Giants Request DC Interview With Bills’ Bobby Babich
The list of Giants defensive coordinator candidates continues to grow. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Giants requested permission to interview Bills linebackers coach Bobby Babich for their defensive coordinator job.
Babich has spent the past seven seasons in Buffalo, four of which he worked alongside current Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Babich started as an assistant defensive backs coach in Buffalo before earning a promotion to safeties coach in 2018. After four years in that role, Babich replaced his father, Bob Babich, as the Bills’ linebackers coach in 2022. During his first season as Buffalo’s LBs coach, Babich helped guide Matt Milano to his first All-Pro season.
Babich started his NFL coaching career with the Panthers in 2011. He later had a stint with the Browns before spending a single season at FIU.
As our 2024 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker shows, Babich is now the fifth candidate to potentially replace Don Martindale in New York. The rest of the group includes:
- Derrick Ansley, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Shane Bowen, defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed
- Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview requested
- Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Ravens): Interviewed
Elsewhere in New York, the Giants interviewed Larry Izzo this past weekend for their special teams coordinator vacancy, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. The former Patriots special teams ace was the Texans ST coordinator in 2016 and 2017. He’s spent the past six seasons in Seattle, including the past three as the special teams coordinator.
Izzo joins a growing list of candidates to replace Thomas McGaughey in New York. Matt Harper, Carlos Polk, and Michael Ghobrial were among the names previously connected to the open position.
Eagles Interview Kliff Kingsbury For OC Job
With Brian Johnson out in Philadelphia, the Eagles are starting to reach out to potential replacements. The first on the list is Kliff Kingsbury, who interviewed for the Eagles offensive coordinator job today, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The meeting was done virtually, per Garafolo.
[RELATED: Eagles To Fire OC Brian Johnson]
After getting fired as the Cardinals head coach last offseason, Kingsbury caught on with USC for the 2023 campaign. He served as the school’s senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach, and he was tasked with coaching top prospect Caleb Williams. While the quarterback’s numbers dropped a bit from his 2022 Heisman Trophy campaign, Williams still finished this past season with 30 touchdowns vs. only five interceptions.
Most notably, Williams improved his completion percentage from 66.6 to 68.6. And while the QB ran less frequently, he found the end zone more often, scoring 11 rushing touchdowns (vs. 10 touchdowns in 2022). Williams’ performance (and perhaps Kingsbury’s tutelage) didn’t do anything to impact the prospect’s draft stock, as the QB is still expected to be among the first few picks in this year’s draft.
Kingsbury’s offensive acumen was what earned him the Cardinals job back in 2019. The team took steps forward in each of Kingsbury’s first three years at the helm, culminating in an 11-win season in 2021 (the Cardinals would go on to lose their lone playoff game). However, following a 2022 campaign that saw Arizona drop to 4-13, Kingsbury was relieved of his duties.
Following a year away from the league, the coach is now back on the NFL radar. Kingsbury earned an interview for the Bears OC job, and now he’ll be vying for the chance to replace Johnson in Philadelphia.
Following two strong seasons as the Eagles’ QBs coach, Johnson earned a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2023. The Eagles finished this past season ranked eighth in yards per game and seventh in scoring, but the team’s late-season nosedive ultimately cost the coach his job. The Eagles certainly have all the pieces needed for the next coordinator to succeed, and a creative offensive mind could help take the unit to the next level.
Commanders Scheduling Second HC Interviews With Dan Quinn, Raheem Morris
TUESDAY, 7:40pm: Another candidate has earned a second interview with the Commanders, as ESPN’s John Keim reports that Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver is expected to meet again with the organization.
Weaver is also in consideration for the Falcons head coaching job, where he also earned a second interview. Weaver has spent the past three seasons in Baltimore, including the past two as the DL coach/associate head coach.
MONDAY, 5:55pm: The Commanders are lining up second interviews with head coach candidates. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Commanders are expected to host Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on an in-person interview. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is scheduling a second interview with the Commanders.
Following the Cowboys’ disappointing playoff loss, it didn’t take long for Quinn to hit the interview trail. He met with the Commanders last week, and he’s already earned second interviews with the Titans and Seahawks.
Following a third-straight standout year by the Cowboys defense, Quinn is once again a popular name on the head coaching market. The veteran coach reportedly rejected previous HC opportunities in order to stick with Dallas, but it sounds like he’s more open to moving on in 2024. The former Falcons head coach has also been connected to the Panthers and Chargers jobs.
Morris is also a popular HC candidate this offseason. We previously heard that Morris earned second interviews with the Panthers and Seahawks, and in addition to the Commanders, Schefter notes that the coordinator is also expected to take a second interview with the Falcons.
Morris has served as the Rams defensive coordinator since 2021. He served as Atlanta’s interim head coach in 2020 following the firing of (who else) Dan Quinn. Morris’s stint in Atlanta spanned six years, and he had a previous three-year stint as the head coach in Tampa Bay.
In addition to Quinn and Morris, the list of Commanders head coach candidates includes:
Washington Commanders
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/20
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Mentioned as candidate
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/19; top target?
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): To interview 1/21
- Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach (Ravens): Interviewed 1/11
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/23/24
Today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Buffalo Bills
- DT Eli Ankou, QB Shane Buechele, RB Darrynton Evans
Minnesota Vikings
- CB A.J. Green
New York Giants
- WR Chase Cota, C Jimmy Morrissey
Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB Kalon Barnes, DB Thomas Graham, LB Tyler Murray, LB David Perales, CB Josiah Scott
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DL C.J. Brewer, OT Silas Dzansi, OL Luke Haggard, CB Keenan Isaac, WR Cephus Johnson, RB Patrick Laird, S Richard LeCounte, WR Ryan Miller, CB Quandre Mosely, LB Jose Ramirez, G Logan Stenberg, TE Tanner Taula, WR Raleigh Webb, TE David Wells
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/23/24
A few practice squad moves to pass along:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Matt Farniok, RB Jake Funk
- Placed on IR: RB Jermar Jefferson
- Released: LB Raymond Johnson
Bengals To Interview Andy Dickerson For OC Job
The Bengals are starting to look outside the organization to replace Brian Callahan. According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Bengals interviewed Seahawks offensive line coach Andy Dickerson for their offensive coordinator job.
[RELATED: Titans To Hire Brian Callahan As Head Coach]
Dickerson has been coaching in the NFL for more than 20 years, including a nine-year stint as the Rams assistant OL coach. He’s spent the past three seasons in Seattle, serving as the team’s offensive run game coordinator before pivoting to OL coach in 2022. During his first season leading the offensive line, he guided rookies Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas to productive seasons in front of a rejuvenated Geno Smith.
With Pete Carroll out in Seattle, the Seahawks allowed his staffers to look elsewhere for jobs. Dickerson has started to emerge as a popular candidate on the OC carousel; the coach is set to interview with the Browns about their open gig.
The Titans are expected to hire Callahan as their new head coach, forcing Bengals HC Zac Taylor to hire a coordinator for the first time since he joined the organization in 2019. Quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher was viewed as a clear successor at offensive coordinator, but he’s set to interview for that same role elsewhere.
Falcons’ Bill Belichick Pursuit Losing Momentum?
Bill Belichick was considered the favorite for the Falcons head coaching job, even as the team continued to add candidates to their interview process. While some assumed the organization was simply biding time before ultimately hiring Belichick, that may not be the case.
[RELATED: Bill Belichick Viewed As Top Falcons HC Candidate]
Josh Kendall of The Athletic writes that the “Belichick candidacy has lost momentum” over the past week, with sources telling him that the organization’s “Belichick or bust” mentality was inaccurate.
As Kendall details, there were plenty of worthy reasons to assume Belichick was the front runner. For starters, he’s the only known candidate to meet a second time with the organization (the team has requested second interviews with other candidates), and the iconic head coach hasn’t taken any reported meetings with other teams. Those factors, coupled with owner Arthur Blank‘s penchant for big-name hunting and the organization’s decision to let defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen leave for the Jaguars, made it seem like Belichick was a shoo-in for the job.
On the flip side, the Falcons have cast the widest net in the NFL as they search for their next head coach, with 13 candidates interviewing for the job (and a 14th, Mike Vrabel, set to interview this week). You could explain away some of the initial candidates as placeholders until Belichick’s situation in New England was resolved. But the Falcons have continued to add candidates to the list, even after Belichick’s second interview.
So, since the Falcons may not be waiting around for an inevitable Belichick addition, their head coaching search will continue indefinitely. Kendall cautions that a move probably won’t be made this week, and he adds that the search could extend beyond the Super Bowl if the Falcons are targeting a conference-winning coach.
As for Belichick, it doesn’t sound like the Falcons will be his only option. In fact, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com passes along that “multiple” teams are considering making a run at Belichick. This includes one team that currently has an opening, a grouping that includes the Panthers, Chargers, Seahawks, and Commanders. Interestingly, Florio notes that a team considering a Belichick pursuit is still employing a head coach, a potential twist in the sweepstakes.
Coordinator Notes: Pitcher, Robinson, Williams, Kelly
Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher appears to be a clear successor to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who is set to become the Titans head coach. However, that inside shot at the Cincy gig won’t stop Pitcher from taking coordinator interviews elsewhere.
[RELATED: 2024 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker]
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pitcher is set to meet with the Patriots virtually tomorrow before meeting in-person with the Raiders tomorrow night. Pitcher is then expected to meet with the Saints on Thursday. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, Pitcher actually already met virtually with the Saints and is scheduled for an in-person second interview on Thursday.
The Raiders connection is also notable. As Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network points out, Marvin Lewis is expected to be on the Raiders coaching staff, and it was Lewis who gave Pitcher his first NFL job.
Considering the success of Joe Burrow, it’s not a surprise that Pitcher is in line for a promotion. The SUNY Cortland product has spent the past four seasons as the Bengals quarterbacks coach, and he’s been with the organization since 2016.
For what it’s worth, Pitcher signed an extension with the Bengals last offseason. However, that deal surely won’t stop the coach from pursuing a promotion elsewhere, although there’s a chance that opportunity comes in Cincinnati.
More coordinator notes from around the NFL…
- Rams passing-game coordinator Zac Robinson has generated more offensive coordinator interviews. According to Breer, both the Steelers and Raiders have requested interviews with Robinson regarding their OC vacancies. Robinson has been connected to the majority of the OC openings in the NFL. He’s set to interview with the Patriots and Saints, and he was a candidate for the Bears job before they hired Shane Waldron. Robinson has spent his entire coaching career in Los Angeles, working his way up from assistant quarterbacks coach to passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
- Titans assistant head coach/defensive line coach Terrell Williams will interview for the Bears defensive coordinator job, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Following stints as the Raiders and Dolphins defensive line coach, Williams took the same job with the Bears in 2018. He’s spent the past six years in that role, and he earned a promotion to assistant head coach this past season. Williams’ future in Tennessee is unclear considering the team’s decision to fire Mike Vrabel following the season. Williams joins a growing list of Bears defensive coordinator candidates, a grouping that includes fellow Titans coach Chris Harris.
- A notable name could emerge as an offensive coordinator candidate. Sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that Chip Kelly has been mentioned as an offensive coordinator possibility by a handful of head coaching candidates. As a result, several organizations have already started doing their due diligence on the former Eagles and 49ers head coach. Kelly has been the head coach at UCLA since 2018, and he recently signed an extension that will keep him with the school through at least the 2027 season.
Chargers Interview Dawn Aponte For GM Job
While teams generally look at rival front offices for their GM candidates, the Chargers are currently considering someone from the league office. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chargers interviewed NFL chief football administrative officer Dawn Aponte for their general manager job.
Of course, Aponte does have plenty of experience in team front offices. She had a long stint with the Jets organization to begin her executive career, working her way up to senior director of football administration. After a subsequent three-year stint in the league office, she became the Browns vice president of football administration in 2009.
Following two years in Cleveland, Aponte was named the Dolphins senior vice president of football operations in 2010. She spent seven years in Miami, eventually earning a promotion to executive vice president of football administration. She was hired into her current role with the NFL in 2017, making her the highest-ranking woman in NFL football operations.
While this is Aponte’s first known interview for a GM job, this isn’t the first time she’s been connected to this type of gig. Earlier this offseason, she was mentioned as a potential candidate for the Commanders job, and she was also connected to the Giants job in 2022.
With Aponte earning an interview, the Chargers have now interviewed nine candidates for the job previously held by Tom Telesco:
- Brandon Brown, assistant general manager (Giants): Interviewed 1/11
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): Interviewed 1/14
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interviewed 1/17
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Interviewed 1/16
- Joe Hortiz, director of player personnel (Ravens): Interviewed 1/13
- Jeff Ireland, assistant general manager (Saints): Interviewed 1/17
- Jeff King, co-director of player personnel (Bears): Interviewed 1/19
- JoJo Wooden, interim general manager (Chargers): Interviewed 1/11
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/22/24
Today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Buffalo Bills
- CB Kyron Brown, DE Kameron Cline, OL Richard Gouraige, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, WR Andy Isabella, OL Kevin Jarvis, TE Tre’ McKitty, WR Tyrell Shavers, WR Bryan Thompson, S Kendall Williamson
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- LB Keshawn Banks, S Tyler Coyle, WR Grant DuBose, DL Jonathan Ford, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Anthony Johnson, QB Alex McGough, RB Ellis Merriweather, LB Arron Mosby, LB Kenneth Odumegwu, FB Henry Pearson, WR Thyrick Pitts, T Kadeem Telfort, TE Joel Wilson
Houston Texans
- DT McTelvin Agim, WR Alex Bachman, QB Tim Boyle, RB Gerrid Doaks, DE Ali Gaye, S Brandon Hill, WR Johnny Johnson III, TE Dalton Keene, CB Troy Pride, RB J.J. Taylor, OT Jaylon Thomas, WR Jared Wayne
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- OT Silas Dzansi, CB Keenan Isaac, RB Patrick Laird, CB Quandre Moseley, TE Tanner Taula, WR Raleigh Webb