Dan Skipper To Join Lions Staff; Team Blocked Bruce Gradkowski-Dolphins Interview
Former Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper is expected to stay in Detroit and take a position on Dan Campbell‘s coaching staff, according to CBS Detroit’s Rachel Hopmayer.
Skipper, 31, retired after the regular season after spending most of his NFL career with the Lions. He stepped into a bigger role as the team’s swing tackle in recent years and also became a fan-favorite for his role as the sixth offensive lineman in the offense’s ‘jumbo’ packages.
Skipper’s official title is unknown, but he unsurprisingly is expected to work with the offensive line, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Perhaps the team will ask him to develop their next jumbo-set O-lineman.
The Lions are also keeping another key contributor in Detroit: offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski. The team blocked an interview request from the Dolphins, who were interested in Gradkowski as a potential quarterbacks coach, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The former NFL quarterback and XFL offensive coordinator only arrived in Detroit last offseason, but he quickly became invaluable to the team’s operation after Ben Johnson‘s departure.
Had the Dolphins hired Gradkowski, he would have been tasked with identifying and working with Miami’s next starting quarterback, as the team is expected to part ways with Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Instead, he will continued to work with Jared Goff in Detroit. Gradkowski will likely play a key role in the Lions’ transition to new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
The Lions will not be able to block Gradkowski from future coordinator interview requests, and the club’s desire to keep him suggests that they believe he is heading in that direction. He has not been a coach for very long, but he led the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks to strong finishes as their offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024. That play-calling success could be an attractive asset to other teams in future hiring cycles.
Seahawks Sign 15 To Futures Deals
With their championship parade in the rearview, the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks handled their reserve/futures contracts Thursday. Here are the 15 players joining Seattle’s offseason roster:
- RB Cam Akers
- WR Tyrone Broden
- T Logan Brown
- WR Montorie Foster
- CB Tyler Hall
- S Maxen Hook
- RB Velus Jones
- C Federico Maranges
- LB Chris Paul Jr.
- LB Jamie Sheriff
- NT J.R. Singleton
- NT Bubba Thomas
- LB Ja’Markis Weston
- WR Ricky White
- RB Jacardia Wright
Akers saw action in three Seahawks regular-season games and was part of the No. 1-seeded team’s NFC championship game win over the Rams, who drafted the running back in 2020. The twice-traded back caught on with Seattle’s active roster in late November but also spent time on the practice squad, hence the futures contract. The Seahawks are the sixth-year veteran’s fifth NFL team.
A converted wide receiver used primarily on special teams, Jones handled six carries in the Seahawks’ divisional-round blowout win over the 49ers. The former Bears draftee played in five Saints games before catching on with the Seahawks this season. He will join Akers as RBs on Seattle’s offseason roster, as the team has Kenneth Walker unsigned and Zach Charbonnet rehabbing an ACL tear.
Hall joins Akers in being a six-year veteran. The Jets used an injury activation on Weston — a 2025 UDFA — last season but later waived him. The rookie linebacker did not see any action with the Seahawks but will continue to develop in the Pacific Northwest.
Cor’Dale Flott Changes Agents Ahead Of FA
With the new league year just around the corner, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott is changing his representation as he prepares to leave the Giants and hit free agency, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
Flott, 24, was previously represented by AthElite Agency and will now be moving to Athletes First, one of the most prominent agencies in the NFL. Their client list includes Jordan Love, Justin Herbert, Micah Parsons, and Kyle Hamilton, among many others.
Originally a third-round pick out of LSU in 2022, Flott started six games for the Giants as a rookie and seven in his second year. He moved to a bigger role in 2024 with 10 starts and started all 14 games in which he appeared in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound cornerback has not appeared in more than 14 games in a season due to injuries, though he only landed on IR once, at the end of the 2025 season.
Flott’s resume should position him for a solid payday in a market that has risen significantly in the last year. There are a number of solid cornerbacks set to hit free agency, but Flott will be the youngest one with meaningful starting experience. He only has three interceptions in his career, but he amassed 23 passes defended. He had 11 in 2025 alone, along with a career-low 52.2% completion rate and 73.3 passer rating when targeted.
Cardinals Interviewed Seahawks DBs Coach Karl Scott For DC Job
The Cardinals are continuing to interview potential defensive coordinators to serve under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
The latest addition to the list is Seahawk defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Karl Scott, who has already completed an interview for the job, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Scott, 40, is a longtime defensive backs coach who came up with a number fo college programs. After stints as the defensive backs coach at Texas Tech and Alabama – the latter of which included time with Xavier McKinney, Trevon Diggs, and Patrick Surtain – Scott moved to the NFL in 2021. He spent a year as the Vikings’ defensive backs coach but was not retained on Kevin O’Connell‘s new staff the following year.
Scott then moved to Seattle, where he has served as the defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator for the last four seasons. He has found success with a long list of defensive backs: cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, and Josh Jobe and safeties Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, Coby Bryant, and Ty Okada.
Those results have earned Scott interest from multiple teams for DC jobs in recent offseasons. Spending two years under Mike Macdonald has only boosted his resume for this year’s hiring cycle. He is a rumored candidate to follow Klint Kubiak to Las Vegas to become the Raiders’ DC and interviewed for the Commanders’ job last month.
In Arizona, Scott would be tasked with reviving a Cardinals defense that struggled under Jonathan Gannon despite his background on that side of the ball. They have a young cornerback corps with plenty of potential with safety Budda Baker serving as the unit’s anchor for the last several years. Scott’s expertise in secondary play makes him a strong candidate to get the most out of that group, which may allow the team to invest more resources in other areas of need.
Raiders To Interview Seahawks WRs Coach Frisman Jackson For OC Job
Like many new head coaches, Klint Kubiak is looking to his former staff in Seattle to help fill his new one in Las Vegas.
The Raiders are expected to interview Seahawks wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He is the first candidate to interview for the job, though Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko is viewed as an early frontrunner.
Jackson, 46, has played or coached the wide receiver position since 1997. After five years in college –split between Northern Illinois and Western Illinois – Jackson caught on with the Browns as an undrafted rookie in 2002. He primarily served as a returner and managed to carve out a rotational role in 2004 and 2005, but he did not play in 2006 or 2007 and retired from playing the following year.
Jackson then began coaching wide receivers at the college level, starting at Western Illinois and continuing with four other programs, including his other alma mater. His first NFL job came with the Titans in 2017, and after returning to the college level for two years at Baylor, he made a permanent move back to the pros. He spent two years in Carolina and two in Pittsburgh before landing in Seattle, where he survived the team’s offensive coordinator change from Ryan Grubb in 2024 to Kubiak in 2025.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba took massive strides under Jackson, going from 63 receptions for 628 receiving yards in 2023 to 100 receptions for 1,130 receiving yards in 2024. In 2025, he jumped to 119 catches and a league-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Raiders have a few young talents at receiver, but none anywhere near Smith-Njigba’s level, so Jackson would be tasked with raising the overall floor of the unit as the team looks for bigger upgrades in free agency and the draft.
Browns Request DC Interview With Cory Undlin
Cory Undlin has long been seen as a top defensive coordinator candidate for the Browns. He has already been in contact with the team, and an interview will soon take place. 
A request has been submitted, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports. Undlin is currently in place with the Texans as their defensive pass-game coordinator. He has not yet been connected to any other DC vacancies, but interest from Cleveland is understandable. The 54-year-old worked with the Browns from 2005-08. He held a number of titles over the course of that span, working on defense and special teams along the way.
Since his Cleveland departure, Undlin has seen time with the Jaguars, Broncos, Eagles, Lions, 49ers and Texans. He served as Detroit’s defensive coordinator in 2020, although the team ranked last in scoring and total defense that season. Undlin nevertheless has plenty of experience working with defensive backs at the NFL level, and he is a familiar option to pair with new head coach Todd Monken.
The two did not overlap during their respective stints in Cleveland. However, Monken and Undlin worked together in Jacksonville for two seasons. Undlin also has experience working under ex-Browns DC Jim Schwartz, having won a Super Bowl with him in Philadelphia. If the Browns intend to essentially duplicate Schwartz’s scheme in 2026, bringing in Undlin would be a reasonable approach.
Cabot also notes a defensive coordinator interview took place with Mike Rutenberg yesterday. The Falcons’ defensive pass-game coordinator is one of several staffers connected to the opening in Cleveland with Schwartz opting to resign upon not landing the head coaching gig. Here is an updated look at where things stand:
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Charlie Bullen, defensive pass-game coordinator (Giants): Interview requested
- Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 2/9
- Mike Rutenberg, defensive pass-game coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 2/11
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Cory Undlin, defensive pass-game coordinator (Texans): Interviewe requested
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate; withdrew from search
Packers’ Jordan Morgan Likely To See Time At LT In 2026
When Jordan Morgan entered the league two years ago, he faced uncertainty regarding his best position at the NFL level. The former first-rounder could be in line to handle left tackle duties next season. 
The Packers have used Rasheed Walker on the blindside for each of the past three years. His rookie contract is set to expire in March, however, and a free agent departure is likely. That would leave Green Bay in need of a new left tackle, and trying Morgan at the position in 2026 is an option the team will explore.
“Certainly he’s going to get a lot of opportunity,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said (via Matt Schneidman The Athletic) of Morgan’s chances to replace Walker at LT. “I thought he played really well in the preseason at that spot — probably did enough to win that job — but then we had some injuries and [we] had to do what was best for the team.
“So we’ll kind of see how it goes, but I think he’s excited, probably, to hunker down in one spot, as well, but that’s not always the case in the National Football League.”
Morgan played left tackle during his college career. The Arizona product has seen limited time on the blindside during the preseason in his NFL career; he also started at left tackle in Week 18 of the 2025 campaign when the Packers rested several starters. Moving from guard to tackle on a full-time basis will be a challenge if it winds up taking place. Morgan has seen some time at four OL positions to date, but his largest workloads have come at right and left guard.
2025 free agent signing Aaron Banks is in line to continue operating at the left guard spot next season. Anthony Belton – who also has tackle experience dating back to his college career – won the right guard gig during his rookie season. Experimenting with Belton on the blindside could be an option, but keeping him at RG would allow for Morgan to settle into a full-time role at one spot.
A decision on the fifth-year option for Morgan, 24, will need to be made next spring. Green Bay’s direction on that front will be heavily influenced by his level of play in 2026. Next season could see him take on a full-time role at the left tackle spot. Failure to do so would leave Morgan’s Green Bay future uncertain and require the team to explore other options on the blindside.
Jets Expected To Be Aggressive During Free Agency
The Jets went 3-14 during the first year of the Aaron Glenn-Darren Mougey era. The success of that tandem in bringing in roster upgrades will be critical if improvements are to be made in 2026. 
A key first step in that process will of course be free agency. It appears as though New York will be one of the teams worth watching closely come March. The Jets are expected to be “among the league’s more aggressive” suitors when it comes to free agent additions, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports.
That comes as little surprise. The Jets are currently fourth in the NFL in projected cap space with more than $83MM in available funds. That figure will change once the 2026 salary cap is finalized and cost-cutting season gets underway, but it should leave Mougey with considerable flexibility on the open market. At least one or two notable additions could be worked out shortly after the new league year begins.
Of course, finding replacements for cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams – both of whom were traded away at the 2025 deadline – will be a priority. That could take place during the draft, however, depending on how the market takes shape. The Jets are also in position to target a quarterback addition. Tyrod Taylor is open to re-signing with New York, but Justin Fields is unlikely to remain in place for next year.
As Hughes notes, Glenn’s job security is viewed around the league as being on shaky ground. That, coupled with the lack of a long-term plan under center, could create challenges when attempting to bring in certain free agents. On the other hand, a desirable situation from a salary cap standpoint should put the Jets in a strong position to win a bidding war in at least some cases.
In addition to finding a new QB1 along with starting-caliber options at the receiver spot and potentially running back (if Breece Hall departs), the Jets will look for defensive upgrades after finishing 32rd in points allowed in 2025. Glenn has made a number changes to his coaching staff, and he could be at the helm of a much different roster relatively soon.
Seahawks Sale Expected To Produce Record-Setting Price
The Seahawks’ Super Bowl parade took place on Wednesday. The team’s attention will now turn to matters such as filling out its 2026 coaching staff. 
In the meantime, a sale of the franchise will remain something to monitor closely. The Seahawks are required to be sold per the terms of late owner Paul Allen‘s estate, which is controlled by his sister Jody. A agreement sometime this offseason is expected to be pursued by all parties.
The league is operating with urgency on this front, NFL Network’s Judy Battista notes (video link). She adds the sale process could begin in time for the annual league meetings in March. Jody Allen is also overseeing the sale of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, with an agreement already in place in that regard. If/when the Seahawks are purchased, a record-breaking figure can be expected.
Bidding on the Seahawks could reach a figure between $9 and $11 billion, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. That would easily set a new highmark for the value of sports franchises. The most recent sale of an NFL team came when Josh Harris purchased the Commanders in 2023. The price tag in that case was $6.05 billion. A long list of bidders showing interest in the Seahawks could of course result in a much larger figure this time around.
Jeff Bezos is not expected to be a major suitor to purchase the franchise, Florio confirms. The Amazon founder has long been mentioned as a logical candidate to take on ownership duties, but many have expressed doubt he will show interest in making a bid. The emergence of other suitors will be something to monitor as the sales process gets underway.
There has been recent reporting of a $5MM fine being issued to the Seahawks by the NFL for a lack of compliance with ownership requirements. Per Florio, the league – which denied the reports – agreed not to impose the fine in exchange for a firm commitment from the team to proceed with the sale. As a result, a number of developments could take place over the course of the 2026 offseason.
Klint Kubiak Was Cardinals’ Preferred HC
During their search for a head coach to replace the fired Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals identified NFC West offensive coordinators Klint Kubiak (Seahawks) and Mike LaFleur (Rams) as favorites. Both coaches interviewed with Arizona twice, but LaFleur was the pick after Kubiak agreed to take the Raiders’ job.
If the Cardinals had their way, they’d have hired Kubiak instead of LaFleur, an NFL general manager told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. They’d have been willing to wait until after the Super Bowl to make it official, as the Raiders did.
“Trust me, Kubiak was their guy,” said the GM, who also had interest in hiring Kubiak. “They would have done whatever they could to get him, but it wasn’t going to happen. They would have waited as long as it took. And then they had to scramble.”
The Cardinals aren’t known for spending big on head coaches or assistants, as La Canfora notes, but they’d have veered from their usual modus operandi in this instance. It’s easy to understand why Kubiak went in another direction, though, and it begins with the presence of influential Raiders minority owner and legendary quarterback Tom Brady. The seven-time Super Bowl champion “made a unique appeal to Kubiak,” La Canfora writes.
In joining Brady and the Raiders, Kubiak will grab the reins of a team that could reel in a long-term quarterback solution with the first pick in this year’s draft. After winning the Heisman Trophy and national championship at Indiana in 2025, Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to become a Raider in late April.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, don’t have an answer at the game’s foremost position. Although they drafted another former Heisman winner, Kyler Murray, first overall in 2019, they’re now hoping to trade him seven years later. Arizona joins Las Vegas in owning a premium draft pick (No. 3 overall), but barring an unexpected development, there isn’t a QB in this class worth taking that high. It’s not considered a strong group of signal-callers beyond Mendoza. That’s a harsh reality for the Cardinals and other QB-needy teams near the top of the first round.
In addition to the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Raiders possess the league’s second-most cap space ($91.52MM, per OverTheCap). The Cardinals are also in good shape in that regard, but at $42.19MM, they’re about $50MM behind the Raiders.
Both LaFleur and Kubiak have their work cut out in turning around long-suffering franchises, but it should be more difficult for the Cardinals. While Kubiak will walk into a very tough AFC West and battle the Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs, the NFC West was the best division in the league in 2025.
Kubiak’s Super Bowl-winning Seahawks, LaFleur’s Rams and the 49ers combined to go a dominant 38-13 in the regular season. All three swept the 3-14 Cardinals. Now, after losing out on Kubiak, the Cardinals are left to hope LaFleur will lead them out of the basement.