Patriots Notes: Steve Belichick, Mayo, Front Office, ST Coordinator
While Bill Belichick‘s iconic stint with the Patriots has come to an end, there’s a chance his sons stick with the organization. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, both Steve Belichick and Brian Belichick have been offered opportunities to stay on the staff for 2024.
Steve Belichick has worked his way up through New England’s coaching ranks, culminating in him earning the roles of defensive play-caller and linebackers coach. New head coach Jerod Mayo worked closely with Steve, as the two effectively served as New England’s defensive coordinator over the past few years. While the elder Belichick could recruit his son to his next destination, the younger Belichick still has a strong connection to Mayo and the Patriots.
Brian Belichick joined the organization as a scouting assistant in 2016 and eventually earned a promotion to coaching assistant. After three years in that role, he was promoted to safeties coach, a gig he’s held since the 2020 campaign.
More notes out of New England…
- The Patriots quick decision to promote Mayo wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction, a fact we already partly knew considering the outlined succession plan in the coach’s contract. However, Breer notes that Robert Kraft has been touting Mayo as his next head coach for two years, with the owner telling others that Mayo would earn the promotion if Belichick left the organization.
- Belichick’s exit didn’t only open a hole on the sideline. Belichick also had full control over personnel, meaning the Patriots now have a GM-sized hole in their front office. We previously heard the organization was expected to lean on their current staff, a grouping that includes director of player personnel Matt Groh and director of scouting Eliot Wolf. If that configuration doesn’t work out, Breer says Kraft could end up looking to hire a GM, although the owner won’t be rushed into any decision. Breer also notes that the Patriots will better empower their scouting a department, a group that was becoming increasingly “frustrated that they weren’t being heard in the final decision-making process.”
- The Patriots have requested permission to interview Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams for the same job, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Williams got his NFL coaching start via the Bill Walsh NFL diversity coaching fellowship, and he worked his way up with the Bears, Lions, and Chargers before joining the Lions as the assistant ST coordinator in 2019. After two years in that role, he earned the top ST gig in Atlanta in 2021.
- Before the team’s season finale, the Patriots converted Lawrence Guy‘s $500K playing-time incentive into a bonus, guaranteeing the veteran’s money regardless of his snap count in Week 18. Guy would have earned the incentive had he appeared in 45 percent of his team’s defensive snaps, and he entered Week 18 having played in 45.57 percent. Guy ended up clinching that mark during the loss to the Jets.
- During that season finale, most signs pointed to it being special teams ace Matthew Slater‘s final NFL game. ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes that there were “strong hints” that the captain would be hanging up his cleats, with the Patriots wearing custom, Slater-themed hoodies and the player’s family being in attendance.
Seahawks Request HC Interview With Giants OC Mike Kafka
The Seahawks’ list of head coaching candidates continues to grow. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team requested a head coaching interview with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
[RELATED: 2024 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Following a successful first season in New York, Kafka emerged as a serious head coaching candidate last offseason. The coordinator garnered interviews with the Cardinals, Texans, and Colts for their head coaching jobs, but he ended up sticking with the Giants for the 2023 campaign. Thanks in part to injuries, the Giants offense ended up being one of the worst in the NFL this past season. The offense ultimately ranked 29th in yards and 30th in points scored.
That performance didn’t stop the Giants from retaining Kafka, and it hasn’t stopped HC-needy teams from pursuing the former Chiefs staffer. Kafka has already interviewed for the open head coaching position in Tennessee.
Now we can add Seattle to the list of suitors. Kafka guided Saquon Barkley to one of his most productive seasons in 2022, and it’d be interesting to see what he could do with the talented Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet tandem in Seattle.
The 36-year-old coach joins four definitive candidates and one rumored candidate in Seattle:
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Rumored candidate
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview requested
- Frank Smith, offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
Chargers To Meet With Jim Harbaugh
JANUARY 15: Harbaugh’s Chargers interview will take place today, per multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that nothing is imminent for either side at this point, and the coaching cycle is still in its early phases. Unattached to an NFL staff, however, Harbaugh is free to join an interested team at any point. Given the close connections made between he and the Chargers already, the takeaways from today’s interview will be worth monitoring closely.
JANUARY 13: It sounds like Jim Harbaugh has lined up his first interview of the year. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “it’s believed” that Harbaugh will meet with the Chargers next week about their head coaching vacancy. Those sources also told Pelissero and Ian Rapoport that Harbaugh has “indicated to associates” that he could leave the University of Michigan for the NFL job in Los Angeles.
[RELATED: Chargers, Raiders “Pressing Hard” For Jim Harbaugh]
While NFL assistants need to wait until January 22 for in-person HC interviews, Harbaugh is allowed to interview right away. A number of NFL teams with head coaching vacancies have been connected to a potential Harbaugh pursuit, including the Chargers, Falcons, Raiders, and Commanders. However, it’s been rumors up until this point, and it sounds like the Chargers will have the first opportunity to steal Harbaugh away from Michigan.
On the same note, the school is apparently worried about Harbaugh’s potential exit. Pelissero and Rapoport pass along that Michigan has made an effort to sign Harbaugh to a lucrative extension. This offer would obviously come in the midst of intense NFL interest, but the two reporters also note that the extension would come “in light of other recent movement within college football.” Harbaugh previously inked a 10-year, $125MM deal that keeps him under contract in Michigan through 2026.
While the Chargers have requested interviews with 11 candidates to replace Brandon Staley, the organization was set to be “pressing hard” to hire Harbaugh. In fact, with the coach having recently hired agent Don Yee, it was believed that the Chargers already submitted preliminary offers to the coach’s camp.
The Chargers also have a GM opening after firing Tom Telesco, and it was opined that Harbaugh could require full personnel control at his next NFL stop. However, Pelissero and Rapoport note that Harbaugh isn’t expected to require suitors “to allow him to hire his own GM, understanding that the structure [in] NFL buildings has changed and evolved since he last worked in the league.” Still, if the Chargers do opt for Harbaugh, there’s a good chance they’d hire a GM who has familiarity with the 60-year-old coach.
Since parting ways with the 49ers after the 2014 campaign, Harbaugh has guided Michigan to an 86-25 overall record. This includes a 37-3 record over the past three years, culminating in a National Championship win on Monday night. Per Pelissero and Rapoport, Harbaugh has spent the past few days “decompressing and making a school-sponsored victory tour,” but that hasn’t stopped the coach from considering his NFL future. Per sources, Harbaugh has been updating staff lists and examining potential openings around the NFL.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby To “Explore Trade Request” If Antonio Pierce Isn’t Named HC
While Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is believed to be “at or near the top” of the Raiders’ list of head coaching candidates, interim head coach Antonio Pierce continues to receive support from many in the organization. In fact, one of the team’s stars is even threatening a trade request if Pierce doesn’t earn the full-time job. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, edge rusher Maxx Crosby is expected to “explore a trade request” if Pierce isn’t promoted.
While many of Crosby’s teammates don’t have the sway to make a similar demand, the locker room is “publicly united” behind their interim head coach. The players believe Pierce has earned the opportunity to “continue building upon the culture and energy he built in Las Vegas this season.” After taking over for Josh McDaniels, Pierce helped guide the Raiders to a 5-4 record to end the 2023 campaign.
Raiders players have continually been supportive of their interim head coach ever since he’s taken over. Wideout Davante Adams told reporters that he’d “run through a wall” for his coach, and Crosby has been vocal about Pierce’s role in rebuilding the Raiders’ culture.
“It’s legendary,” Crosby said recently (via Schefter). “When you have the right culture, a guy like A.P. that embraces the history of the Raiders, it’s special. … A ton of legends [visit] consistently because the amount of respect they have for him. So it makes you, as a player, want to go out there and show who you are. You know what I mean? You want to be at that level one day.”
A Crosby trade request would obviously present a major story line heading into the offseason. The former fourth-round pick has turned into a star during his five seasons with the organization, culminating in a career season in 2023. Crosby earned second-team All-Pro honors this past year after finishing with 14.5 sacks, 31 QB hits, and a league-leading 23 tackles for loss. The pass-rusher is attached to a four-year, nearly $100MM contract that he signed with the Raiders in 2022.
This internal support for Pierce has led some sources to believe that the interim HC is a shoo-in to earn the full-time gig. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Pierce is the “leading candidate” for the job, with one source saying they’d be “blown away if Antonio weren’t the pick.” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds that owner Mark Davis has been impressed by Pierce’s ability to galvanize the squad.
Assuming the Raiders are serious about retaining Pierce, they’ll want to make a decision sooner than later. Per Josina Anderson, Pierce is set to meet with the Titans today about their head coaching job. After this news broke, Crosby was quick to tweet “#HireAP.”
However, there’s also a clear Harbaugh camp within the Raiders organization, an indication that the job could ultimately come down to the two candidates. For what it’s worth, the Raiders have yet to conduct any interviews for the job, and the organization is expected to hire a GM before moving on to their coaching vacancy.
However, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports points out that the organization should be wary of painting this as a two-horse race. If coaches believe Pierce or Harbaugh will ultimately be the choice, the Raiders may have a tough time getting these candidates in the building for interviews. Mark Maske of the Washington Post points out that the Raiders will still need to comply with the NFL’s minority interviewing requirements, which would require Davis and co. to “conduct in-person interviews with at least two minority candidates from outside the organization.”
Bears Plan To Interview Kentucky’s Liam Coen For OC Job; Team Meets With Seahawks’ Greg Olson
8:45pm: Another name can be added to the list of Bears OC targets. Chicago interviewed Seahawks QBs coach Greg Olson yesterday, Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle notes. Olson took his Seattle position last year after a single season with the Rams. The 60-year-old has served as a coordinator with the Lions, Rams, Buccaneers, Jaguars and – in two separate stints – Raiders. He thus profiles as a candidate with considerable experience as Chicago looks for a Getsy replacement.
Olson had not been connected to an OC posting this offseason before the Bears interview, but he has remained on the coordinator radar when holding other roles in the NFL. He interviewed with the Chargers last year before ultimately taking his current Seahawks gig. It will be interesting to see how much interest he gets from other teams in 2024 should more coordinator roles become available.
10:31am: The Bears are looking towards the NCAA to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports that Kentucky offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Liam Coen is expected to interview for Chicago’s OC job.
After spending time in the Northeast college circuit, Coen has bounced between the Rams and Kentucky in recent years. He spent two years as the Rams assistant wide receivers coach before earning the role of assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020. He left to become Kentucky’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2021 before returning to Los Angeles to replace Kevin O’Connell as the offensive coordinator.
The Rams offense struggled with Coen at the helm in 2022. The offense finished the season ranked 27th in points and last in yards, although that was partly due to the Rams starting four different players under center.
Coen went back to his previous role at Kentucky for the 2023 campaign and helped guide the offense to several improvements. Kentucky ultimately finished the season ranked 23rd in red zone TD percentage, 40th in yards per play, and 51st in points per drive (h/t to Adam Luckett of KSR).
Chicago is looking for a replacement for Luke Getsy, who was fired earlier this week. 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak has already emerged as a candidate for the open job.
Chargers To Interview Ed Dodds For GM Job
A third team has emerged as a suitor for Ed Dodds. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Colts assistant general manager is set to meet with the Chargers on Wednesday regarding their general manager vacancy.
[RELATED: Chargers Expected To Meet With Jim Harbaugh]
We previously heard that Dodds was set to interview for GM jobs with the Raiders and Panthers. Indeed, Schefter notes that the executive met with Las Vegas yesterday and will meet with Carolina tomorrow.
Dodds was named the Colts assistant general manager in 2018. He’s generated six head coaching interviews over the past four years, but he’s continued to stick in Indy as Chris Ballard‘s right-hand man. Dodds has been credited with helping guide the Colts in a post-Andrew Luck era. While the team hasn’t made a whole lot of noise in the AFC over the past five years, the Colts have still earned three winning records, including a 2020 campaign where they went 11-5.
Before his time in Indy, Dodds spent a decade with the Seahawks, overseeing the organization’s college and pro scouting departments. During his time in Seattle, the Seahawks earned six NFC West titles and made a pair of Super Bowl appearances.
This news follows reports from this morning that the Chargers were preparing to meet with Jim Harbaugh next week regarding their head coaching vacancy. It was believed that the Michigan head coach would be seeking some kind of personnel control, and at the very least, the Chargers were expected to pursue a GM who had some connection to Harbaugh. Besides their stints in the NFC West, Dodds hasn’t worked with Harbaugh.
The Chargers have a growing list of candidates to replace Tom Telesco as the Chargers GM. As our 2024 NFL General Manager Search Tracker shows, that grouping includes:
- Brandon Brown, assistant general manager (Giants): Interviewed 1/11
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): To interview 1/14
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Interview requested
- Jeff Ireland, assistant general manager (Saints): To interview
- Jeff King, co-director of player personnel (Bears): To interview
- Adam Peters, assistant general manager (49ers): Interview requested
- JoJo Wooden, interim general manager (Chargers): Interviewed 1/11
Bills/Steelers Playoff Game Postponed To Monday
The Bills/Steelers matchup scheduled for tomorrow afternoon has been pushed to Monday. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the first-round playoff game has been postponed to Monday at 4:30pm ET (via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports). The Bills have officially announced the decision.
Per Jones, Hochul has been communicating with commissioner Roger Goodell about a potential postponement. The storm is expected to reach it’s peak in Buffalo tomorrow afternoon, and the game was set to kick off at 1:00pm. Buffalo is expecting two to three inches of snow per hour, and there will be a travel ban in the city starting tonight through at least 6:00am Sunday morning. Hochul declared a State of Emergency on Friday.
“I’ve been in communication with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the dangerous conditions in Buffalo this weekend,” Hochul tweeted. “In consultation with our emergency response teams, [Bills] leadership, and the NFL, the Bills game will be postponed to 4:30 pm Monday.”
As Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets, the decision was made to protect those who will be traveling to the game, including fans. In other words, the decision wasn’t made in an effort to improve the on-field product. Per Jones, the Steelers have yet to leave Pittsburgh as of Saturday afternoon, and the organization is now expected to travel on Sunday.
The NFL certainly isn’t afraid of staging playoff games in inclement weather, and while the Bills/Steelers game has been pushed back, the Chiefs and Dolphins are still expected to play tonight in what will rank as one of the coldest games in NFL history (per the Associated Press, via ESPN).
While the NFL rarely moves games, this move isn’t completely unprecedented. In fact, the Steelers previously dealt with a postponed playoff game in 2017, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. The game was pushed back seven hours due to traveling concerns in Kansas City. The Steelers ended up winning that game over the Chiefs, with all 18 of Pittsburgh’s points coming via kicker Chris Boswell.
Coaching Notes: Bears, Harbaugh, Graham
We’ve got our first candidate for the open Bears OC job. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are planning to interview 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak for their vacant offensive coordinator job.
The son of Gary Kubiak, Klint has worked his way up through the coaching ranks over the past few years. After serving as the Vikings quarterbacks coach, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021 following his father’s retirement. He was added to the Broncos staff in 2022 as their passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and he eventually took over play-calling duties from head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
He was hired as the 49ers passing game coordinator last offseason, and since San Francisco isn’t rolling with a traditional OC, Kubiak has full control over the passing offense. Brock Purdy has had a standout season during his second season under center, and each of Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle finished with at least 800 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
The Bears moved on from two-year offensive coordinator Luke Getsy earlier this week. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, and running backs coach Omar Young were also let go. When asked about the status of offensive line coach Chris Morgan, Bears coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that the team’s new OC will be allowed to choose their own staff (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin).
More coaching notes from around the NFL…
- A number of teams have been connected to Bill Belichick, including the Commanders. However, the organization doesn’t plan to pursue the iconic head coach, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. We heard earlier today that the Commanders weren’t expected to have interest in Belichick, although it wasn’t a definitive denial. The team isn’t shying away from big names, however. Fowler writes that we should not “totally discount” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for the open job in Washington.
- While Patrick Graham is allowed to take head coaching interviews, the Raiders defensive coordinator won’t be allowed to pursue a lateral move. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders blocked an unknown team’s request to interview Graham for their DC vacancy. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean Graham will end up sticking around Las Vegas next season. Per Rapoport, the Raiders next head coach will be allowed to choose who to retain from the existing staff. Graham spent the past two seasons as the Raiders DC, with his unit finishing the 2023 season ninth in points allowed.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/11/24
One reserve/futures contract to pass along:
Los Angeles Chargers
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/11/24
One practice squad move to pass along:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB A.J. Klein
- Released: DT Eli Ankou
Klein has spent much of the past four seasons in Buffalo, collecting 110 tackles and five sacks in 39 games (16 starts). He was cut by the Bills at the end of the 2023 preseason, but following the sudden retirement of Christian Kirksey, he was added back to the practice squad. He ended up getting into a pair of games this season, with all of his snaps coming on special teams. He was cut from the active roster back in December.
Matt Milano remains on injured reserve as he recovers from a broken tibia, and replacement Tyrel Dodson suffered a shoulder injury in the regular season finale. This left the team shallow at linebacker, and there’s a chance the veteran Klein finds himself on the active roster for Sunday’s first-round matchup against the Steelers.