Seahawks Likely To Pursue Internal Klint Kubiak OC Replacement?
Sunday night’s Super Bowl victory marked a successful end to Klint Kubiak‘s Seattle tenure. After one season as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, Kubiak is in position to become the new head coach of the Raiders. 
Replacing Kubiak will be a key priority for Seattle in the near future. Many of the coordinator openings around the NFL have of course already been filled, something which will limit the market for outside candidates in Seattle’s case. That may not prove to be particularly relevant, though.
There is a “strong possibility” the Seahawks will look to replace Kubiak through an internal promotion, ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports. He also predicts the list of staffers who will follow Kubiak from Seattle to Las Vegas will be relatively short. How things play out on that front will obviously influence the candidate pool the Seahawks have to choose from.
Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, pass-game coordinator Jake Peetz and running backs coach Justin Outten are among the coaches Seattle had in place for the team’s Super Bowl run. Any or all of them will no doubt receive consideration from Kubiak as he pieces together his staff. Each could be seen as prime candidates to be promoted to the OC role in Seattle, however. In any event, the Seahawks are required to conduct at least one in-person interview with an external minority candidate to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
Head coach Mike Macdonald will soon have a third OC in place in as many years leading the Seahawks. Needless to say, he will look for a level of success much closer to Kubiak’s single campaign in Seattle than Ryan Grubb‘s one-and-done showing as offensive coordinator from 2024.
Browns To Conduct DC Interview With Aubrey Pleasant; Team Requests Jonathan Cooley, Charlie Bullen Meetings
With the Browns‘ head coaching position going to Todd Monken, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will not be with the team any longer. His resignation has created a DC opening in Cleveland for the first time in three years. 
The list of candidates to replace Schwartz has grown. Rams defensive pass-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant will speak with the Browns this afternoon, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Meanwhile, Charlie Bullen, currently the outside linebackers coach of the Giants, has received a Browns interview request, per Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo.
Both Pleasant and Bullen are also candidates for the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator opening. That is not the case for Panthers defensive pass-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley, but he too is on Cleveland’s radar. Cooley has received a DC interview request as well, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Pleasant’s first NFL coaching gig came in 2013. That season, he worked as an intern with the Browns. Since then, the former UDFA has held a number of roles on various NFL teams. Much of Pleasant’s coaching career has come with the Rams, though. He has worked with the team during two different stints; back in Los Angeles since 2023, he received the added title of assistant head coach one year later.
Bullen is also a veteran staffer, with experience at the college and pro levels. The 41-year-old joined the Giants’ staff in 2024, and he took over from Shane Bowen midway through this past campaign after Bowen’s dismissal. New York brought in Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator, ensuring Bullen would not receive the gig on a full-time basis. His first full season leading a defense would come about in 2026 in the event of a Browns (or Cardinals) hire.
Cooley had not been connected to any D-coordinator openings prior to today. A former Rams staffer, he worked under Ejiro Evero in Los Angeles. The two were reunited in Carolina in 2023. Cooley worked as the Panthers’ secondary coach during his first season with the team. For the past two years, he has held his current title.
Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand with the Browns:
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed
- 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): To interview 2/9
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Interviewed
- Cory Undlin, defensive pass-game coordinator (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate; withdrew from search
Eagles To Hire Chris Kuper As OL Coach
The Eagles will be without Jeff Stoutland for the first time since 2012. Not long after the highly-regarded offensive line coach departed, Philadelphia has lined up his replacement. 
Chris Kuper is being hired as the Eagles’ new O-line coach, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The former NFL offensive lineman has been a coach at the pro level dating back to 2016. Kuper worked as an assistant O-line staffer during his time with the Dolphins (2017-18) and Broncos (2019-21).
That was followed by a first opportunity to work as an offensive line coach. Kuper joined Kevin O’Connell‘s initial Vikings staff in 2022 and remained there through this past season. Upon seeing his contract expire, 43-year-old knew as of last month he would be working elsewhere in 2026. He will now join the Eagles as an experienced member of the group being assembled by Sean Mannion.
Mannion was brought in as Philadelphia’s new offensive coordinator, replacing Kevin Patullo in the process. The former NFL quarterback has only been a coach for the past two years, but having worked with the Packers he experienced NFC North overlap with Kuper. Familiarity between the two also includes the fact Kuper was present for part of Mannion’s Vikings tenure at the end of his playing career. The two will now reunite on the sidelines.
The Eagles’ offensive line faces a number of questions at the moment. Right tackle Lane Johnson (35) but also left guard Landon Dickerson (27) are contemplating retirement. In Johnson’s case in particular, the absence of Stoutland could prove to be significant. It will be interesting to see how Philadelphia proceeds up front with a new coach now in place.
Kuper will not hold the title of run-game coordinator, something which was previously the case for Stoutland. That responsibility will instead fall to Ryan Mahaffey, who followed Mannion from the Packers’ coaching staff to that of the Eagles. Another familiar face will be present for Mannion’s first season as a coordinator.
Final 2026 NFL Draft Order
With Super Bowl LX in the books, the full 2026 NFL draft order has been set. Free agency is not far away, but attention will increasingly turn to April’s event as the offseason progresses.
The top of the first-round order is not subject to much in the way of speculation. The Raiders own the No. 1 selection and are widely seen as the landing spot for Fernando Mendoza, the lone quarterback regarded as a first-round lock at this point. How other QB-needy teams positioned throughout the order operate over the coming weeks – knowing there is a lack of high-end prospects this year – will make for an interesting storyline around the league.
This year’s NFL Combine will begin on February 23. Events such as the Senior Bowl have already taken place, leaving the Combine as the next major checkpoint in the evaluation of top prospects. Teams will begin arranging ‘Top 30’ visits with several players of interest relatively soon during the build-up to the draft. This year’s event will take place in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
Pending the inevitable trades which will shake up the order, here is a final look at how things stand leading up to Day 1:
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- New York Jets (3-14)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- New York Giants (4-13)
- Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Washington Commanders (5-12)
- New Orleans Saints (6-11)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
- Miami Dolphins (7-10)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Detroit Lions (9-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Carolina Panthers (8-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
- Chicago Bears (11-6)
- Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Houston Texans (12-5)
- Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
- Denver Broncos (14-3)
- New England Patriots (14-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
49ers Expected To Receive Trade Calls On QB Mac Jones
Last offseason, the 49ers added Mac Jones on a two-year contract. That proved to be a worthwhile investment given the former first-rounder’s level of play when filling in for an injured Brock Purdy. 
Jones looms as a potential trade target given the dearth of other veteran passers in position to reach the market. However, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently made clear the team’s intention of keeping Jones in place for 2026. Cost-controlled passers are nevertheless a highly valuable commodity, and trade calls can be expected.
“Multiple” teams plan to at least reach out to the 49ers about a Jones trade, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (video link). That would come as no surprise. The former Patriots first-rounder won five of his eight starts in 2025, setting new career highs in completion percentage (69.6%) and yards per attempt (7.4) along the way. Much of that has been attributed to Shanahan’s scheme, but a trade aimed at giving Jones another opportunity to operate as a full-time starter would naturally be compelling for any number of teams.
A high asking price would be required for San Francisco’s stance to budge. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, it remains the team’s plan to keep both Purdy and Jones for 2026. The 49ers made a massive investment in Purdy last offseason, inking him to a pact averaging $53MM per season. An affordable QB2 will of course be key throughout the life of that extension. Jones, 27, is due $3.25MM for 2026 as things stands; that includes a base salary ($1.4MM) which would be highly attractive to quarterback-needy teams.
Per Pelissero, Jones and his camp could push for a “contractual adjustment” in the event a strong trade market develops but the 49ers elect to keep him. At least a moderate raise could be in store based on the Alabama product’s level of play in 2025. San Francisco has a history of agreeing to top-ups for several players with Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in place. It will be interesting to see if the list on that front grows relatively soon.
Especially if Daniel Jones remains in Indianapolis, the free agent market will not offer much in the way of starting-caliber passers. The 2026 draft, meanwhile, only includes one quarterback (Fernando Mendoza) seen as a first-round lock. That could drive up the asking price for trade chips like Jones, but it remains to be seen if the 49ers will be convinced to seriously entertain any offers.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans Could Continue Playing In 2026
The 2026 offseason will once again include questions about the future of Mike Evans. The Buccaneers icon is a pending free agent, and it remains to be seen if his career will continue. 
Nothing has officially be decided on that front yet. Nevertheless, Sunday has brought about an update of sorts on Evans’ future. Agent Deryk Gilmore indicated to Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that a 13th NFL season may be in store in this case.
“Mike started the season in great shape,” a statement from Gilmore reads in part. “Most people in the organization said he probably had the best camp of everyone. He finished feeling better than he has in several seasons. I think his competitive nature leads to more football. That is my hope.”
Evans came close to reaching the open market in 2024, but he wound up inking a two-year, $41MM pact. That deal is now set to void on the final day of the 2025 league year. With no extension having been worked out over the course of the past season, it is once again unclear how this situation will play out. Evans, 32, said in September he would contemplate retirement after the 2025 season.
Things certainly did not go as he or the Bucs would have hoped. Various injuries – including a broken clavicle – limited Evans to just eight games. As a result, the six-time Pro Bowler was held under 1,000 receiving yards in a season for the first time in his career. That will no doubt deal a blow to Evans’ market value, but a new Tampa Bay deal would of course offer a boost to the team’s receiving core.
On the other hand, the Buccaneers already have Chris Godwin on the books through 2027. He, along with Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Emeka Egbuka and 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan could operate as an effective WR trio moving forward. Evans has a Super Bowl title and nearly $155MM in career earnings to his name. Adding to his decorated career will be possible if he elects to continue playing, although a firm commitment on his part will remain something to watch for as free agency approaches.
Colts To Begin Daniel Jones Negotiations Soon; Franchise Tag Possible
It has long been known a mutual desire exists between the Colts and quarterback Daniel Jones to finalize a contract for 2026 and beyond. Work on attaining that goal should begin shortly. 
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (video link) talks on a long-term deal are expected to open in the near future. Jones’ debut Indianapolis campaign started off extremely well, and his Achilles tear proved to be highly costly. Since then, a full recovery has been projected in time for the 2026 campaign.
The Colts’ QB plan this spring will of course hinge largely on their ability to retain Jones. The former Giants first-rounder hopes to remain in Indianapolis. A high-profile trip to the open market looms at this point, but it would come as a major surprise if that were to become possible. As Pelissero notes, the franchise tag is an option to guarantee at least a second Colts season for Jones. The 2026 tag for quarterbacks is projected to cost roughly $47MM.
That figure would represent a massive raise compared to the one-year pact Jones signed to join the Colts last March. The 28-year-old secured $14MM in base pay, with nearly all of that figure guaranteed. A franchise tag would also carry fully locked-in compensation, and using it would buy the Colts extended time to continue negotiating an extension.
Both sides will look to avoid such a situation; players always prefer a multiyear commitment to the tag, while teams aim to avoid the cap charges brought on by the one-year tender. The progress of negotiations over the coming days will thus be something to watch closely. Indianapolis is currently mid-pack in terms of projected cap space for next season, but the team has a number of pending free agent decisions to make. The top priority, to no surprise, appears to be sorting out the quarterback position.
Since Andrew Luck‘s retirement, the Colts have struggled to find a long-term solution under center. Former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson has not lived up to expectations since arriving in the NFL, and his future in with Indianapolis is unclear. Without a successor in place, the team would be forced to explore a weak free agent market and/or a draft class which is not held in high regard to replace Jones. If all goes well in the near future, finding a new starting quarterback will not prove necessary.
Falcons OLB James Pearce Jr. Arrested
FEBRUARY 8: Pearce is currently being held on a $20,500 bond, as noted by ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. He has been assigned to the felony domestic crimes intake unit. A pre-trial conditional stay-away order has also been issued to prevent Pearce from having any contact with Jackson.
FEBRUARY 7: Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday in Doral, Florida and booked in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. 
Booking records indicate Pearce faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He has also been charged with one count each of aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren. According to Pablo Hernandez of WPLG Local 10 News, Pearce was arrested after crashing his car while fleeing police.
Doral Police was dispatched to a dispute involving one man and one woman. Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez stated the woman in question was WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Jackson, 24, was selected in the first round of the league’s 2024 draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Pearce is alleged to have fled the scene prior to ultimately crashing and being detained.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida reports Pearce is accused of intentionally crashing his Lamborghini into Jackson’s car to prevent her from reaching a police station. It was that incident, he adds, which led to the Pearce police chase.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” a team statement reads (h/t Josh Kendall of The Athletic). “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
The Falcons made a concerted effort to boost their pass rush during the opening round of the 2025 draft. After selecting Jalon Walker 15th overall, Atlanta traded back into the Day 1 order and added Pearce with pick No. 26. The arrival of both players proved highly impactful in upgrading the Falcons’ production along the edge. Pearce, 22, collected 10.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits in 2025. Those totals helped him finish third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Pearce’s bond has yet to be set, according to the WPLG piece. His arrest report has not yet been made available, it adds, limiting details on the nature of the alleged incident.
Cowboys Expected To Tag WR George Pickens; Sides Have Mutual Extension Interest, But Tag-And-Trade Possible
FEBRUARY 8: Recent reporting has suggested that, whether he plays on the franchise tag or on a new, multiyear contract, Pickens will remain in Dallas for at least 2026. But it is still possible that 2025 may have been Pickens’ only season with the Cowboys.
While confirming that the club will slap Pickens with the franchise tag, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) says the team could explore a tag-and-trade scenario. Such a move would obviously weaken the Cowboys’ WR corps but would represent a good value proposition considering they would likely recoup a better draft pick than the third-rounder they dealt to the Steelers to acquire Pickens last year. Plus, it would keep a second high-end receiver contract off the books and allow Dallas to reinvest elsewhere.
Like Parsons, Pickens is represented by agent David Mulugheta, whose exclusion from the Jones-Parsons negotiations was a contributing factor in the trade that sent the star pass rusher to the Packers. Rapoport and others have speculated that Mulugheta’s presence is a wrinkle that could complicate extension talks between Pickens and the Cowboys.
FEBRUARY 7: George Pickens‘ stellar showing in 2025 has no doubt provided a major boost to his free agent stock. A trip to the open market continues to look unlikely, however. 
The Cowboys have a history of using the franchise tag, and applying it to Pickens has long loomed as a possibility for the 2026 offseason. Signs continue to point in the direction of the one-year tender being used in this case. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Dallas is indeed expected to tag Pickens.
Franchise tag values have not been finalized for 2026 at this point, but a relatively narrow range regarding next year’s salary cap recently emerged. The tag price for receivers is currently set to check in at nearly $29MM. That figure will be guaranteed if/when Pickens receives the tag. That would of course leave the door open to negotiations on a long-term deal.
Both sides in this case have been mentioned as willing to explore a deal lasting beyond 2026 based on the success of Pickens’ first Cowboys season. According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, there is a “mutual interest” for an extension to be worked out. Harris notes Pickens’ issues with tardiness for team meetings – something which became a talking point during his three-year Steelers tenure – carried over to Dallas at times during the 2025 season. Owner Jerry Jones downplayed the matter during an interview with Harris, though, and attention will increasingly turn to the matter of contract talks.
It was confirmed earlier this week the Cowboys have yet to begin extension negotiations with Pickens’ camp. Dallas has a well-documented history under Jones when it comes to high-profile talks taking longer than many feel they should. The Micah Parsons episode of 2025 was an extreme example of how things can spiral over time when neither side budges during an extended period. In the case of Pickens, a decision on the franchise tag will need to made by March 3.
“I’m talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him,” Jones said of the 24-year-old (via the Cowboys’ website). “He’s better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.”
The receiver market topped $40MM per season last year when Ja’Marr Chase signed his Bengals extension. He and Justin Jefferson comfortably lead the way in terms of guaranteed money at the position. Pickens is a candidate for a massive raise beginning in 2026 no matter what, but a long-term deal would ensure far greater earnings than the $8.78MM the former second-round pick collected on his rookie pact. A new contract averaging at least $30MM annually was the aim for Pickens and his camp when he arrived in Dallas and elected not to pursue an extension right away.
That decision is set to pay off. Pickens enjoyed a career year in 2025, securing a top-eight finish leaguewide in receptions (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). Based on his age and instant chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott, Pickens profiles as a logical candidate for a major investment. On the other hand, Dallas already has one monster WR pact on the books in the form of CeeDee Lamb. He and Prescott are set to represent substantial cap charges on offense for years to come.
The Cowboys have a number of other key decisions to make with their other pending free agents (such as running back Javonte Williams, with whom the team has been in contact). Among the easiest ones Dallas faces, however, is using the tag to keep Pickens from departing. Players who receive the tender have until July 15 to agree to a long-term contract and avoid playing out the season on the tag.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Vikings To Consider Wide Range Of QB Additions?
Given the way J.J. McCarthy played (when available) in 2025, the Vikings find themselves in the market for at least one notable quarterback addition. The manner in which the team goes about bringing in a new passer will make for an interesting offseason storyline. 
Both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones departed in free agency during the 2025 offseason. The success both quarterbacks had with their new teams provided a stark contrast to McCarthy, who was sidelined for his entire rookie campaign. The former top-10 pick started 10 games in Year 2, struggling in a number of categories along the way. Poor play, along with various injuries, ensured the need for competition to be brought in this spring.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and since-fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both spoke on that subject after the season ended. Free agency and the trade market loom as avenues for the Vikings to make an addition. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network predicts (video link) a veteran will be sought out in the near future. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini also expects a move on that front (subscription required). A new deal for Carson Wentz – who took over QB1 duties prior to undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery – could be an option. Otherwise, several paths will at least be explored this spring.
As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert writes, “all bets are off” when it comes to how the Vikings will proceed. The firing of Adofo-Mensah came at an unexpected time, but many observers were not surprised a change was made in the wake of his QB setup not going to plan. Seifert’s colleague Jeremy Fowler notes Jones was a higher priority than Darnold last spring with respect to a Minnesota re-signing. The Colts wound up inking Jones to a one-year pact, but he is widely expected to remain in Indianapolis for 2026. Darnold, meanwhile, is one the books with Seattle through 2027.
McCarthy’s rookie deal has another two years remaining on it, with a potential fifth-year option to be decided on next spring. The Michigan product is certainly not a bust so early in his NFL career, but stabilizing Minnesota’s offense will depend in large part on much better play from under center. A short-term addition such as Aaron Rodgers or Joe Flacco could buy time for McCarthy to develop further. The trade market could involve other veterans such as Jacoby Brissett, who has one year remaining on his deal and is owed just $5.44MM for 2026.
It would be noteworthy to say the least if the Vikings were to consider drafting a new passer relatively early. The team does not have a full-time general manager at the moment, and Rob Brzezinski‘s replacement will not arrive until after the draft. A strong possibility exists for Minnesota’s next GM to inherit not only McCarthy but also another quarterback they had no role in acquiring. That would definitely make for an interesting dynamic between O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah’s eventual successor.
The Vikings are one of many teams currently projected to be over the cap for 2026. Several cost-shedding moves will be required as a result, and the amount of financial flexibility created will go a long way in determining which quarterbacks become affordable.