Jaguars Conduct DC Interview With Rams’ Aubrey Pleasant
The list of candidates for the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator position continues to grow. A third interview for the position has now taken place. 
Jacksonville announced on Tuesday that the team met with Aubrey Pleasant for the DC gig. Pleasant has spent the past two years with the Rams as part of his second stint with the team. He has not served as a defensive coordinator before, but taking the Jacksonville job would deal a blow to Los Angeles’ staff.
Pleasant – who has been in the NFL since 2013 – held the title of defensive backs coach/pass-game coordinator upon reuniting with Sean McVay in 2023. This past season, he was promoted to assistant head coach while remaining a key figure on defense. Given how highly regarded Pleasant is by the Rams (along with his experience as a positional coach), it comes as little surprise he is on Jacksonville’s radar.
That is, of course, especially true with Liam Coen at the helm of the Jags. His first Rams stint (2018-20) overlapped with Pleasant’s, so the two are familiar with one another. The Bears requested to speak with Pleasant for their defensive coordinator position, but he did not wind up doing so. As a result, this is his first interview in the 2025 hiring cycle.
Jacksonville’s defense underperformed in a number of categories in 2024, the first with Ryan Nielsen at the helm. The former Saints and Falcons coordinator has yet to find his next gig, but it will not be in Duval County for 2025. Not long after it was learned Coen would take charge of the team, Patrick Graham‘s name emerged as one to watch closely regarding the DC position. He has since interviewed with Jacksonville, as has Vikings staffer Daronte Jones. It will be interesting to see how many other candidate emerge as this search unfolds.
Lions Hire John Morton As OC
JANUARY 28: The Morton hire is now official, as first noted by Rapoport and Pelissero. The Broncos’ staff has seen another notable departure while the Lions will look to an outside figure to duplicate Johnson’s success on offense.
JANUARY 27: The Lions moved quickly in internally filling their defensive coordinator position. The OC vacancy is likewise soon to be taken care of, with the team looking to a familiar candidate.
Broncos pass-game coordinator John Morton is traveling to Detroit today, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Lions are working to finalize his hire for the offensive coordinator role. Provided this goes through, it will mark Morton’s second coordinator gig in the NFL and allow him to return to Detroit. He and Dan Campbell worked together in 2022.
Morton recently interviewed for the Lions’ OC gig, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. As a result, he became a name to watch closely on this front. Indeed, Schefter said on a Monday Pat McAfee Show appearance that the 55-year-old was likely to get the nod (video link). Provided everything goes according to plan upon arrival in the Motor City, that will prove to be the case.
After a playing career that spanned the NFL, CFL and World League of American Football, Morton transitioned to coaching in 1998. His first opportunity came with the Raiders, and he remained with the team for seven years. That stretch was followed by time with the Chargers, Saints (twice) and 49ers with a spell at USC in between. Morton’s first OC position in the pro game came in 2017 with the Jets. After a poor showing in his debut New York campaign, he was fired.
Morton then returned to the Raiders and spent time with them as a senior offensive assistant; he held that same role during his one campaign working with Campbell and the Lions. For the past two years, he worked with Sean Payton on the Broncos’ staff, overseeing the transition to a Bo Nix-led offense this past campaign. Denver’s success on that front did not generate coordinator interest from other teams, but it has now allowed him to receive a second OC opportunity at the NFL level.
Expectations will certainly be high for Morton in 2025. Ben Johnson oversaw Detroit’s offense for each of the past three years, and the unit ranked top-five in points and yards every campaign during that span. Once again, Johnson found himself as one of the hottest head coaching candidates in this year’s hiring cycle, one in which Campbell conceded a departure was more likely than before. Indeed, Johnson landed his first HC gig by taking charge of the Bears.
Much of the Lions’ offensive core will remain intact this offseason, with the likes of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker and David Montgomery attached to extensions. Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams are on their rookie deals, meanwhile, so a high degree of continuity can be expected for next year. Given the changes on the sidelines, however, Detroit’s ability to remain among the league’s best on offense will be a talking point under Morton.
Cowboys To Hire Nick Sorensen As ST Coordinator
The Cowboys have their new head coach in place, and their coordinator vacancies are filling up in short order. Matt Eberflus remains on track to take over Dallas’ defense, while a new special teams hire is on tap. 
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Cowboys are finalizing a deal with Eberflus to take on DC responsibilities as expected. He adds that Nick Sorensen is also nearing a deal to become the team’s new ST coordinator. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network was the first to report the latter hire was expected.
Sorensen had a 10-year playing career in the NFL and he quickly transitioned to coaching after it ended in 2010. He had an eight-year tenure with the Seahawks as an assistant special teams staffer and, later a defensive backs coach. His third phase experience landed him the Jaguars’ special teams coordinator gig in 2021, although that only lasted one season. Sorensen was not retained when Jacksonville hired Doug Pederson, and he moved on to San Francisco as a result.
The 46-year-old joined the 49ers’ staff as a defensive assistant in 2022, but he took on larger responsibilities the following season. After Steve Wilks became a one-and-done DC, Kyle Shanahan elected to go internal with his next hire. Sorensen took charge of the team’s defense for 2024, although his unit did not meet expectations as part of a generally forgettable campaign. Shanahan gave him something of a vote of confidence toward the end of the season, but in short order it became clear he would not retain his D-coordinator duties for 2025.
The door remained open at that point to Sorensen taking over San Francisco’s special teams, but it was announced yesterday that Brant Boyer will be doing so. Instead of taking a lesser role somewhere on Shanahan’s staff, Sorensen was left in need of a new opportunity. It has presented itself rather quickly.
John Fassel had been in place with the Cowboys since 2020. His tenure running Dallas’ special teams represented an improvement from where the unit had been previously, but Fassel recently joined the Titans as their ST coordinator. To replace him, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has brought in a familiar face since he and Sorensen worked together in Jacksonville as well as Seattle. Now, attention will turn to the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator vacancy.
Raiders To Interview Rob Leonard For DC
The Raiders are in position to move on from Patrick Graham after he worked as the team’s defensive coordinator for the past three years. New head coach Pete Carroll has not dismissed Graham, but he is looking into alternative DC options.
At least one of those will be an internal candidate. Vegas will interview defensive line coach Rob Leonard for the coordinator position, as noted by Tashan Reed of The Athletic. Leonard is now the second staffer connected to the gig.
For the first three seasons of his coaching career, Leonard worked at his alma mater (North Carolina State). He has been in the NFL since 2013, with his first pro opportunity coming from the Giants. Leonard worked as a position coach during his six-year New York tenure, one which was followed by time with the Dolphins and Ravens. A veteran of multiple roles coaching players along the defensive front, he has been in place with the Raiders for the past two seasons.
Vegas was hit hard up front by injuries in 2024. Malcolm Koonce faced high expectations entering the campaign, but a knee injury left him sidelined for the entire season. Fellow edge rusher Maxx Crosby was limited to 12 games due to an ankle injury, meanwhile, something which left the Raiders particularly shorthanded to close out the campaign. The team took a step back in terms of sacks recorded this year, but in 2023 Leonard’s unit demonstrated potential in that department.
It is already known that Seahawks pass-game coordinator Karl Scott has received an interview request. Scott is the last remaining Seattle staffer with ties to Carroll, so it comes as no surprise a reunion will be considered. It will be interesting to see if any other in-house options receive a look in addition to Leonard as the Raiders (presumably) expand their search over the coming days.
Jaguars To Conduct DC Interview With Daronte Jones
Liam Coen is officially in place as the Jaguars’ head coach. Attention for the team will now turn to filling out the staff, particularly the coordinator positions. 
On the defensive side of the ball, the first candidate (in terms of ones set to speak with the team) has emerged. Jacksonville will interview Daronte Jones for the DC position, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Jones has spent the past three years with the Vikings, serving as their pass game coordinator since 2023.
The 46-year-old’s playing career came to an abrupt end due to injury during his time in college, but he quickly transitioned to coaching. Jones spent time at the high school, CFL and college levels for several years before his first NFL opportunity came with the Dolphins in 2016. Since that time, he has also worked as a positional coach with the Bengals and Vikings.
In between, Jones spent the 2021 season as LSU’s defensive coordinator. While a move to the DC level in the NFL would be unprecedented, he does have some experience in that role. Still, it would come as little surprise if Coen preferred a veteran presence on the sidelines given his status as a rookie head coach with an offensive background.
To that end, it is notable a report from the weekend named Patrick Graham as a top candidate for the Jags’ DC posting. The 46-year-old has been at the helm of the Raiders’ defense for the past three seasons, and he has also worked at the coordinator level with the Giants and Dolphins. That experience stands in stark contrast to that of Jones, but the fact the latter has a meeting lined up means he is likely to receive at least some consideration from Coen and Co.
Texans To Conduct OC Interview With Jerrod Johnson; Jets Also Interested
For each of the past two seasons, the Texans have advanced to the divisional round of the postseason. In spite of that success, the team made a coordinator change by firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
In the wake of that decision, a shortlist of replacement candidates emerged. One of those was quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, so to no surprise he is set to speak with the Texans for the coordinator gig. Houston will interview him this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.
Johnson has a relationship with quarterback C.J. Stroud dating back to 2019. Last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year has been complimentary of Johnson during his time with the Texans, and it would be sensible to allow the two to continue working together. Their dynamic would of course change in the event Johnson were to be promoted to OC, but it is a possibility to watch for.
The Texans are not alone in being interested for Johnson, though. Wilson adds the Jets are “expected to pursue an interview” with the 36-year-old. Aaron Glenn is in place as New York’s head coach, but he has yet to fill the offensive or defensive coordinator spots. A list of Jets OC candidates is already in place, but plenty of time remains for it to grow to include Johnson.
A former undrafted free agent, Johnson’s playing career saw him spend time in the NFL, CFL and UFL from 2011-16. His coaching tenure started in 2017, and after a one-year stint with the 49ers he spent three seasons on the Colts’ staff. Johnson worked as an offensive quality control coach there before moving on to the Vikings as their assistant QBs coach. A member of DeMeco Ryans’ initial Texans staff, Johnson has held his current title since 2023.
Via PFR’s OC/DC Tracker, here is an updated look at the Texans’ ongoing coordinator search:
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): To interview
- Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (Ohio State): Team has interest
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Mentioned as candidate
- Bill Lazor, senior offensive assistant (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
- Ben McDaniels, wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
49ers Hire Brant Boyer As ST Coordinator
Brant Boyer has found his next NFL opportunity. The veteran coach is set to take charge of the 49ers’ special teams in 2025. 
San Francisco announced Boyer’s hire on Monday. The 53-year-old had spent the past nine years as the Jets’ special teams coordinator, overseeing a unit which has seen a wide range of performances. He recently interviewed with the 49ers, as noted by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
New York saw Boyer’s unit deliver performances as low as 30th in the NFL in EPA on special teams but also as high as first (h/t ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). The 49ers have long struggled to find third phase consistency, and that will be the goal moving forward as Boyer replaces Brian Schneider. Notably, Maiocco’s report adds that Nick Sorensen is not expected to remain with the team.
Sorensen worked as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2024 after taking over from Steve Wilks. Head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to look internally after Wilks’ one-and-done campaign. It became clear after the season that Sorensen would not remain as the 49ers’ DC, but at that point the possibility remained he could stay on in another role. Especially with the ST coordinator position now filled, it appears he will need to look elsewhere for his next gig.
After briefly working with the Browns and Giants, Boyer served as an assistant special teams coach for the Colts. From 2012-15, he played a key role in Indianapolis’ third phase success, leading to his first coordinator opportunity. It will be interesting to see how his second plays out.
Raiders Request DC Interview With Karl Scott; Bo Hardegree, David Shaw On Radar?
Pete Carroll is set to return to the NFL coaching ranks with the Raiders. As the 73-year-old prepares to fill out his staff, a number of names worth monitoring have emerged. 
Karl Scott was floated as a potential defensive coordinator candidate once the news of Carroll’s Vegas hire emerged. Scott serves as the Seahawks’ defensive passing game coordinator and he represents the last holdover from Carroll’s Seattle staffs. To no surprise, then, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports Scott has received a DC interview request from the Raiders.
Vegas has had Patrick Graham in place as defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, but with a new staff incoming it would come as no surprise if he were to depart in the near future. The 46-year-old is believed to be a leading candidate for the Jaguars’ DC gig, so he may have his next opportunity lined up soon. In any case, it will be interesting to see if Scott receives strong consideration to reunite with Carroll in Vegas.
The 39-year-old began his coaching career in 2007, making a number of stops at the college level. Scott spent three seasons working under Nick Saban at Alabama as the team’s defensive backs coach before receiving his first look in the NFL. The Vikings hired him to be their DBs coach for 2021, and he has held that same role with the Seahawks since 2022.
Making the jump to defensive coordinator would be a first for Scott, but given his familiarity with Carroll the Raiders’ gig could be a suitable one. Vegas finished ninth in points allowed in 2023, but this past season – one in which injuries along the edge in particular hindered the team – saw a regression to 25th in that department. Whether Scott or another candidate is hired, guiding that unit to a rebound will be a clear goal next season.
With respect to the offensive coordinator position, a separate Jones report notes Bo Hardegree is a name to watch. The Titans’ quarterbacks coach previously held that title with the Raiders; in 2023, he served as Vegas’ interim OC. A return to Sin City could be in order, especially since Hardegree (who interviewed with the Bears before they made their offensive coordinator hire) is still on the market.
Jones also writes that David Shaw could be on the Raiders’ radar. The longitme Stanford head coach has drawn HC interest around the NFL in recent years, and in 2024 he worked with the Broncos as a senior personnel executive. Shaw, 52, was also on the Bears’ interview list for their offensive coordinator gig. He, along with Scott and Hardegree, will be worth watching closely as Carroll weighs his staffing options.
Patriots To Hire Thomas Brown, Doug Marrone
Mike Vrabel continues to build his Patriots staff, and a pair of interesting names have emerged on Monday as that process continues. Thomas Brown is the latest coach to head to New England. 
Brown is being brought in, Mark Daniels of MassLive reports. He held three different titles during his time with the Bears this past season, including of course interim offensive coordinator and later interim head coach. It was already known he would not return to Chicago, but he has not needed to wait long to find his next opportunity.
Daniels’ report did not specify what Brown’s role will be in New England, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Network clarifies he will work as the Patriots’ tight ends coach and passing game coordinator. That is roughly in line with where Brown stood with the Bears at the start of the 2024 campaign, one in which Shane Waldron was fired midseason. Brown took over as Chicago’s play-caller, eventually earning another promotion when head coach Matt Eberflus was dismissed.
That left the 38-year-old in an interesting position at the onset of the hiring cycle. Brown interviewed with the Bears for the full-time HC gig, but as expected the team made a strong (and successful) push to hire Ben Johnson away from the Lions. Considering Brown met with the Patriots for their offensive coordinator position, though, this news comes as little surprise.
Vrabel and the Patriots reunited with Josh McDaniels to serve (once again) as offensive coordinator for 2025. Brown will have a role on the new-look staff, working closely with a tight ends room led by Hunter Henry. The veteran set a new career high in catches and yards in 2024, and he will be counted on to remain a key contributor on offense moving forward. It will be interesting to see how Brown fares in rebuilding his stock over the course of his Patriots tenure.
Prior to the news of Brown’s hire on Monday, it was learned Doug Marrone will be joining the Patriots’ staff as well. ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes Marrone’s title is uncertain at this point, but his experience working on the offensive line suggests he could be heavily involved with a unit in need of significantly improved play moving forward. Marrone’s NFL coaching career has included seven years as a head coach (five in Jacksonville, two in Buffalo) as well as an offensive coordinator stint in New Orleans. McDaniels will certainly have a veteran presence on his latest Patriots staff.
Marrone spent the 2024 campaign at Boston College working as a senior analyst for football strategy, so a role along those lines could also be in play. In any event, his addition – along with that of Brown – adds to the number of notable staffers in place under Vrabel for 2025.
Cowboys Request OC Interview With Kevin Koger, DC Interview With Ryan Crow
Brian Schottenheimer was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Cowboys last week. The process of finding his OC is underway. 
Dallas has requested an interview with Kevin Koger, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Koger worked as the Falcons’ tight ends coach in 2024, his sixth season in the NFL. Prior to his Atlanta tenure, he held the title of offensive quality control coach with the Packers in 2019 and ’20.
That period was followed by three years as the Chargers’ TE coach, so Koger has experience as a positional staffer. The 35-year-old has never worked as a coordinator at the NFL level, nor as an OC dating back to his time on the sidelines in the college game. He has drawn interest in the past, though, meeting with the Broncos and Packers in 2022 as well as the Browns during this year’s hiring cycle.
On the other side of the ball, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Cowboys have submitted an interview request for Ryan Crow. After working under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, Crow was fired following the 2023 season. He took on the outside linebackers gig with the Dolphins for 2024, and his work in that role has garnered attention. Crow interviewed with Vrabel and the Patriots last week, and now he is set to speak with the Cowboys for their coordinator vacancy.
With that said, former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is seen as the frontrunner for Dallas’ DC posting. The latest update on that front confirmed Eberflus remains the name to watch, although the Cowboys have also interviewed Bears safeties coach Andre Curtis. A colleague of Eberflus’ given their time together in Chicago, Curtis could land a role of some kind in Dallas provided the Eberflus hire goes through. In the meantime, Dallas will continue adding to the list of outside candidates.
The Cowboys are also on the lookout for a new special teams coordinator, and a pair of known interviews have taken place for that role. Broncos assistant ST coordinator Chris Banjo has met with Dallas, per Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo. A candidate to be promoted to the role in Denver, Banjo has also drawn interest around the league. In addition, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Bears assistant special teams coordinator Carlos Polk has received a look. Especially if Eberflus lands the DC gig, it would come as no surprise if a familiar face in the form of Polk – who has been in his current position since 2022 – were to be brought in. In any event, Dallas will remain a team to watch closely as the coordinator landscape becomes clearer over the coming days.