Doug Pederson Drawing OC Interest
By the time Doug Pederson‘s Jaguars tenure came to an end after the regular season concluded, no one around the league was surprised. Another head coaching opportunity is not on the horizon at this point, but Pederson is still a name to watch during the waning stages of the hiring cycle. 
The former Eagles Super Bowl winner is drawing interest as a potential offensive coordinator, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He adds that it remains to be seen at this point if that feeling will wind up being mutual. Pederson was out of coaching in 2021 prior to taking the Jaguars’ HC gig, so he could opt to once again take a break before re-entering the coaching market.
The 57-year-old spent four years as a high school head coach before receiving his first NFL opportunity with the Eagles in 2009. Pederson worked his way up to quarterbacks coach before following Andy Reid to Kansas City as the Chiefs’ OC. That three-year spell was followed by a return to the Eagles as their head coach from 2016-20.
Pederson amassed a record of 42-31-1 in Philadelphia. His three winning campaigns with the Eagles and Super Bowl pedigree led to high expectations upon arrival in Jacksonville. During his first season in Duval County, the Jags managed a 9-8 record and a wild-card victory. Continued development from quarterback Trevor Lawrence and an elevation to the status of AFC contender was seen as feasible as a result.
Instead, much of the past two seasons did not go according to plan for Pederson’s team. Missed time from Lawrence was one of the factors influencing underwhelming showings on offense, while major changes to the coaching staff on the other side of the ball last offseason did not produce the desired effect. Amidst reported clashes with then-general manager Trent Baalke and a 2-9 start to the campaign, a bye week firing appeared to be on the table in 2024. Pederson survived the rest of the season, but he was dismissed on Black Monday.
The Jags have since (in rather unorthodox fashion) hired Liam Coen as their new head coach, and while their offensive coordinator position is unfilled, Pederson is obviously not a candidate. Several other OC vacancies are in place around the league, though, and he could have options if he elects to interview for one or more of them in the near future. It will be interesting to see if he does so or decides to wait for 2026 to continue his career.
Matt Capurro To Depart Seahawks, Rejoin Raiders
Pete Carroll‘s first Raiders staff is taking shape. To no surprise, a familiar face will be joining him in Vegas for 2025.
[RELATED: Carroll, GM John Spytek To Share Authority With Raiders]
VP of coaching operations Matt Capurro is departing the Seahawks to join Carroll and the Raiders, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. He has a history with Caroll dating back to their time spent together at USC and, later, Seattle. His Seahawks tenure reached its 15th season in 2024, so his absence will be notable.
Capurro’s tenure in the NFL also includes time with Al Davis and the Raiders. He was in Oakland from 2003-08, so he will be no stranger to Carroll or the organization. It will be interesting to see what kind of role Capurro takes on in Vegas, but for the past three years in Seattle he oversaw a number of day-to-day operations as a key figure on the team’s coaching staff. It would come as no surprise if he found himself in a similar capacity with the Raiders.
Carroll took a three-year deal to return to an NFL sideline; the team has an option for a fourth season. The strength of the AFC West has tempered expectations for the Raiders regarding their 2025 outlook, but a notable quarterback addition this offseason could of course change things. Patrick Graham will remain in place for a fourth season as defensive coordinator, while former Carroll colleague Darrell Bevell is the favorite to land the Raiders’ OC gig. Tom Cable could be in line for a Carroll reunion (and third stint with the organization), so plenty of familiar faces could be in place once next season begins.
In other Vegas coaching news, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports John Glenn is being hired as linebackers coach. Glenn served in that capacity for six years under Carroll with the Seahawks before working as an assistant special teams coach with the Commanders in 2024. He will now head to Vegas as Carroll continues to assemble his initial Raiders staff with coaches he has a history with.
Nick Caley Turned Aside Jets’ OC Interest; Tanner Engstrand Still Frontrunner
Aaron Glenn moved quickly in finding a defensive coordinator for his first Jets staff. On the offensive side of the ball, further clarity has emerged regarding the two top candidates. 
SNY’s Connor Hughes reports Nick Caley was New York’s top choice for the OC gig. The in-demand Rams tight ends coach was not interested in joining the Jets, he adds. Caley – who also took on the role of pass-game coordinator this season, his second in Los Angeles – was among the names to watch regarding offensive coordinator options once it became clear Glenn was on track to land the Jets’ head coaching position.
A subsequent report confirmed the 42-year-old was New York’s No. 1 candidate for the position. In spite of that, Caley has elected to turn his attention elsewhere. The Jets face uncertainty over Aaron Rodgers‘ future and therefore their outlook at the quarterback position, making their opening one which can be seen as less attractive than others around the league. Caley has interviewed with the Texans and Buccaneers for their OC positions, and he will likely remain in the running on at least one of those fronts as the coordinator landscape takes shape in the coming days.
With their top option off the market, Hughes adds that Tanner Engstrand remains the Jets’ likely hire for offensive coordinator. Earlier this week, it was reported a confidence exists around the league for the Lions’ pass-game coordinator to follow Glenn to New York, so today’s update comes as no surprise. Engstrand, 42, arrived in Detroit in 2020, and spent the past four years working alongside Glenn under head coach Dan Campbell. An internal promotion was considered by the Lions after Ben Johnson‘s departure, leaving Engstrand as a candidate to remain in the Motor City for 2025.
Instead, the Lions went with John Morton as their new OC, leaving Engstrand’s future in the air. The latter could of course remain in his current position for 2025, but joining the Jets would allow him to handle coordinator duties in the NFL for the first time in his career. No other team has shown interest in Engstrand to date, but it would come as no surprise if an in-person Jets interview were to be arranged in the near future with a hire following shortly therafter.
With the Jets’ search potentially entering its final stage, here is an updated look at where it stands:
- Mark Brunell, quarterbacks coach (Lions): Mentioned as candidate
- Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): Turned down interest
- Tanner Engstrand, pass-game coordinator (Lions): Frontrunner
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Team to pursue interview
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Mentioned as candidate; hired by Seahawks
- Scott Turner, interim offensive coordinator (Raiders): Mentioned as candidate
Jets Hire Steve Wilks As DC
The first major Jets hire of the Aaron Glenn era is set to be made. The team’s next defensive coordinator will be the staffer long seen as the top candidate for the position. 
Steve Wilks is finalizing a deal to take over New York’s defense, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. He had an interview lined up for today, so that meeting has obviously gone well. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds a contract will be signed tomorrow. This will mark a return to coaching after Wilks was out of the league in 2024.
Once the Glenn hire was made, Wilks was named as a strong contender to become his defensive coordinator. The latter has worked as a DC three separate times in the NFL, also holding that role on three occasions in the college ranks. An interview also took place with Chris Harris, but Glenn and Co. have elected to go with their top choice for 2025. Multiple reports from yesterday noted this was the team’s expected route.
Wilks first coached in the NFL in 2005, and his stock steadily rose with respect to his head coaching candidacy. His first – and to date, only – full-time opportunity in that department came in 2018 with the Cardinals. After his one-and-done campaign in Arizona, Wilks worked as the Browns’ D-coordinator before a one-year DC stint at Missouri. He returned to the pro ranks on Carolina’s staff.
The Panthers fired Frank Reich midway through his first season as head coach in 2022, and Wilks took over on an interim basis. He received support from the players to receive the gig full time, but Carolina ultimately hired Dave Canales. That left Wilks on the move, and he took charge of the 49ers’ defense for their latest Super Bowl run. After losing the title game (and reportedly clashing with head coach Kyle Shanahan along the way), though, Wilks was fired.
Now, the Jets will bring him onboard in an effort to replicate the success seen for much of Jeff Ulbrich‘s time at the helm of their defense. After Robert Saleh‘s midseason firing, Ulbrich took over as interim HC but posted a 3-9 record. While he interviewed for the full-time gig, Glenn was long seen as a preferred candidate for this year’s hiring cycle. The latter called plays during his time with the Lions, but that will not be the case in New York.
As a result, the Jets’ defensive coordinator hire loomed as a key one for Glenn to make regarding his first year as a head coach. Wilks represents a highly experienced addition to his staff, and expectations will be high for his debut campaign in New York. The Jets finished third or fourth in total defense for each of the past three seasons, and remaining strong on that side of the ball will be an obvious goal moving forward. If Wilks can help the team attain it, his stock will likely receive a boost.
Matthew Stafford Plans To Play In 2025
It has not taken long for Matthew Stafford‘s immediate future to become settled. The Rams are set to have their starting quarterback in place once again for 2025. 
Stafford has informed the team of his intention of playing next season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link). His age-37 season will be his fifth in Los Angeles, and expectations will remain high given his level of play when healthy for the Rams. Stafford declined to confirm in the wake of the Rams’ divisional round loss whether or not he would continue his career, although his comments hinted that would be the case.
Shortly thereafter, head coach Sean McVay said the team was hoping to learn of the two-time Pro Bowler’s intentions sooner rather than later. That question has seemingly been put to rest, although Rapoport notes another round of contract adjustments may be in order this offseason. The sides worked out a restructure agreement just ahead of training camp last summer, and Stafford’s 2024 pay was increased as a result.
The terms of that arrangement currently has him on track for only a $4MM roster bonus in terms of locked in compensation (before the start of the regular season, that is) for 2025. Stafford is also set to carry a cap hit of nearly $50MM next season, and an extension or new re-working of his pact could help lower that figure. It will be interesting to see if negotiations can progress on a quicker timeline compared to last year.
While McVay is on the record with allowing Stafford to remain with the Rams as long he wishes to continue his career, the possibility of a trade was floated over the weekend. Moving on from the veteran after June 1 would generate $27MM in cap savings (along with almost $23MM in dead money) for Los Angeles, but it would of course create a major vacancy at the QB spot. No successor is currently in place with Jimmy Garoppolo set to hit free agency and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett yet to play a regular season snap.
The Rams are comfortable with proceeding on a year-to-year basis with Stafford, so his future will remain a talking point as long as his career lasts. For now, though, he is on track to suit up for 2025 as the team aims to make another playoff run next season.
Raiders Retain Patrick Graham As DC
After looking into a few outside candidates, the Raiders are in position to maintain the status quo at the defensive coordinator spot. Pete Carroll is set to have continuity on that side of the ball for 2025.
Patrick Graham is working out a deal with the team which will see him remain in his role as DC, Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports. The door has remained open to such a possibility in the wake of Carroll’s hire, and as long as an agreement can be reached, that will prove to be the case. Vic Tafur of the The Athletic confirms this situation is trending in the direction of continuity. A deal has now been worked out, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Graham’s previous contract expired, but he has a new one in hand.
Graham has been with Vegas for the past three seasons, having served as a coordinator in the NFL each year dating back to 2019. The 46-year-old was naturally seen as a replacement candidate once Carroll was brought in, given the fact teams often undergo mass changes on the sidelines in the wake of a head coaching hire. A report from yesterday noted, however, that Graham and Carroll would meet to discuss working together in 2025.
It appears that effort will produce an arrangement allowing Graham to carry on with the Raiders. The former Dolphins and Giants DC interviewed twice with the Jaguars for their head coaching vacancy. Jacksonville ultimately hired Liam Coen, and in the wake of that move Graham emerged as a prime candidate for the team’s D-coordinator position. Instead, the Jags will need to look elsewhere.
The Raiders ranked 26th in the NFL in scoring defense during Graham’s first year at the helm, but the unit made a jump to ninth in that department in 2023. Expectations were high for this past campaign as a result, but injuries along the edge in particular helped lead to a regression. Despite overseeing a unit which fell back to 25th in points allowed, Graham is set to receive an extended look.
Vegas requested one external interview (Karl Scott) with respect to potential outside replacement candidates, while also speaking with defensive line coach Rob Leonard. It will be interesting to see what happens in the latter’s case with what was a perceived vacancy now set to remain filled. In any case, the Raiders will have defensive consistency on the sidelines in 2025 provided Graham and the team can come to terms on a new arrangement.
Jaguars Conduct OC Interview With Commanders’ Tavita Pritchard
The Jaguars’ list of offensive coordinator candidates is beginning to take shape. Jacksonville’s second interview for the position has now taken place.
[RELATED: Jaguars Interested In Chip Kelly?]
Tavita Pritchard met with new head coach Liam Coen and Co. on Wednesday, per a team announcement. This marks the first coordinator gig the Commanders’ quarterbacks coach has been linked to this offseason. It comes as little surprise his work from 2024 has generated attention, however.
Pritchard was a quarterback at Stanford from 2006-09, and immediately after his playing career ended he transitioned to coaching at his alma mater. The 37-year-old remained with the program though 2022, holding a number of roles along the way. That included a five-year run as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The first NFL opportunity of Pritchard’s career came with the Commanders in 2023. He has been the team’s QBs coach since then, something which of course resulted in him having a key role on the staff which oversaw Jayden Daniels‘ debut season. The Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite enjoyed a stellar campaign in 2024, something which put offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury back on the head coaching radar.
The former Cardinals HC will remain in the nation’s capital for 2025, but departures elsewhere on the Commanders’ staff could still take place given the team’s surprise run to the NFC title game this season. That could include Pritchard getting an OC opportunity in spite of his thin NFL resume. He and Coen have not worked together before.
Early today, it was learned the first Jaguars interviewee for the coordinator spot was Rams pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase. Coen will call plays in 2025, but his first OC hire will nevertheless be an important one as he fills out his staff in the near future. It will be interesting to see how many other candidates emerge for the posting over the coming days.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/29/25
Only one reserve/futures deal was signed on Wednesday:
Buffalo Bills
Bears To Hire Press Taylor
Press Taylor‘s time as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator is over with Liam Coen in the process of building his first Jacksonville staff. Taylor has not needed to wait long to find his next opportunity, however. 
The ex-Jags OC is being hired by the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Taylor will take on the role of pass-game coordinator while working under Ben Johnson. The Bears recently added Declan Doyle as their offensive coordinator, a role he has not previously held in the NFL.
Taylor, by contrast, worked in that capacity during his time in Jacksonville. Hired as an initial member of Doug Pederson‘s staff, the 37-year-old called plays for the team in 2023 and continued in that capacity for this past campaign. Things did not go according to plan either time, something which caught the attention of former general manager Trent Baalke.
A November report noted Baalke’s preference for this past offseason would have been for Pederson to fire Taylor and bring in a new OC. That did not happen, and a dismal campaign ended with Pederson and (eventually) Baalke being dismissed. Now, as Coen weighs his options, Taylor will once again find himself on the move.
The latter has been in the NFL since 2013, having spent his first eight years on the sidelines with the Eagles. The final three years of that stretch included the role of quarterbacks coach, and in 2020 Taylor also served as Philadelphia’s pass-game coordinator. He has experience in such a position, one which he will handle in 2025 for the Bears.
Providing quarterback Caleb Williams with stability in Year 2 and beyond will be critical for Chicago. Johnson, to no surprise, will call plays during his first campaign as a head coach, but the success he, Doyle and Taylor have in overseeing the development of last April’s No. 1 pick will go a long way in determining the Bears’ success. A strong run in the Windy City could also help rebuild Taylor’s stock around the league with respect to future OC opportunities.
Texans To Interview Bill Lazor For OC
In the wake of their decision to fire Bobby Slowik, the Texans have been linked to several offensive coordinator candidates. Three of them are within the organization, with one internal option already conducting an interview.
That list is set to grow to two. Senior offensive assistant Bill Lazor has a meeting lined up with the Texans for the offensive coordinator spot, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. This interview will take place tomorrow, he adds.
Lazor’s coaching experience dates back to 1994, and it includes OC stints at both the college and NFL levels. His most recent opportunity on that front came with the Bears (2020-21), something which was followed by a one-year absence from the sidelines in any capacity. Lazor joined DeMeco Ryans‘ first Texans staff and he has held his current role for the past two years as a result.
The 52-year-old has worked as a coordinator three times in the NFL, but his Dolphins, Bengals and Bears stints each lasted only two seasons. Houston will no doubt be looking for a greater degree of stability at the OC spot, especially after moving on from Slowik following his own two-year run. The Texans regressed on offense (something which was caused at least to an extent by injuries along the offensive line and at the receiver position) in 2024, but a bounce-back would be welcomed as part of the team’s efforts to make a deeper run in the AFC playoffs next season.
Lazor was quickly named as a potential Slowik replacement in the wake of the OC change being made, so it comes as no surprise an interview will take place. He and QBs coach Jerrod Johnson are joined by Ben McDaniels as internal options to take over from Slowik. After Ryans tapped a familiar face (dating back to their shared time with the 49ers) for his first OC hire, it will be interesting to see if he does the same this time around.
Via PFR’s coordinator tracker, here is an updated look at the Texans’ search:
- Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): To interview 1/30
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Interviewed 1/27
- Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (Ohio State): Team has interest
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Mentioned as candidate; hired by Seahawks
- Bill Lazor, senior offensive assistant (Texans): To interview 1/30
- Thad Lewis, quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/28
- Ben McDaniels, wide receivers coach/pass-game coordinator (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Nixon, offensive coordinator (Syracuse): Interviewed 1/27