Coaching Notes: Chiefs, Lions, Udinski, Leonhard, Idzik, Brown, Bears, Pitcher, Scheelhaase, Godsey
Matt Nagy looms as one of the top head coaching candidates with an offensive background in this year’s hiring cycle. A departure for a second HC opportunity (or at least a play-calling offensive coordinator role) is something to watch for over the coming days.
In the event Nagy were to head elsewhere, the Chiefs would find themselves in need of an OC replacement. The team could look to familiar options in such a scenario. Kansas City would “welcome back” Mike Kafka or Eric Bieniemy, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report.
Bieniemy, 56, worked under Andy Reid from 2013-22. That span included five years in the offensive coordinator role. Bieniemy led Washington’s offense for one season before doing the same at UCLA. He is currently serving as the Bears‘ running backs coach. Kafka, meanwhile, was with the Chiefs for five years, operating as quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator along the way. As the interim head coach of the Giants, the 38-year-old’s future is currently unclear.
With Black Monday approaching, here are some other coaching notes from around the NFL:
- Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently hinted at staffing changes. It would comes as little surprise if OC John Morton were to be among those let go, seeing as he was stripped of play-calling duties midway through the campaign. Morton said (via Rapoport and Pelissero) “I’d like to be here” when asked about the possibility of remaining in Detroit. Taking on a lesser role for next season could thus be something to watch for as Campbell looks into his coordinator options.
- Overall, the pool of head coaching candidates for 2026 is not seen as being as strong as last year. A large number of firings over the next few days may not be forthcoming as a result. On the other hand, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes (subscription required) this winter could be busier than usual in terms of coordinator changes. Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, Broncos secondary coach Jim Leonhard, Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and Patriots pass-game coordinator Thomas Brown are among the staffers she identifies among those who have drawn strong reviews for their work this season.
- Ben Johnson has impressed during his debut season in Chicago. He could be in line to lose a number of key assistants soon, however. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports names Bieniemy as a candidate to depart this winter with his stock having received a boost. In addition, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, pass-game coordinator Press Taylor and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett have each generated buzz regarding interest around the league. Johnson may have multiple vacancies to fill in the near future in the wake of Chicago’s successful campaign.
- Dan Pitcher has been with the Bengals since 2016. Over that time, he has worked his way up to quarterbacks coach, a role he has had for six seasons and counting. The 38-year-old finds himself as an interview candidate for OC positions, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Losing Pitcher would deal another blow to the stability Zac Taylor enjoyed on his offensive staff until Brian Callahan‘s departure in 2025.
- Fowler also points to Nate Scheelhaase as a “sleeper” with respect to offensive coordinator interviews. Scheelhaase, 35, served in many positions at the college level before joining the Rams in 2024; he currently serves as the team’s pass-game coordinator. Many Sean McVay assistants have gone on to land notable gigs elsewhere in the NFL, and along with D-coordinator Chris Shula Scheelhaase could soon become the latest to do so.
- Since 2022, George Godsey has served as the Ravens’ tight ends coach. That tenure is nearing an end, however, Godsey is finalizing a deal to become the next offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports. By returning to his alma mater, Godsey will end a run of NFL coaching positions which dates back to 2011.
QB Philip Rivers Will Not Play In 2026
Philip Rivers largely impressed (considering expectations) during his three-game return to the NFL. After attempting to rescue the Colts’ season late in 2025, though, he will not continue his comeback into next year. 
In the wake of Daniel Jones suffering an Achilles tear, head coach Shane Steichen reached out to Rivers about unretiring. A deal was quickly worked out, and the 44-year-old made three consecutive starts. Indianapolis lost all three games, ending the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs. Rivers will not start in the season finale, and he will not attempt to land a spot with the Colts or any other team in 2026.
“There’s no chance,” the eight-time Pro Bowler said during an appearance on the Up & Adams show when asked about continuing his career (video link). “It was a place I’d been, a team I was familiar with, the offense was exactly the same, a coach I knew, it was all those things, our football season was over, all those things made it the perfect storm… This was a fun three-week blur that nobody saw coming, including myself. And that’ll be it.”
Rivers confirmed, to little surprise, his attention will return to his high school coaching duties. His two eldest sons will be together in 2026 on the team he coaches. The Colts, meanwhile, will look to retain Jones after the success he enjoyed on a one-year deal this season. Sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard – who will start this week – figures to remain in the team’s plans moving forward. (Seth Henigan will be the Colts’ backup this week, per Fox59’s Mike Chappell, opening the door to Rivers being inactive for his final game.) The same may not be true of Anthony Richardson, who looms as a candidate for a change of scenery depending on the nature of his trade market.
Rivers was a semifinalist for this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Returning to the NFL reset his five-year eligibility clock, however. A lengthy wait will now ensue to see if he the longtime Chargers QB1 ultimately winds up in Canton.
On a few occasions prior to 2025, Rivers’ name emerged as a candidate for a post-retirement run of action. It appeared as though his window of opportunity on that front had closed before the Colts gig became available. Now, Rivers will reprise his role as a coach without giving further consideration to another short-term NFL stint.
Patriots DT Christian Barmore Facing Domestic Assault Charge
Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore faces one misdemeanor domestic assault charge, court documents from Attleborough District Court (Mass.) revealed on Wednesday. 
Barmore faces one count of assault and battery on a family/household member, as detailed by Emily Maher of WCBV. The charge stems from an alleged incident which took place on August 8, 2025 at a home in Mansfield. Barmore was in a relationship with the alleged victim, a woman with whom he engaged in an argument on the day in question.
According to the charging documents, Barmore grabbed the woman’s phone out of her hand while she was attempting to leave the house. He is alleged to have grabbed the woman before she could leave and “[thrown] her to the floor.” Barmore then grabbed her by the by the shirt “in the area of the neck” before eventually letting go, per the documents.
“The New England Patriots are aware of reports regarding a pending February arraignment involving Christian Barmore, which stems from an alleged domestic incident that occurred in August,” a team statement reads. “The Patriots were made aware at the time of the incident and informed the NFL in a timely manner. The matter remains part of an ongoing legal process. We will respect that process, continue to monitor the situation closely, as we have over the past few months, and cooperate fully with the league. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Court records reveal that on December 4, the alleged victim sent an email to police indicating her desire not to proceed with charges. A criminal complaint then emerged on December 16. Barmore is now scheduled to be arraigned on February 3.
A second-round pick in 2021, Barmore has been a regular contributor during his tenure in New England and a full-time starter this season. The 26-year-old has posted 26 tackles and one sack while playing an important role on the 13-3 Patriots. Barmore – who was limited to four games last season due to blood clot issues – is attached to a $21MM-per-year deal. His contract runs through 2028.
Today’s news comes one day after it was learned Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs faces strangulation and assault charges. Neither player spoke to the media on Wednesday.
Packers To Sign QB Desmond Ridder; Latest On Jordan Love, Malik Willis
The Packers do not have anything at stake in Week 18. Green Bay is locked into the NFC’s seventh seed, but the team does need healthy options at the quarterback spot for at least one game. 
As a result, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Desmond Ridder is being signed. This is a practice squad agreement, he adds. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Ridder will be joining Green Bay for the time being.
A third-round pick of the Falcons in 2022, Ridder made four starts as a rookie and another 13 the following season. He was with the Raiders last year, making one start and six appearances. Since then, Ridder has been in the Bengals’ and Vikings’ organization but he has yet to see any regular season action in 2025. The 26-year-old could be used as a gameday elevation to dress this week depending on the status of Green Bay’s other passers.
Jordan Love has been out of the fold since suffering a concussion against the Bears in Week 16. He participated in practice before being ruled out for Green Bay’s loss this past Saturday. That paved the way for backup Malik Willis to get the nod, but late in the game he reinjured his throwing shoulder. Third-stringer Clayton Tune needed to enter the contest with Willis unavailable.
LaFleur said (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky) Love remains in concussion protocol at this time. He will once again be able to practice today, however. Progressing through the final stages of the protocol would allow for Love to suit up against the Vikings on Sunday. Willis, meanwhile, will be a limited practice participant.
Sitting at 9-6-1 on the year, Green Bay cannot secure top spot in the NFC North, nor can the team move up in the wild-card standings. That could provide ample reason for the Packers to sit several starters, although LaFleur noted it would be far from ideal for Love to enter the postseason coming off a lengthy spell out of game action. It remains to be seen if he will be available to play at least in a limited capacity on Sunday. Likewise, the status of Willis – a pending free agent who has impressed during his Green Bay opportunities – will be something to monitor over the coming days.
Cardinals DL Calais Campbell To Contemplate Retirement
Week 18 will mark the end of Calais Campbell‘s 18th NFL season. It could also represent the final game of his career with another round of retirement thoughts looming. 
For several years now, Campbell has given thought to hanging up his cleats during the offseason. The decorated Cardinals defensive lineman will, to no surprise, do so once again shortly. A lengthy process on that front should not be expected.
[RELATED: Campbell Among Players Pursuing Performance Incentives]
“The last few years I’ve been through this process I’ve known pretty quickly that I’ve wanted to play again,” Campbell said (via Darren Urban of the team’s website). “It didn’t take me that long – within a month or so, I knew I wanted to play football again. We’ll see… Even if I decide not to play again, I want to have the ability to say no, rather than them saying, ‘See you later.'”
At the age of 39, Campbell has remained an impactful player on defense and special teams. The 2010s All-Decade Team member has recorded 6.5 sacks while also tacking on a blocked field goal and extra point attempt. Returning for another season would add to his impressive career totals, which will include 278 regular season appearances after Sunday’s game. The all-time record for defensive linemen is 282, held by Jim Marshall.
The 2025 offseason saw Campbell return to the Cardinals – the team with which he spent his first nine seasons – after single campaigns in Atlanta and Miami. The six-time Pro Bowler also enjoyed productive spells with the Jaguars and Ravens before re-joining Arizona. In August, Campbell said he expected this season to be his last. Coming off another healthy campaign, though, it will be interesting to see if he changes his mind.
The Cardinals have fallen well short of expectations this season, but signs have pointed to both head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort remaining in place for 2026. Stability on that front could help the chances of Campbell spending another year in Arizona (provided he continues playing), although he would presumably have a notable free agent market otherwise.
Colts To Start Riley Leonard In Week 18
DECEMBER 31: Steichen has now confirmed (via Holder) Leonard will get the start this week. Richardson, meanwhile, will not be activated. Henigan and Rivers will thus serve as backups to close out the season.
DECEMBER 30: When speaking after Sunday’s game, Philip Rivers reflected on his three-game return to NFL action. Since that point, signs have pointed to the Colts going in a different direction under center for Week 18. 
It continues to appear as though Rivers will not play in the season finale. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Stephen Holder report Riley Leonard is instead expected to get the nod this week. The sixth-round rookie has made four appearances so far this season. With the Colts out of playoff contention, he will now turn his attention to preparing for his first regular season start.
Daniel Jones‘ impressive debut Indianapolis campaign ended with an Achilles tear. With Anthony Richardson on injured reserve, head coach Shane Steichen reached out to Rivers and a deal allowing him to unretire was quickly worked out. At the age of 44, Rivers made three starts and totaled 544 passing yards and four touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. The Colts’ losing streak has extended to six games and the team now sits at 8-8 as a result, a dramatic turn of events for what was once a contender for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Richardson’s practice window is open, although as he continues to recover from an orbital bone fracture it is unclear if he will be activated from IR. The former No. 4 pick’s future is murky, as his time on the field for Indianapolis has left plenty to be desired. That, coupled with his injuries limits the value Richardson would generate in any potential trade. Leonard, meanwhile, profiles as a depth option for the foreseeable future as his rookie contract runs through 2028.
Yesterday, the Colts signed quarterback Seth Henigan to the practice squad. That move pointed further in the direction of Rivers sitting out Week 18 against the Texans and their vaunted defense. The QB1 role is set to go to Leonard instead, with Henigan representing an option to dress as a backup in the event Richardson is not activated.
Jerry Jones Anticipates Direct Negotiations With Cowboys WR George Pickens
The Micah Parsons saga dominated headlines throughout the 2025 offseason. The starting point to the tension between team and player in that case was in-person talks between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. 
Jones’ relationship with agent David Mulugheta – or lack thereof when it came to negotiating a Parsons extension – became a major talking point through to the trade sending Parsons to Green Bay. Once that blockbuster deal had been worked out, attention quickly turned to the fact Mulugheta also represents wideout George Pickens. The former Steeler has enjoyed a stellar debut season in Dallas, setting him up for a notable payday.
Pickens looms as a strong candidate to receive the franchise tag. Applying the tag would ensure he cannot reach the open market but it would also no doubt pave the way for negotiations on a long-term pact. Mulugheta figures to play a role on that front, but the possibility exists for another round of direct owner-player talks as well. Jones confirmed as much during his latest appearance on 105.3 The Fan.
“I don’t know,” Jones said (via Tommy Yarish of the team’s website) when asked about negotiating with Pickens in person. “We’ll see how it goes. Probably both, but I certainly expect to be speaking with George.”
Of course, it is not unheard of in the NFL for players to discuss extensions directly with a team’s general manager. Jones holds that title as well, and he has a long track record of working out contracts with little or no involvement from a player’s agent in certain instances. The Pickens case will be one to watch closely given not only his earning potential but also the tension which arose during the Parsons negotiations stemming from Jones’ insistence on keeping Mulugheta on the sidelines.
Pickens enters Week 18 ranked third in the NFL with 1,420 receiving yards and tied for fourth with nine touchdowns. A year spent on the tag would see him earn roughly $28MM, and a lengthy pact would likely carry a larger price tag. The nature of negotiations will thus be something to watch, especially if it includes a significant role for Pickens himself.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Addresses IR Move
In advance of their Week 17 game, the Raiders and Giants both shut down a number of players by moving them to injured reserve. The lengths Vegas went to drew criticism from some, but by losing to New York the team is now on track to select first overall in April’s draft. 
Maxx Crosby has dealt with a knee injury since October, and he intended to remain on the field through the final two weeks of the season. The Raiders moved him to injured reserve, however, removing the chance of the ailment being worsened down the stretch. Attention will now turn to meniscus surgery but also the question of Crosby’s outlook with the franchise.
In the aftermath of Vegas’ decision to shut him down, it was reported the five-time Pro Bowler would contemplate his future with the team. Crosby has spent his entire seven-year career with the Raiders, and he signed an extension in March. The 28-year-old made his first public comments on the situation during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Let’s Go! podcast.
“[W]hen it comes to football, there’s certain things that I truly believe in, and I feel like there’s core principles that you gotta live by, and there’s a certain way the game needs to be played,” Crosby said. “And there’s a certain approach that you have when you go onto the field. And the way you look at it, from my perspective, is you play to win. You play for your teammates, you put everything you have into the game, no matter what it is. There’s gonna be bumps and bruises. You’re gonna be banged up. That is a part of the game and the nature of the beast.”
While those remarks represent a less-than-flattering perspective on the Raiders and how they approached the end of the season, Crosby did not offer any comments regarding his future. The former fourth-rounder has remained one of the league’s most productive edge rushers over the course of his career with 69.5 sacks in 110 games. That kind of output will be expected moving forward, presuming of course Crosby remains in place.
The Raiders will close out their season against the Chiefs on Sunday. A loss will guarantee the No. 1 pick and set up what could be a reset at the quarterback position for the franchise. Regardless, Crosby’s status – and a definitive stance on his intentions – will remain something to monitor moving forward.
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a charge of felony strangulation or suffocation as well as a charge of misdemeanor assault and battery, according to records from Dedham District Court (Mass.) released on Tuesday.
As detailed by Matt Schooley of CBS News Boston, the charges stem from an alleged incident which took place on December 2. Diggs has denied the allegations. The 32-year-old wide receiver’s arraignment is set to take place January 23, though Schooley notes a judge agreed to consider delaying the it until March.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” a team statement reads. “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Diggs has made a financial offer to resolve the dispute with the alleged victim, according to Schooley. Diggs’ attorney argued for the police report to be impounded in order to have the details remain sealed. As it stands, details are sparse at this time. Since the charges stem from an unknown incident, it is difficult to project a potential stay on the rarely used commissioner’s exempt list. That would sideline Diggs while the case is being adjudicated.
Diggs is in his first year with the Patriots, having signed a three-year, $63.5MM deal that came with $16.6MM guaranteed at signing. While only $1.7MM of Diggs’ 2026 compensation came guaranteed at signing, an additional $6MM becomes guaranteed in March, according to Spotrac. Any suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy would stand to void future guarantees on this contract.
Previously tied to the Vikings, Bills and Texans, Diggs has never been suspended during his career. An odd headline did surface during Diggs’ first New England offseason, however. A video showed him flashing an “unidentified pink substance” while partying on a boat with a number of women. No NFL discipline came his way in connection with the video. Diggs welcomed a child with rapper Cardi B in November.
Playing a key role in Drake Maye‘s second-year surge, Diggs has recovered from the ACL tear he sustained midway through his lone Houston season. He leads the Patriots with 82 receptions for 970 yards, adding four touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler is close to surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his career.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Wan’Dale Robinson
The Giants have spent much of the 2025 season without Malik Nabers. That has dealt a blow to the team’s offense but it has also helped allow for fellow receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to enjoy a career year. 
Robinson received a whopping 140 targets in 2024, a season in which he was used heavily as a slot receiver. The former second-rounder only averaged 7.5 yards per catch as a result, but he has handled a more varied workload this season. Seeing more time on the perimeter, Robinson has remained a focal point on offense in 2025 but he has seen a notable uptick in efficiency along the way.
Thanks to a strong performance on Sunday, Robinson has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. The Kentucky product’s target total is identical to his 2024 figure and the same is essentially true of his 92 catches, but his yards per reception mark has increased to 11.0, comfortably a new personal best. As a pending free agent, the timing of this step up in production could lead to a lucrative payday.
When speaking to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, one NFL scout pegged Robinson’s market at $15MM-$16MM per season. A team executive agreed with that assessment, pointing to Christian Kirk‘s contract as the ceiling in this case. In 2022, eyebrows were raised when Kirk signed a four-year, $72MM pact during his first trip to free agency. Surges in the salary cap and the receiver market since then have changed the financial landscape at the position, though.
Robinson’s case is somewhat unique based on his size (5-8, 185 pounds). As Dunleavy notes, there are 27 receivers currently attached to an AAV of $16MM or more. That group only includes three under six feet in height, though (Kirk along with the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle). That factor could limit Robinson’s market to an extent, although a considerable raise can nevertheless be expected on his second NFL contract.
Robinson is set to turn 25 next week, so his next pact will cover the prime of his career. Whether it will come from the Giants or an outside suitor will be interesting to see. New York already has Darius Slayton on the books through 2027, and his pact includes considerable guarantees for next year. A monster Nabers extension can be signed as early as the 2026 offseason and it will of course need to be budgeted for. New York is currently projected to have roughly $17.5MM in cap space this spring, although that figure will change once cost-cutting season begins.
The group of pending free agent receivers is headlined by George Pickens, who looms as a Cowboys franchise tag candidate. Alec Pierce (Colts), Romeo Doubs (Packers), Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks) and Jalen Nailor (Vikings) are also in line to receive their second contract in the near future. Older wideouts could parlay their longer track record of production into a notable deal as well, but Robinson’s consistency over the past two years and his expanded role in 2025 should make him one of the top options at the position.
Last month, Robinson stated his desire to remain with the Giants. If that feeling is mutual and a deal is worked out, he will be in line to operate as a key figure in New York’s young offensive core for years to come. Otherwise, his market will be one worth monitoring closely.