Eagles S Sydney Brown Tears ACL
JANUARY 8: Testing revealed Brown did suffer a tear, Nick Sirianni confirmed Monday. Brown will join safety Justin Evans on Philadelphia’s IR soon, further depleting a struggling defense at the position. Due to the timing of the injury, the third-round pick stands to become a candidate to start next season on the reserve/PUP list.
JANUARY 7: The Eagles’ defensive struggles continued on Sunday, and the unit will be shorthanded ahead of the postseason. Rookie safety Sydney Brown is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. 
Further testing will be needed to confirm the initial diagnosis, Garafolo notes. If Brown is indeed set to miss the remainder of the campaign, though, his absence will deal a blow to Philadelphia’s secondary. The 23-year-old has been a significant contributor in recent weeks in particular while the team has dealt with other injuries on the backend.
Just like his twin brother, Brown was drafted this April to mark the beginning of his pro career after an impressive showing in the college ranks. The Canadian was one of several members of Illinois’ talented secondary, and his production there put him on the radar of the Eagles as part of their re-tooling efforts following a notable offseason exodus amongst defenders. Brown had logged five starts in his rookie season, highlighted by a 99-yard pick-six in Week 17.
While seeing considerable usage on special teams but also a rotational role on defense, the third-rounder totaled 45 tackles and three pass deflections heading into today’s game. Philadelphia’s loss to the Giants locked the reigning NFC champions into the No. 5 seed, and the result marked a fifth defeat in the final six weeks of the season. The Eagles’ defense has been a sore spot in that stretch, and being without Brown will not be a welcomed sign heading into the wild-card round.
The Eagles will open the postseason in Tampa Bay. Given their struggles on defense in general – and against the pass as a whole – the loss of depth at the S spot will lead to the team’s starters being leaned on even more heavily. Reed Blankenship and trade acquisition Kevin Byard will continue to log a heavy workload. They (along with a cornerback contingent which is expected to include a healthy Darius Slay) will look for a rebound performance relative to recent showings in the playoffs next week. Brown, meanwhile, will turn his attention to offseason recovery.
Giants Fire ST Coordinator Thomas McGaughey; OC Mike Kafka, DC Don Martindale Likely To Be Retained
2:14pm: Further changes to the Giants’ staff are coming. Offensive line coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins have been let go, Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic reports. Both staffers have a history with Martindale given their shared time in Baltimore, and the latter has publicly praised both on several occasions. For that reason, speculation continues to point to a Martindale departure even though Daboll suggested otherwise this morning.
10:30am: Changes have been made to the Giants’ coaching staff, but a degree of stability is set to remain in place. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson have been fired, head coach Brian Daboll announced on Monday. 
All three coordinator have been mentioned as potentially being on the hot seat, so McGaughey’s dismissal comes as little surprise. The 50-year-old’s NFL coaching career dates back to 2001, and he had a stint as an assistant with the Giants from 2007-10. He returned to New York after as the team’s coordinator in 2018 (following stints in that same role with the Jets, 49ers and Panthers), enjoying relative success early on.
In recent years, however, the Giants’ third phase performances have taken a turn for the worse. In 2023, New York finished 21st in terms of special teams DVOA, marking a continuation of the team’s underwhelming showings. Now, for the first time since Pat Shurmur‘s tenure as head coach, the Giants will need to find a replacement special teams coordinator.
Johnson followed Daboll to the Giants in 2022 after their shared time with the Bills. The O-line was a sore spot throughout the campaign, though, and New York allowed a league-leading 85 sacks. That figure is in part a result of the slew of injuries the Giants dealt with up front, but also a lack of development from certain young members of the unit. That includes right tackle Evan Neal, who struggled before missing the latter portion of the season due to an ankle injury which will require surgery.
Notably, though, Daboll added that he expects both offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Don Martindale to be retained for 2024. Both staffers were reported to be on the chopping block in November, something which came as little surprise given the team’s regression from its impressive playoff run in 2022. New York faced issues in the passing game both before and after Daniel Jones‘ ACL tear, leading to a 30th place finish in scoring (15.6 points per game).
The team’s defense did not fare much better under Martindale this season, and tensions between he and Daboll became a major talking point during the season. A November report from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer pointed to a parting of ways being likely given the Daboll-Martindale rift, something the Giants attempted to publicly downplay. Martindale himself has also stated an intention to remain with the Giants, and it now appears that will be the case.
Significant improvement on both sides of the ball will be needed by New York if the team is to avoid a repeat of this season’s shortcomings. Plenty of significant decisions loom, including one on the future of running back Saquon Barkley. Jones’ contract has also not quelled doubts about his Giants tenure beyond the 2024 campaign. While ownership is on board with general manager Joe Schoen‘s rebuilding efforts, Daboll appears to likewise be satisfied a largely intact coaching staff will be able to rebound in 2024.
Commanders Send Out Five GM Interview Requests
The Commanders have not yet dismissed Martin Mayhew from his GM post, but that has been expected. Owner Josh Harris will take the unusual step of sending out GM interview requests despite the incumbent still residing on staff. 
Not long after firing Ron Rivera, Washington’s new ownership sent out five GM interview requests Monday. The team will attempt to meet with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham and Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook, according to the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala. 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters also received a request, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports, adding Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi also garnered one. Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby did as well, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero.
Many staffers listed have been connected to GM vacancies in the past, and have had their names floated as ones to watch in the 2024 hiring cycle. As such, it comes as no surprise that the Commanders will involve them in their transition to a new organizational structure. Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers as well as former Vikings GM Rick Spielman are in place as advisors for the search process concerning Washington’s’ next head coach and president of football operations.
Cunningham has been a top GM candidate in recent years. He joined the Eagles’ staff after a lengthy tenure with the Ravens before taking his current Bears posting under Ryan Poles last offseason. Cunningham spoke with the Titans about their vacancy in 2023, and he turned down the Cardinals position. He will no doubt be a leading candidate for teams in need of a new GM this year as well.
Like Cunningham, Peters is considered a name to watch. The 2023 campaign marks his third in his current role with San Francisco, as he spent the previous four seasons as the 49ers’ vice president of player personnel. That came after a lengthy stint with the Broncos, making him an experienced option on the GM market. A personal connection could also be in play with respect to the Commanders’ vacancy.
Peters and Myers have a long history with one another, as noted by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. That could explain (to an extent) the latter’s inclusion on Harris’ hand-picked search committee to replace Rivera and, eventually, Mayhew. Likely to be significantly in demand this offseason, Peters will be able to afford to be choosey when electing to remain in the Bay Area or depart for a GM opening. He will interview with Washington this week, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
The Commanders could be an attractive vacancy given Harris’ presence as owner, the team’s signficant cap space heading into free agency and the No. 2 selection in this year’s draft. A rebuild will be required, and the lack of a head coach certainly leaves the franchise with a degree of uncertainty, though. When speaking to the media on Monday, Harris said he intends to have a new head of football operations in place before a HC. The timeline along which a GM will be brought in will be worth watching closely.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Dennis Allen Expects To Remain Saints HC
As news continues to pour in regarding coaching and general manager changes, no such shifts seem to be looming in New Orleans. Saints head coach Dennis Allen said on Monday (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell) that he expects to remain in place for 2024. 
Like the rest of the NFC South, the Saints were the subject of speculation regarding their head coaching future throughout the year. Allen had been reported as being on the hot seat, something which came as little surprise given the team’s offensive struggles in particular. More recent signs did point, however, to Allen being safe regardless of New Orleans’ end to the campaign.
The 51-year-old was promoted to head coach in 2022 to replace Sean Payton. The move came after he had spent the past seven years on New Orleans’ staff as defensive coordinator, and that unit has remained strong over the past two campaigns. Shortcomings at the quarterback position were a talking point this past offseason, though, and the team made a major move in the form of adding quarterback Derek Carr.
By and large, the four-time Pro Bowler did not live up to the expectations generated by his four-year, $150MM pact. A number of issues contributed to his struggles early in the year in particular as he and the team’s skill-position corps dealt with injuries and the season-opening suspension to running back Alvin Kamara. New Orleans finished the year ranked only 13th in passing yards per game and 15th in total offense (although the team managed to check in at ninth in scoring).
For that reason, changes to the offensive staff have been mentioned as a distinct possibility. OC Pete Carmichael could be on the hot seat, although no firm decisions on his fate have been made yet. The Saints improved in Allen’s second year at the helm, posting a 9-8 record in 2023 after going 7-10 the year before. The veteran-laden squad was unable to win an underwhelming NFC South once again, though, which represents a point of consternation.
In spite of that, Allen (who has yet to receive an official vote of confidence at this point) appears to be on track for a third year in charge. Several key offseason decisions lie ahead, and the franchise will no doubt continue its annual tradition of signficant contract restructures this winter. While changes will be made in some capacity, continuity on the sidelines can be expected.
Commanders Request HC Interviews With Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Raheem Morris, Anthony Weaver
Moving quickly in the wake of Ron Rivera‘s expected firing, the Commanders have already begun identifying targets for his replacement. The team has sent out a number of interview requests. 
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn are among the candidates being sought out, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Both staffers, and Johnson in particular, are believed to be hot commodities in the 2024 hiring cycle. As a result, it comes as little surprise that Washington will speak to each of them.
Johnson has enjoyed a successful second season in his current posting, helping the Lions remain on the league’s most efficient offenses. His work with quarterback Jared Goff has earned considerable praise, and it made him a firm target of the Panthers last year. Johnson, 37, is one of the younger coaches set to be on the market, but he has been an NFL staffer for 12 years.
Once again, Carolina is prepared to make a serious run at Johnson for the team’s latest head coaching vacancy. The Panthers are in need of a new HC and also a GM, and much of the franchise’s ability to rebound from the struggles of the past few years will depend on quarterback Bryce Young‘s development. Johnson would be a welcomed addition in that regard, but the presence of Justin Herbert in Los Angeles has made the Chargers gig an attractive one. A mutual interest is thought to exist between Johnson and the Bolts.
Glenn’s tenure with the Lions has been less consistent than Johnson’s, but he could likewise be connected to several openings this year. Detroit put together an extension for him last winter, as a sign of his success as part of Dan Campbell‘s staff. Glenn did make it clear in the summer, however, that he has his eyes on a head coaching gig at some point in his career.
In addition to the Lions duo, the Commanders have requested to speak with Rams DC Raheem Morris, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Morris has been in Los Angeles for the past three years in his second defensive coordinator gig at the NFL level. The 47-year-old’s coaching career includes a stint as secondary coach in Washington from 2012-14. A return to the nation’s capital would give the Commanders a veteran staffer and, like Rivera, one with a background on the defensive side of the ball.
Morris was a high-profile candidate for a number of vacancies in recent years. He interviewed twice with the Vikings in 2022 before Minnesota elected to add Kevin O’Connell. Morris was also linked to the Broncos‘ and Colts‘ gigs last year. It would come as little surprise if he were to land his first head coaching opportunity since his three-year run at the helm of the Buccaneers (2009-11).
Lastly, Washington has also submitted a request with Ravens D-line coach Anthony Weaver, per Schefter. Weaver holds the title of associate head coach, and his strong showing in Baltimore over the past three seasons has landed him on the HC radar. Ravens coordinators Todd Monken and Mike Macdonald are also expected to receive interest, but Weaver has experience at the coordinator level (with the Texans in 2020) and is a well-regarded staffer.
More names will no doubt emerge with respect to the Commanders’ search process, but for now a strong quartet has surfaced. Each candidate could speak with any number of teams currently looking to fill a vacancy, so Washington will have competition on the coaching market. Virtual interviews with candidates on playoff teams cannot take place until at least January 16 given this year’s adjustments to the interview procedure.
Panthers Fire GM Scott Fitterer
In a move which comes as little surprise, the Panthers have moved on from general manager Scott Fitterer. His three-year run in Charlotte is now over, and the team’s offseason will include a search for replacements both on the sidelines and in the front office.
“As we move forward with the new direction for our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as our general manager,” a statement from owner David Tepper reads. “I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish the best for him and his family.” 
A report from last month pointed to Fitterer being shown the door to coincide with yet another search for a new head coach. The longtime Seahawks exec had received a vote of confidence in the wake of Matt Rhule being let go, but a repeat on that front will not take place. The Panthers now join the Chargers and Raiders as teams with GM openings.
After a 5-12 campaign in his 2021 Carolina debut, Fitterer has attempted to find a long-term answer for the franchise at the quarterback position. That included the trade acquisition of Baker Mayfield last summer. The former No. 1 pick struggled mightily in Charlotte, however, and he was gone by the time the season came to an end. Running back Christian McCaffrey had been dealt away by the end of the 7-10 campaign, leaving the Panthers in need of an organizational reset.
That effort was built in large part on the blockbuster move to acquire the top pick in the 2023 draft from the Bears. The Panthers sent Chicago a package including two first-round selections, two second-rounders and wideout D.J. Moore to move to the top of the draft board. That maneuver resulted in Bryce Young being selected, something which came about after an internal decision-making process which has been the subject of considerable speculation and scrutiny.
As ex-head coach Frank Reich has made clear, Tepper played a central role in the decision to select Young over other signal-callers available (namely C.J. Stroud). Young’s struggles led to a very poor offensive showing, something which informed Reich’s dismissal after only 11 games at the helm. Regardless of how much weight his voice carried in the Young selectin, Fitterer has drawn criticism for authorizing the trade and for failing to insulate Young with an adequate offensive line in his rookie year.
Overall, the Panthers posted a 14-37 record during Fitterer’s run. That represents the league’s worst mark over that span, and with this year’s top pick belonging to the Bears, the path to contending status will be a difficult one for his replacement to navigate. Among the top priorities for the new GM will be working out the future for Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns. The former first-rounder is due to reach free agency this offseason, and either a franchise tag or a long-term deal will need to be in place to keep him in Charlotte for 2024 and beyond. Talks on an extension have not produced much traction to date, but a new face at the negotiating table could bring about progress.
While interim head coach Chris Tabor will be replaced over the coming weeks, likely by an outside candidate, the same may not be true for Fitterer’s successor. Assistant GM Dan Morgan is liked within the organization, and he has a chance to be promoted to the full-time role; ESPN’s David Newton reports Morgan will oversee personnel moves for now. Given Tepper’s less-than-stellar reputation (particularly with respect to meddling), it will be interesting to see how much of a market this vacancy generates.
2024 marks the first time in Tepper’s tenure that the Panthers have a simultaneous opening at the head coach and general manager positions. Needless to say, the coming weeks will therefore have a profound impact on the short- and long-term direction of the franchise as a rebound from this year’s 2-15 slate is sought out.
Commanders Fire Ron Rivera; Bob Myers, Rick Spielman Added As Advisors
Black Monday has seen the next head coach dismissed in the NFL. As expected, the Commanders have parted ways with Ron Rivera, marking an end to his four-year run with the team. 
Owner Josh Harris has taken a unique approach to begin the process of finding Rivera’s replacement. Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers as well as former Vikings GM Rick Spielman have been hired as advisors to assist in the search, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski.
A house cleaning on the sidelines in particular has been expected for some time now, and Harris has indeed followed through with the expected move of dismissing Rivera. The latter posted a 4-13 record this season, the worst in his career. As a result of the team’s losing skid to close out the campaign, Rivera’s overall mark in the nation’s capital stands at 26-40-1. None of his four seasons at the helm resulted in a winning campaign, although that stretch did include a playoff appearance in 2020.
General manager Martin Mayhew – himself listed as a hot seat occupant – along with executive VP of football/player personnel Marty Hurney will remain in place for at least the time being, per the team. They will assist in the search process for Rivera’s successor as well as a new head of football operations. The latter position points to an organizational restructuring compared to how the franchise operated under former owner Dan Snyder. The fate of Mayhew and Hurney will be decided after the new hires are in place, per the ESPN report.
Rivera took the Washington posting after eight-plus years with the Panthers. His time in Carolina included a Super Bowl appearance and aided his reputation as a top defensive mind. However, struggles on both sides of the ball limited the Commanders’ ability to contend during his time at the helm, and the team’s actions around the 2023 deadline pointed to major changes being forthcoming. Edge rushers (and pending free agents) Montez Sweat and Chase Young were dealt at the deadline, even though Rivera and then-defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio preferred to retain the former.
After a lopsided loss on Thanksgiving, Rivera fired Del Rio. That move came as little surprise given the lack of success on defense the team had with that pair on the sidelines despite the presence of four former first-rounders along the defensive line. Issues on that side of the ball, along with inconsistent play from first-year starting quarterback Sam Howell, led to an eight-game losing streak to close out the season. Major changes throughout the organization are due to take place as a result.
As CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports, Harris is believed to be seeking a culture-builder allowing the Commanders to emulate teams such as the Patriots, Chiefs and Ravens. An emphasis on analytics has been mentioned as a factor to watch amidst the remolding of the franchise, including the appointment of a president of football ops. To no surprise, Harris’ effort on that front will include assistance from the NBA world; in addition to the Commanders, Harris owns the Philadelphia 76ers as well as the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
Myers served as general manager of the Warriors beginning in 2012 and he held the post through this past season. In his tenure, Golden State built one of the NBA’s modern dynasties, winning four championships. Myers was named Executive of the Year twice, and he currently works as an analyst with ESPN.
Spielman had a nine-year run with the Vikings which ended in 2021. He was linked to a high-ranking post with the Jaguars in the 2022 offseason, but this temporary appointment will be his first in the NFL since the end of his Minnesota tenure. Spielman has more than 30 years of experience in the league, something which will be leaned on in the coming weeks. Minority owners Magic Johnson, Mitch Rales and David Blitzer will also participate in the search process.
The Commanders currently lead the NFL in projected cap space, and the results of Week 18’s matchups has left the team with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft. With plenty of roster flexibility, the Washington opening could be an attractive one to interested candidates. Regardless of which changes are made to the front office and on the sidelines, a quarterback capable of at least competing with Howell for the starting role is also expected to be added.
“Today, we made the decision to part ways with Ron Rivera,” a statement from Harris reads in part. “I want to thank Ron and his wife Stephanie for all they did for the Commanders and DMV community, especially during the ownership transition. Ron helped navigate this organization through some challenging times. He is a good man and thoughtful leader who has positively contributed to this organization and the NFL. I wish the Rivera family nothing but the best moving forward.”
Titans’ Mike Vrabel Facing Uncertain Future
Speculation has been present throughout the 2023 season with respect to Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. His sixth year at the helm of the franchise came to an end on Sunday, and it remains to be seen what direction the organization will take. 
Reports have pointed to Vrabel and first-year general manager Ran Carthon not being on the same page. With Tennessee set for a signficant transition on the field – including potential free agent departures from quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry – 2024 could be a logical time to move in a new direction on the sidelines. Vrabel has publicly stated an intention to remain in Nashville, but his fate is yet to be decided.
Vrabel and/or the Titans could be amenable to a separation, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Meetings involving the 48-year-old and the organization’s top decision-makers are set for the coming days, Schefter adds. Discussions at that time will likely provide clarity with respect to where all parties stand. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Vrabel has not yet sat down with ownership over issues related to Carthon and the direction of the organization.
As Schefter notes, therefore, this situation is a fluid one worth monitoring. Both Rapoport and Outkick’s Armando Salguero report Vrabel would command a notable trade market in the event the decision was reached favoring a parting of ways. Since Vrabel is under contract through 2025, Tennessee would obviously have incentive to find a trade partner rather than dismissing him. Patriots connections have loomed given Bill Belichick‘s uncertain status, but New England’s next course of action on the sidelines and in the front office remains to be seen.
Vrabel enjoyed a strong start to his Titans career, posting four consecutive seasons with a winning record and making three playoff appearances. Since then, however, the team has gone 13-21 and signficant room for improvement exists on the offensive side of the ball in particular. A number of replacement candidates with an offensive background would no doubt be considered in the event Vrabel were to be traded, but the Titans would face competition in that regard from several teams with head coaching vacancies.
Notably, Dianna Russini of the Athletic reports no meeting has currently been scheduled between Vrabel, Carthon and Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk. Such organizational sit-downs are commonplace amongst NFL teams upon the conclusion of a season, though, so one can likely be expected along the above-mentioned timeline or slightly later. As Black Monday looms, the coaching market around the league will soon begin to heat up. Whether or not Vrabel is involved in it will be a key story to watch.
Commanders Interested In Bill Belichick?
The scope of the 2024 coaching cycle is yet unknown, but it has been assumed for quite some time that Ron Rivera’s tenure with the Commanders is set to come to an end. In the likely event Washington moves on from the veteran staffer, new owner Josh Harris will be a key figure to watch. 
Rivera was believed to have entered the 2023 season – the first after Harris’ purchase of the franchise from Dan Snyder – on the hot seat. Plenty depended on the progress of first-year starter Sam Howell under center, but things have not gone according to plan on that front. With Harris in place to bring in his own hires on the sidelines and in the front office, attention will no doubt soon turn to replacement options in both capacities.
One candidate hypothetically capable of wearing both hats in a new environment is Bill Belichick. The six-time Super Bowl winner may very well have seen his Patriots tenure come to an end on Sunday, meaning he could be available to any number of interested suitors. One of those is Harris and the Commanders, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.
Belichick’s time with New England has not officially ended, but a mutual parting of ways between he and Patriots owner Robert Kraft would come as little surprise at this point. Questions have been raised regarding how many teams would be interested in the 71-year-old, but he has recently been linked to openings in the NFC South as well as the Raiders. As Florio notes, a central point in any Commanders-Belichick partnership would be the amount of control he would have within the organization.
Belichick has served as the Patriots’ head coach but also their de facto general manager during his tenure, something which be a challenge to duplicate in a new environment. The presence of Harris, signficant cap space and a high draft selection in the 2024 draft are factors which could make the Commanders gig an attractive one. It remains to be seen, however, if Belichick would entertain a rebuilding effort over a situation better situated for a win-now approach.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network writes Washington is in fact “not likely” to pursue Belichick, and a younger option (especially one with a background on offense aimed at developing Howell or a new quarterback) would likely make more sense than the vaunted defensive mind. Likewise, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano points to a Belichick deal being unlikely. He adds that a new general manager (presuming Martin Mayhew is indeed let go) is expected to be in place before a Rivera replacement is hired.
As such, the future for Belichick – a native of Annapolis, Maryland – may not include an arrangement sending him to the nation’s capital. In any case, he could be a major domino with respect to the 2024 hiring cycle if he finds himself joining a new team this offseason. With plenty of other options to consider, the Commanders will of course also be a team to monitor over the coming days and weeks.
Latest On Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy, DC Dan Quinn
Ahead of their regular season finale, the Cowboys have already clinched a playoff spot but there is still a division title up for grabs. The team’s ability to secure the NFC’s No. 2 seed and, of course, their showing in the postseason, could have major implications on the sidelines. 
Head coach Mike McCarthy has faced an uncertain future during much of a relatively succesful run in Dallas. The former Super Bowl winner guided the team to consecutive 12-5 seasons over the past two years (a mark which would be replicated again with a win today over the Commanders). However, the franchise’s drought with respect to deep playoff runs has continued.
In spite of that, recent reports (along with an offseason vote of confidence from owner Jerry Jones) have pointed to McCarthy being safe for next year. A strong showing both today and in the first two rounds of the playoffs would certainly help his job security, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter does add, however, that personnel around the league and within the Cowboys’ organization feel McCarthy’s future could be significantly tied to today’s result.
A win over the reeling Commanders would clinch the NFC East for the Cowboys, but a loss would open the door to the Eagles claiming the division title. The latter scenario would see Dallas go on the road in the postseason, something which would be particularly signficant given the drastic difference in performance the team has displayed compared to its home contests. Dallas came up short in Washington during last year’s season finale, and McCarthy and Co. will be aiming to avoid a repeat of that situation.
One year remains on McCarthy’s contract, so an extension this offseason would come as little surprise. The Cowboys have continued to post strong numbers on offense after the departure of OC Kellen Moore and McCarthy taking over play-calling duties on that side of the ball. The team has also been effective in many defensive categories, owing in large part to the job done by third-year defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
The latter has kept himself on the head coaching radar once again this season, as has been the case in the past two years. Quinn withdrew from HC consideration in both cases, but it remains to be seen if that will happen again in the near future. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News notes that Quinn is believed to be “more receptive to the right offer” in the upcoming hiring cycle than those of years past.
The 53-year-old was last a head coach with the Falcons from 2015-20, a stretch which included a Super Bowl appearance. Quinn has rebuilt his value as one of the game’s top defensive minds during his time in Dallas, though, and he will no doubt be a hot commodity if he entertains outside offers. Schefter adds the Cowboys want to keep Quinn, but their ability to do so while also retaining McCarthy would be a key storyline to follow. In any case, plenty will be at stake today and in the immediate future for Dallas’ coaching staff.