will receive a look, but Kubiak’s replacement has a strong chance of coming from within the organization. The team will conduct four in-house interviews over the coming days.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Seattle will interview quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, pass-game coordinator Jake Peetz, run-game specialist Justin Outten and tight ends coach Mack Brown. Their interviews will take place tomorrow and Friday. Each of them have been floated as logical targets for the Seahawks as a Kubiak replacement. Of course, every member of that quartet is also a candidate to follow Kubiak from Seattle to Las Vegas.
Janocko in particular is a name to watch in the Raiders’ case. The outcome of his Seahawks interview will be critical as a result as Kubiak aims to build his staff deep into the 2026 hiring cycle. Janocko, 37, previously worked with Kubiak in New Orleans. Provided the two continue their working relationship in a new setting once more, Seattle’s attention will turn elsewhere.
Peetz, 40, has worked in a number of roles over the course of his coaching career. He has previously been an offensive coordinator in college (LSU, 2021) but not at the NFL level. Outten had a one-year OC stint with the Broncos in 2022. The 42-year-old has also served in several other capacities over time. Brown was hired as part of Macdonald’s initial staff following five years with the Jets. He split his time between work on offense and defense over that time.
The Rooney Rule requires teams to conduct at least one in-person interview with an external minority candidate before making a coordinator hire. The list of staffers Seattle looks into will grow as a result, but the team’s attention will be aimed largely at in-house options.
WR Miles Boykin Retires
Roughly eight years after entering the NFL, Miles Boykin will turn his attention elsewhere. The veteran wideout announced his retirement on Instagram Wednesday. 
“I’m beyond grateful for the sport of football!” Boykin wrote. “Thanks to my coaches, teammates, and fans for their support. My family and friends, I appreciate your constant encouragement. This sport has taught me so many lessons and I don’t know where I would be without it!
I’m excited for this new chapter in my life and can’t wait to see where it takes me!”
Over the course of his three-year college career, Boykin emerged as an intriguing receiver prospect based on his combination of size and speed. A strong junior campaign ultimately resulted in the Ravens trading up to select him in the third round of the 2019 draft. Boykin operated as a key figure on Baltimore’s renovated receiving corps during his first two seasons, but he not develop as hoped.
Across 40 regular-season Ravens games, Boykin managed seven touchdowns but recorded only 33 receptions. In April 2022, the Notre Dame product was waived. The Steelers put in a claim and set up a two-year Boykin run in Pittsburgh. During his time with a second AFC North franchise, Boykin played sparingly on offense but established himself as a core special teams presence. After a one-year Steelers pact expired following the 2023 campaign, he did not see any further action in the regular season.
Boykin saw time on the practice squads of the Giants, Seahawks and Bears during recent years. He could have spent this coming summer once again competing for a roster spot, but he will instead turn his attention to post-playing pursuits at the age of 29. In all, Boykin made a combined total of 77 combined regular and postseason appearances from his time in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. He amassed roughly $7MM in career earnings.
Lamar Jackson Participated In HC, OC Search Process; Ravens Extension Still Being Targeted
With much of their coaching staff now in place, attention in the Ravens’ case will increasingly turn toward free agency. Several internal decisions will need to be made, and working out a new Lamar Jackson extension remains a priority. 
Since Jackson’s 2023 extension was signed, this offseason has loomed as the logical point for a new pact to be worked out. 2026 is scheduled to include a $74.5MM cap charge in his case without an adjustment of some kind. A restructure could be an option, but flattening that cap figure by means of an extension prior to the start of free agency is still seen as Baltimore’s goal.
Any thoughts about a potential Jackson trade can be put to rest, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link). A swap would of course come as a major surprise with Jackson being on the books for another two years. The franchise once again illustrated how central the two-time MVP is in a number of areas of its operation during recent weeks. Jackson took part during the first (virtual) round of head coaching interviews, per Garafolo. He also confirms the Ravens’ offensive coordinator search included input from Jackson.
Baltimore took the route many expected by hiring Jesse Minter as head coach. The highly-acclaimed defensive mind will calls plays on that side of the ball, leaving much on the shoulders of his first OC. Declan Doyle departed Chicago after a one-year Bears stint. The 29-year-old did not call plays while working under Ben Johnson, and the ability to do so with the Ravens drove his decision to head to Baltimore. Needless to say, the connection between Doyle and Jackson will be something to watch closely as the 2026 season plays out.
Immediate success will be the expectation for Minter and the rest of his staff as Baltimore looks to return to the postseason next year. A clean slate on the health front will be a major goal for Jackson, who missed four games in 2025 and was limited in others while dealing with various injuries. By the time his age-29 campaign begins, another new contract at or near the top of the quarterback market could very well be in hand.
Packers Open To Re-Signing Romeo Doubs
Multiple mid-December reports suggested the Packers were unlikely to keep pending free agent wide receiver Romeo Doubs. That may end up being the case, but a breakup isn’t a given, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The two sides are at least expected to engage in dialogue before free agency starts on March 11, Fowler adds.
For his part, Doubs appears willing to continue his career in Green Bay, which chose him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The 25-year-old told Kay Adams in late January he “would love to be a Green Bay Packer,” but he also acknowledged it’s a business.
If they’re unable to retain Doubs, the Packers would still have Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden and Savion Williams leading their receiver depth chart. Golden and Williams didn’t do much as rookies, but in selecting the former in the first round and the latter in the third, the Packers invested heavily in the pair at last year’s draft.
While Golden and Williams are under control for a few years, Watson, Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft are all slated to reach free agency after next season. An extension for Kraft is already on general manager Brian Gutekunst‘s radar, and there could be added motivation to lock up Watson and/or Reed if Doubs exits Wisconsin in March.
This year’s free agent crop will be light on high-end receivers, especially with the Cowboys all but guaranteed to place the franchise tag on George Pickens. The Colts could also tag deep threat Alec Pierce. If those two don’t get to the market, it would be a positive development for Doubs and the rest of an unsigned class that could also include Jauan Jennings, Rashid Shaheed and Wan’Dale Robinson, among others.
Nobody would confuse Doubs with a star wideout, but after a solid showing on his rookie contract, he should secure a nice raise on a multiyear deal. A starter in 50 of 59 career appearances, the 6-foot-2, 204-pounder has averaged approximately 15 games, 51 catches, 80 targets, 606 yards and five touchdowns per season. Doubs started in 15 of 16 games in 2025 and caught 55 of 85 targets for a career-high 724 yards and six scores.
Packers Promote Luke Getsy To Quarterbacks Coach
After a year as the Packers’ quarterbacks coach, Sean Mannion left to become the Eagles’ offensive coordinator on Jan. 29. Almost two weeks later, the Packers will promote senior offensive assistant Luke Getsy to replace Mannion, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Briefly an NFL quarterback, Getsy spent 2007-13 coaching in college before joining Green Bay in a quality control role. The 41-year-old is now in his third stint with the Packers, with whom he has worked under head coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur.
The Packers previously employed Getsy from 2014-17, including two seasons as a wide receivers coach, and 2019-21 (QBs coach/passing-game coordinator). LaFleur rehired Getsy as a defensive consultant in 2024, which came after an in-season firing as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator.
Getsy, a two-time OC in the NFL, held the job with the Bears from 2022-23. His time in Las Vegas lasted just nine games.
Aaron Rodgers was the starter in Getsy’s first stint as the Packers’ QBs coach, but he also spent two years molding 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love. Since Love took over for a traded Rodgers in 2023, he has established himself as the Packers’ answer under center.
Last season was the third straight successful campaign for the 27-year-old Love, who completed 66.3% of passes with 3,381 yards (7.7 YPA), 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games. Love also finished third in QBR (72.7) and sixth in traditional passer rating (101.2).
Getsy will coach Love again in 2026, but the Packers will make other moves at the position this offseason. Backup Malik Willis is heading to free agency with plenty of momentum after a successful two-year run behind Love. Willis is a lock to sign elsewhere for a much richer deal and a chance to start, which will force the Packers to find a new No. 2 QB.
Panthers Add Darrell Bevell To Staff
After serving as the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach/passing-game coordinator over the past four years, Darrell Bevell emerged as a finalist to take over as the Jets’ offensive coordinator. The Jets ended up hiring Frank Reich for the position on Feb. 4, but Bevell has landed a different job a week later. He’s leaving Miami to join the Panthers’ staff as associate head coach/offensive specialist, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Carolina will be the seventh NFL team for the 56-year-old Bevell, whose pro career began in 2000 as an assistant quarterbacks coach in Green Bay. Between his six-year run with the Packers and his four seasons with the Dolphins, Bevell coached in Minnesota, Seattle, Detroit and Jacksonville. He was the O-coordinator with the Vikings (2006-10), Seahawks (2011-17), Lions (2019-20) and Jaguars (2021).
Bevell is best known for a successful tenure in Seattle, which won the Super Bowl in 2013 and then came within a yard of repeating the next year. Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler had other ideas, though, as he intercepted a Russell Wilson pass at the goal line to seal a 28-24 Pats victory in Super Bowl XLIX.
Bevell and former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll have since drawn no shortage of criticism for passing instead of handing off to Marshawn Lynch in the game’s waning moments. Bevell nonetheless remained in charge of their offense for three more seasons.
Dave Canales, now the Panthers’ head coach, was the Seahawks’ wide receivers coach during Bevell’s entire seven-year stay as their O-coordinator. Panthers general manager Dan Morgan was in the Seahawks’ front office for that stretch.
The three are now reuniting in Carolina, which won the NFC South in 2025 despite an 8-9 record. Quarterback Bryce Young, the former first overall pick, made enough progress in his third season for the team to pick up his fifth-year option. The jury is still out on whether Young will turn into a franchise signal-caller, but Bevell will now have a hand in his development after drawing mixed results from Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
With assistance from Bevell, Tagovailoa led the league in passer rating (2022), yards (2023) and completion percentage (2024) in separate seasons. Tagovailoa also received a Pro Bowl invitation in 2023, but he bottomed out in 2025 – Bevell’s last year in South Florida – and the Dolphins now hope to trade him.
NFL To Review Falcons OLB James Pearce Jr. Incident
FEBRUARY 11: Jackson “remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary,” her attorneys wrote in a court notice Tuesday in Miami-Dade County (via Raimondi).
FEBRUARY 10: On Saturday, Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested. He now faces five felony charges, and NFL discipline could be coming. 
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy has confirmed (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi) the league will review Pearce’s situation. A fine and/or suspension under the personal conduct policy will be possible as a result. The NFL has long adopted a stance of waiting for all legal matters to play out before arriving at a decision on supplemental discipline, however.
The criminal complaint from the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office details the alleged incident which resulted in Pearce’s arrest. The 22-year-old followed Rickea Jackson in a white Lamborghini SUV after a falling out between the two, per the complaint. Pearce and Jackson (who plays for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks) dated for roughly three years until recently, Jackson later told police.
Upon seeing Jackson’s vehicle stopped at a red light, Pearce is alleged to have exited his Lamborghini and attempted to enter Jackson’s vehicle by opening the driver’s door. It was at that point that Jackson drove away and attempted to reach the Doral Police Department. Per the complaint, Pearce then entered his vehicle and used it to strike Jackson’s multiple times to prevent her from reaching the police station. Officers attempted to intervene, and an affidavit states Pearce fled the scene by driving away.
Once Pearce crashed at an intersection while being chased, he fled on foot. Police eventually caught up to and arrested him, and Pearce was “triaged on scene” for injuries sustained during the incident. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center later that day. On Sunday, a $20,500 bond was posted allowing Pearce to be released from custody. Charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon along with aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren are now pending.
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” a statement from Pearce’s attorneys reads. “Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story. We look forward to vigorously defending our client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”
Selected 26th overall during last year’s draft, Pearce enjoyed a standout rookie campaign with 10.5 sacks and played a central role in the Falcons’ improvement in the pass rush department. His contract runs through 2028.