Jets Remain In Contact With Frank Reich; Aaron Glenn Could Call Defensive Plays?
Frank Reich emerged over the weekend as a candidate to watch for the Jets as their coordinator searches continue. A hire in his case could be drawing near. 
Conversations are “progressing” between Reich and the Jets, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. An agreement remains the team’s priority as this point while head coach Aaron Glenn attempts to fill out his staff. Tanner Engstrand is set to remain in New York for 2026, but his responsibilities for next season are still unclear.
As Hughes notes, Engstrand could wind up retaining the title of offensive coordinator for 2026. In the event he were to be hired, though, Reich would handle play-calling duties. The longtime NFL quarterback – who spent one year of his playing career with the Jets – has worked as an offensive coordinator on two occasions (Chargers from 2014-15; Eagles from 2016-17). Reich’s Philadelphia tenure included a Super Bowl championship but then-head coach Doug Pederson called plays at the time.
Reich worked as the Colts’ head coach for four-plus years, with his time there ending midway through the 2022 season. He lasted less than one full campaign during his debut season as the Panthers’ head coach, one in which play-calling duties changed hands along the way. Since his most recent NFL gig came to a quick end, Reich has worked at Stanford. A return to the pro game remains something to watch for in the 64-year-old’s case, though.
Meanwhile, the search for defensive coordinator Steve Wilks‘ replacement is ongoing. Don Martindale remains a leading candidate at this point, per Hughes, although he cautions a hire on that front is not considered as certain as it was in recent days. Martindale has a lengthy track record in the NFL, having been a DC with three teams. After a less-than-cordial departure from the Giants in 2023, Martindale spent the past two seasons as Michigan’s defensive coordinator.
A return to the NFL would be in store in the event of a Jets agreement. Other options are still being explored, however. According to Hughes, candidates who met with the team received the impression Glenn’s preference would be to call plays himself. That leaves the door open to Chris Harris remaining New York’s D-coordinator through 2026 (after he took over from Wilks) but in a role which does not include play-calling duties.
Prior to landing the Jets’ HC gig last winter, Glenn called plays with the Lions during his four-year run as their DC. Detroit ranked seventh in points allowed during the 2024 season, but Glenn’s tenure there included a number of middling showings in terms of total defense. New York bottomed out on defense during Glenn’s first HC season, one in which Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were traded away. Significant improvement on that side of the ball will be a key priority over the coming months.
How the Jets go about that on the sidelines remains unclear at this point. Neither Reich nor Martindale have been connected to any other coordinator openings around the NFL so far. One or both could be in the fold soon, but that will depend in large part on what Glenn decides his role will be in 2026.
Steelers To Conduct OC Interview With Lunda Wells
Once Mike Tomlin resigned as head coach of the Steelers, the possibility of widespread coaching changes emerged. Pittsburgh now has Mike McCarthy in place, and one of his first priorities will be filling the offensive coordinator position. 
It was learned over the weekend that Arthur Smith has agreed to join Ohio State as the school’s new OC. That marks an end to his two-year tenure in Pittsburgh. Smith was connected to other NFL coordinator opportunities as well as some of the league’s head coaching vacancies. In any case, his departure did not come as a surprise and it created the need for a new Steelers OC.
A target on that front has now emerged. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Pittsburgh is expected to interview Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells this week. Wells has been in his current position since 2020, the year McCarthy arrived as Dallas’ head coach. The two worked together for five years on the Cowboys’ staff.
Wells began his NFL coaching career in 2012 with the Giants. The 47-year-old remained in New York for eight years before joining McCarthy in Dallas. Wells has a background as an offensive line coach, but his final two years with the Giants saw him coach the team’s tight ends. He has continued doing so throughout his Cowboys tenure, including the 2025 campaign after head coach Brian Schottenheimer retained him last winter. Wells interviewed with the Commanders for their OC gig earlier this month before Washington ultimately promoted David Blough to the position.
Wells has drawn praise for his role in developing the likes of Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson during his Cowboys tenure. He is currently occupied with preparations for tonight’s East-West Shrine Bowl, where he will coach the West team. After that commitment is finished, though, another OC interview will likely be arranged.
Philip Rivers Withdraws From Bills’ HC Search; Team To Interview Davis Webb
Philip Rivers did well in his recent head coaching interview with the Bills. It will not result in him being hired, however. 
The longtime NFL quarterback has withdrawn from consideration in Buffalo’s search, as first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. As recently as yesterday, the Bills were reported to be giving “serious consideration” to a Rivers hire despite his lack of coaching experience. Instead, both parties will move in a different direction.
Once the regular season ended, Rivers confirmed his three-game cameo with the Colts late in the year represented his final action as a player. The potential for head coaching interest was immediately raised, although Buffalo is the only team which has interviewed him so far. Provided that remains the case, Rivers will likely return to coaching his eldest son’s high school team for the 2026 season.
The 44-year-old has coached at the high school level for four years. He has never held a position on any NCAA or NFL staff, something which would have made a head coaching hire a rather noteworthy one. Rivers’ football IQ and leadership qualities played a key role in his success as a player, and they could easily translate into a coaching career. Interest in his case during future hiring cycles will be something to watch for.
The Bills, meanwhile, will proceed with their search for Sean McDermott‘s replacement. A number of outside candidates have spoken with the team so far, while offensive coordinator Joe Brady looms as an option to be promoted to head coach. Buffalo was linked yesterday to interest in Davis Webb, who is currently in place with the Broncos but spent part of his playing career as a teammate of Josh Allen with the Bills.
Webb immediately turned his attention to coaching once his playing career ended following the 2022 season. He was a member of Sean Payton‘s initial Broncos staff in 2023, serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach. In 2025, the 31-year-old had pass-game coordinator added to his title. With the Broncos’ season having ended yesterday, Webb and his colleagues are free to speak with interested teams as the HC carousel continues to spin. Per Russini, Webb will indeed meet with the Bills this morning.
In the wake of today’s updates, here is where the Bills now stand:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/22
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/22; prefers Buffalo gig
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Anthony Lynn, run-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/24
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 1/23; withdrew from search
- Philip Rivers, former NFL quarterback: Interviewed 1/23; withdrew from search
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/25
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/24
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): To interview 1/26
Chargers Confirm Mike McDaniel OC Hire
Mike McDaniel will not take on a new head coaching position in 2026. After exploring options on that front over the past few days, the ex-Dolphins HC will indeed focus on his offensive coordinator agreement with the Chargers. 
The Bolts announced on Monday that McDaniel has officially joined the team. An agreement was reached last week which set him up to take on OC duties in Los Angeles. At the time, though, McDaniel was still a candidate for the head coaching gigs in Vegas and Baltimore. The Raiders have yet to make a hire, but one candidate has officially been removed from consideration.
The Bills are also among the four teams which still have a head coaching vacancy at this point. Buffalo was slated to interview McDaniel, but he withdrew from consideration on Saturday. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, McDaniel was hesitant about meeting with the Bills shortly after working out an arrangement with the Chargers.
As of this weekend, McDaniel was still expected to ultimately take the job with Los Angeles (h/t Dianna Russini of The Athletic). No deal was formally in place at the time, but that has now changed. The Chargers have their Greg Roman replacement in hand. Roman was fired immediately after Los Angeles lost in the wild-card round for the second straight year.
That decision came as little surprise given the Chargers’ struggles on offense during the playoffs under Roman. Nevertheless, it ensured head coach Jim Harbaugh would have someone else operating as his OC for the first time at the NFL level. McDaniel, 42, will certainly represent a notable change on the sidelines for Los Angeles as the team seeks improvement in efficiency.
At times during his Miami tenure, McDaniel guided a unit which thrived in a number of areas. The Dolphins posted a top-six finish in total offense in 2022 and ’23, the years in which Miami reached the postseason. Things did not go according to plan afterwards, with the team regressing in a number of categories. McDaniel is nevertheless regarded as one of the league’s top offensive minds.
That reputation was largely generated during a lengthy period which saw McDaniel work alongside Kyle Shanahan on multiple staffs. From 2017-21, he operated as a key figure in San Francisco. McDaniel was the 49ers’ run-game coordinator for four years before a single campaign in an OC role. That one did not include play-calling duties, but with the Chargers McDaniel will handle those responsibilities.
Several candidates interviewed with the Bolts for their offensive coordinator position, including three other former head coaches. In the end, though, the expected outcome has emerged with McDaniel heading to Los Angeles. His future head coaching stock will no doubt be tied in large part to his ability to maximize the potential of quarterback Justin Herbert and Co. moving forward.
Chargers Interview Dylan Roney For DC Position
The Chargers lost their highly-regarded defensive coordinator last week when Jesse Minter was hired as the Ravens’ new head coach. The search for his replacement continues. 
Los Angeles announced on Monday that an interview has taken place with one of the team’s top internal candidates. Outside linebackers coach Dylan Roney met with the Chargers for their DC gig. This is the first coordinator posting he has been linked to.
The Chargers have already interviewed three other staffers, although one of them (Dennard Wilson) is no longer on the market. Another two outside options – Zach Orr (Ravens) and Aubrey Pleasants (Rams) – have spoken with the team. It would come as little surprise if the Bolts looked internally to replace Minter, with defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale a name to watch on that front.
Clinkscale and Minter both spent time working under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan before following him to Los Angeles in 2024. Roney took that same route, working as a graduate assistant from 2021-23 on the Wolverines’ staff. He then became a defensive assistant with the Chargers during Harbaugh’s first season back in the NFL. Roney took on his current role ahead of the 2025 season.
Los Angeles posted 45 sacks this year, with much of that production coming from the team’s OLBs. Tuli Tuipulotu totaled a career-high 13 sacks, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. Khalil Mack chipped in as well, while midseason trade acquisition Odafe Oweh posted 7.5 sacks in 12 games after being held without one in five Ravens contests to begin the season. That success has no doubt helped Roney’s stock regarding a promotion or at least a lengthy tenure on the Chargers’ staff.
Mike McDaniel was officially hired on Monday to fill Los Angeles’ offensive coordinator vacancy. Attention will now increasingly turn to the DC position, with Roney a staffer to watch as Harbaugh weighs his options.
Ravens To Conduct OC Interview With Scottie Montgomery
Todd Monken has not officially departed the Ravens yet, but he is on track to coach elsewhere in 2026. Baltimore’s list of offensive coordinator replacement options is set to expand. 
The team will interview Lions receivers coach Scottie Montgomery, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That makes him the fourth candidate connected to Baltimore’s OC vacancy. One of them – Mike McDaniel – officially accepted the Chargers’ offensive coordinator gig on Monday.
A different former NFL head coach in the form of Kliff Kingsbury remains a name to watch for the Ravens regarding their OC spot. Montgomery does not have as much experience leading a staff at the college of NFL levels but he has been a trusted voice on the sidelines several times in his career. In place with Detroit since 2023, Montgomery has held the title of assistant head coach all three years.
The 47-year-old has worked as a position coach at several stops during his coaching career. Montgomery – who took on his current role in 2025 after two years coaching Detroit’s running backs – has also been an NCAA offensive coordinator in the past. He led Maryland’s offense for two years (2019-20) before returning to the NFL coaching ranks. After a two-year run coaching the Colts’ running backs, Montgomery joined Dan Campbell‘s staff and became a key figure. This is the first known coordinator interview in Montgomery’s case during the 2026 cycle.
Monken guided the Ravens’ offense for the past three years, taking over from Greg Roman. The unit battled inconsistency in 2025, a year in which injuries to Lamar Jackson and others were prevalent. The 2023 and ’24 campaigns saw Baltimore finish in the top four in scoring, though, so expectations will be high for the team’s new OC with Baltimore aiming to return to the postseason.
New head coach Jesse Minter has a lengthy defensive background, and improvement on that side of the ball will be targeted in 2026 and beyond. The offensive coordinator spot will be critical as a play-calling presence, however, making this search one to watch closely.
Chargers, DT Teair Tart Agree To Extension
Teair Tart will be staying in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. The veteran defensive tackle agreed to an extension on Monday, ESPN’s Kris Rhim reports. 
Tart was on track for free agency this March, but this deal ensures he will not reach the open market. According to Rhim, the sides have agreed to a three-year pact. The deal is worth a maximum of $37.5MM and includes $20MM guaranteed, a massive raise compared to Tart’s previous NFL contracts.
Over the course of his career, Tart has amassed roughly $13MM in earnings. His time with the Chargers has gone well to say the least, though, and a sizable commitment has now been made to demonstrate as much. The former UDFA spent his first four seasons in the AFC South, splitting his time between the Titans and Texans. Tart joined the Dolphins in 2024 but ended up being cut in August. That resulted in a low-cost Chargers deal.
During his first year playing under Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles, Tart handled a rotational role. He did enough to earn another one-year pact with the Bolts last offseason, with a notable bump in pay accompanying it. The FIU product secured $3.5MM guaranteed on his previous deal, one which set him up to handle a full-time starting role. Tart saw a career-high 49% snap share in 2025; he totaled 32 tackles, four pass deflections and one forced fumble along the way.
The 28-year-old was held without a sack in 2025 and has totaled just 3.5 over the course of his career. Tart will not expected to emerge as a major interior presence from a pass-rush perspective over the course of this contract, but he will be leaned on to remain an impactful contributor against the run. Los Angeles ranked eighth in that regard this season, and with Tart still in the fold expectations will be high for the team’s success to continue.
The Bolts recently lost defensive coordinator Jesse Minter when he became the new head coach of the Ravens. Tart loomed as a candidate to follow Minter to Baltimore in free agency, but given today’s news that will not be happening. The Chargers have made a number of draft investments along the defensive interior during recent years. Much of their core at that spot will remain intact, although Otto Ogbonnia‘s rookie contract is set to expire shortly. This Tart investment could point to a free agent departure in Ogbonnia’s case.
Eagles Conduct Frank Smith OC Interview; Team To Meet With Jerrod Johnson
The list of candidates for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator position has continued to grow. Two new Philadelphia targets have emerged for the role. 
The team has conducted an interview with Frank Smith for the OC gig, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Smith worked as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator during head coach Mike McDaniel‘s tenure in Miami. Jeff Hafley is now in place, though, and he elected to promote Bobby Slowik to the OC role. That move confirmed Smith will be heading elsewhere during the 2026 hiring cycle.
The Eagles have primarily focused on candidates who have called plays before at the NFL level. McDaniel was Miami’s play-caller on offense, making this interview a deviation from Philadelphia’s targets to date. Smith, 44, has experience as an offensive line coach at the college and NFL levels, and he was a tights coach with two teams from 2015-20.
Philadelphia is also set to interview Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Johnson received an interview request from the Dolphins prior to their decision to promote Slowik to OC. A hire on this front would represent a reunion. Johnson and Nick Sirianni worked together in 2020 as members of the Colts’ staff. Johnson remained in Indianapolis one more year, then worked with the Vikings for one season. Since 2023, the 37-year-old has been Houston’s QBs coach.
While Smith and Johnson are new names to watch regarding the Eagles, one OC candidate is no longer in the running. Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has withdrawn from Philadelphia’s search, Russini reports. Doyle’s first coordinator opportunity came about last winter when he joined Ben Johnson‘s staff. Johnson called plays on offense in 2025, and that will no doubt continue moving forward. Doyle received an interview request from the Eagles (the only team which reached out so far), but he will instead remain in Chicago.
In other Eagles OC news, Russini reports LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. spoke with Philadelphia about the position. Weiss has also withdrawn from consideration, electing instead to remain in place on Lane Kiffin‘s staff. No other current college staffers have received any known interest from the Eagles to date.
Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where Philadelphia’s search stands:
- Klayton Adams, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview request blocked
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Interview requested
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/20
- Declan Doyle, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interview requested; withdrew from search
- Josh Grizzard, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): To interview
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): To interview
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/17
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Matt Nagy, former offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/23
- Frank Smith, former offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Charlie Weis Jr., offensive coordinator (Ole Miss): Withdrew from search
Falcons Hire Craig Aukerman As Special Teams Coordinator
The Falcons have made another notable hire as Kevin Stefanski fills out his initial staff. Atlanta has brought in Craig Aukerman as special teams coordinator, per a team announcement. 
Over the course of his coaching career, Aukerman has primarily worked on special teams. He spent 2025 as the Dolphins’ STC, but once head coach Mike McDaniel was fired it became likely a change of scenery would be likely. Indeed, new HC Jeff Hafley hired Chris Tabor to serve as Aukerman’s replacement last week.
An NFL staffer since 2010, Aukerman has previously worked as an assistant special teams coordinator with the Jaguars and Titans. He led the way in Tennessee from 2018-23, during his second stint with the team. The 49-year-old also worked as a special teams coordinator with the Chargers in 2016 in addition to his Dolphins stint in the same capacity this past season. The Buccaneers interviewed him as part of their STC search.
Aukerman and Stefanski have never worked together, but there will be several familiar faces in Atlanta for 2026. As expected, Tommy Rees followed Stefanski from the Browns to the Falcons to serve as the team’s offensive coordinator. Bob Quinn has also made the same move. The Falcons announced Monday that Cleveland’s former senior personnel/coaching executive has been hired; Quinn’s new title will be senior advisor to the head coach.
In other staff news, the Falcons have also brought back Robert Prince as their new wide receivers coach. Prince’s lengthy coaching career saw him spend three years (2004-06) in Atlanta. He coached the team’s running backs, tight ends and quarterbacks over that time. Since then, Prince has largely operated as a WRs coach, something he did with the Dolphins in 2025. This move comes shortly after Prince interviewed with the Giants for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
While Stefanski has brought in a number of new staffers, there will be a degree of continuity as well. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was retained earlier this month, and several position coaches will also remain in place. The Falcons announced on Monday that defensive line coach Nate Ollie, secondary coach Justin Hood and tight ends coach Kevin Koger are each staying with the team for 2026.
Grant Udinski Withdraws From Browns’ HC Search, Reaches New Jags OC Agreement
Another candidate has taken himself out of contention for the Browns‘ ongoing head coaching search. Grant Udinski is no longer in the running to be hired by Cleveland. 
Udinksi has withdrawn from the Browns’ search, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Notably, he adds Udinski and the Jaguars have reached a new agreement; a pay raise has been worked out, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer adds. 2025 marked the first season for Udinski in Jacksonville, with him serving as the team’s offensive coordinator.
That position did not include play-calling duties, a responsibility head coach Liam Coen handled. Nevertheless, it represented another move up the ladder in Udinksi’s coaching career. The 30-year-old has only been an NFL staffer since 2020, spending two years with the Panthers and then three in Minnesota. Udinksi’s stock rose sharply during his Minnesota tenure, and it came as little surprise when he landed a coordinator opportunity last winter.
Jacksonville ranked sixth in scoring this season en route to a division title. Coen was of course a key figure in that success, but Udinkski helped his HC candidacy as well. A first opportunity to lead an NFL staff could still be coming. Per Garafolo, the Jags will allow Udinski to continue pursuing the Bills‘ HC opening. If a Buffalo hire does not take place, though, Jacksonville will have stability on the sidelines in 2026.
Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter have also withdrawn from consideration in Cleveland’s case. McDaniel has an agreement in place with the Chargers to become their offensive coordinator, although he is not entirely out of the running for a head coaching gig at this point. Minter, meanwhile, was hired by the Ravens as their new HC last week. Udinski’s future is unclear at this point, but he will not be heading to Cleveland despite interviewing twice with the team.
The Browns have an internal candidate in the form of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Cleveland has also met with Todd Monken and Anthony Lynn in person. The Browns could arrange interviews with one or both of Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula now that the Rams’ season has ended. Given today’s news, it is increasingly clear a member of that group will emerge as the Browns’ eventual hire.