NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/21/25
Today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Atlanta Falcons
- WR David Sills
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Corey Bullock, WR Malik Cunningham, G Darrian Dalcourt, LB William Kwenkeu, QB Devin Leary, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DE Adedayo Odeleye, DT C.J. Okoye, DE C.J. Ravenell, WR Dayton Wade
Carolina Panthers
- LB Carlos Basham, TE James Mitchell
Detroit Lions
- WR Ronnie Bell
Philadelphia Eagles
- TE Cameron Latu
Pittsburgh Steelers
- DB Cameron McCutcheon
San Francisco 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DE Adam Gotsis, P Jake Julien
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/21/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: QB Anthony Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: WR Elijah Cooks
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/21/25
One minor move to pass along:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Extended: TE Cam Grandy
It’s a one-year extension for Cam Grandy, who can now avoid exclusive rights free agency and stick with the Bengals through the offseason. As a 24-year-old undrafted rookie, Grandy started six of his eight appearances in 2024, hauling in five catches. He also got into more than a quarter of his team’s special teams snaps.
Terrell Williams Favorite For Patriots DC Job?
Mike Vrabel has already found his new offensive coordinator. Now, it sounds like the new Patriots head coach is zeroing in on his defensive coordinator. According to Matt Zenitz CBS Sports, the Patriots are targeting Lions DL coach Terrell Williams for their DC gig.
[RELATED: Patriots To Hire Josh McDaniels As OC]
Albert Breer of TheMMQB provides some more insight, noting that the Patriots requested and were granted permission to interview Williams. The Patriots have also spoken to the coach (although it sounds like conversation this was more informal than an official interview), and people within the Lions organization are expecting Williams to head east.
Williams was one of Vrabel’s most-trusted lieutenants during their time in Tennessee, where Williams served as assistant head coach in addition to his duties as defensive line coach. The duo worked alongside each other for their entire five-year stint with the Titans, and that relationship automatically made Williams a name-to-watch for the Patriots DC gig.
Over his five years as the Titans DL coach, the team allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards in the NFL. The coach was credited with the development of Denico Autry, who compiled at least eight sacks in three-straight seasons, and former first-round pick Jeffery Simmons, who earned a pair of All-Pro nods under Williams’ tutelage. After the Titans cleaned house last offseason, Williams joined the Lions as their run-game coordinator/defensive line coach.
While the fate of Jerod Mayo‘s staff was uncertain, it seemed pretty clear that Vrabel would look to bring in his own coaches. DeMarcus Covington was New England’s DC in 2024, with the Patriots ranking just outside the bottom-10 in points allowed and yards allowed.
Bears Denied Meeting With Steelers HC Mike Tomlin
The Bears continue to leave no stone unturned in their search for a new head coach. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears reached out to the Steelers about head coach Mike Tomlin.
Specifically, the Bears asked if they “would be allowed to talk to and potentially try to trade” for Tomlin. That inquiry was ultimately rebuffed by the Steelers. The Bears apparently weren’t the only team to ask about Tomlin; per Schefter, another squad checked in with the Steelers.
While the Steelers would obviously have a major say in a potential Tomlin ouster, it sounds like the coach also has the ability to control his future. Per Schefter, Tomlin possesses a no-trade clause, so any potential suitors would face multiple hurdles if they were serious about a pursuit.
The Bears have been especially aggressive in their search for a new head coach. The team has interviewed or requested an interview with some of this cycle’s most popular candidates, ranging from hot shot coordinators like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to long-time head coach Pete Carroll. The team has even looked towards the college ranks, with a recent report indicating that the Bears wanted to interview Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman.
As our 2025 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker shows, the Bears have either interviewed or requested interviews with 17 candidates, and there are a handful of additional options that have been connected to the organization. Considering the team’s wide search, it isn’t a surprise that they took a swing at Tomlin. This report also indicates that the Bears wouldn’t be shy about making a trade for a HC. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin notes that Bears GM Ryan Poles was apparently sincere when he said the team would “look at all avenues to get the best coach” in Chicago.
Tomlin would represent one of the most experienced and accomplished coaching options for the Bears. He’s served as the Steelers head coach since the 2007 campaign, and he’s famously never had a losing season during his 18 years in Pittsburgh. This run has included 12 playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl championship during his second season on the sideline. More recently, the veteran coach has drawn criticism for the Steelers’ lack of postseason success. The team has made the playoffs in four of the past five years, with each of those appearances resulting in a one-and-done showing.
Patriots Notes: Glaser, Coaching Changes, Bowen
As the Patriots kick off a new era under Mike Vrabel, they’ll do so without a long-time executive. Robyn Glaser, New England’s executive vice president of football business, informed the organization that she is resigning, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Glaser plans to work for the organization through mid-February.
[RELATED: Mike Vrabel To Control Patriots’ Roster?]
Glaser has spent nearly two decades in New England, starting as a senior adviser to ownership in 2007. She gradually climbed the organizational ladder before earning the role of “senior vice president, business affairs and chief administrative officer of football” in 2022. As Reiss explains, Glaser was tasked with “all league business and legal relations, including league compliance.” Glaser took on even more responsibility (and media scrutiny) in 2024 when she was named a senior adviser to Jerod Mayo.
While this departure will open a significant hole in New England’s front office, Vrabel is actively clearing his coaching staff as he prepares for new hires. Reiss passes along a number of staff members who won’t be back with the Patriots in 2025: Bob Bicknell (tight ends), Taylor Embree (running backs), Tyler Hughes (wide receivers), Keith Jones (defensive coaching assistant), Joe Kim (director of skill development), and Tiquan Underwood (assistant wide receivers).
Per Reiss, Vrabel has started the process of interviewing potential candidates for his staff. We’ve already heard that the organization is eyeing Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady and interim Bears HC Thomas Brown for their OC job, and the team is also considering old friend Josh McDaniels. While the Patriots have only been connected to OC interviews, it sounds like they’re also considering options on defense. Connor Hughes of SNY.tv believes Vrabel is looking to bring Shane Bowen to New England.
Vrabel and Bowen worked alongside each other during their stops in Houston, and Vrabel brought Bowen along to Tennessee. The assistant eventually worked his way up to the defensive coordinator job during the duo’s final three seasons with the organization. After the Titans cleaned house last offseason, Bowen was hired as the Giants new defensive coordinator.
Falcons Interview Matt Eberflus For Defensive Coordinator Job
It might not take long for Matt Eberflus to find his next gig. The Falcons announced that they interviewed the former Bears head coach for their defensive coordinator job.
After getting fired by the Bears in late November, it didn’t take long for Eberflus to pop back up during the hiring cycle. Reports tied him to the DC vacancy in Cincinnati, although there hasn’t been word of a definitive interview. Now, he’s a candidate with the Falcons, who have been seeking a replacement for Jimmy Lake.
Eberflus would bring plenty of experience to the role. After working his way up the college ranks, he got his first NFL gig with the Browns coaching linebackers. He held that same title with the Cowboys before getting hired as the Colts defensive coordinator in 2018. Indy’s defense finished top-10 in points allowed in three of the coach’s four seasons at the helm, and Eberflus quickly became a popular head coaching candidate.
He got that opportunity in Chicago, where he was named the Bears head coach in 2022. Eberflus squeezed only three wins out of his team during his first season, but he guided the squad to seven wins in 2023. Armed with first-overall pick Caleb Williams and a handful of notable offseason acquisitions, the Bears were prepared to take another step forward in 2024. After riding a 4-2 record into their Week 7 bye, the Bears proceeded to go on an epic losing streak. Eberflus was let go six games into the Bears’ eventual 10-game skid.
It sounds like Eberflus’ stint in Chicago didn’t tarnish his reputation, and he’ll now join a growing list of candidates to coach the Falcons’ defense. As our 2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker shows, the Falcons have now interviewed seven candidates for the DC job:
- Lou Anarumo, former defensive coordinator (Cincinnati Bengals): Interviewed 1/15
- Derrick Ansley, pass-game coordinator (Atlanta Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Grady Brown, secondary coach (Pittsburgh Steelers): Interviewed 1/17
- Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed 1/14
- Jeff Ulbrich, interim head coach (New York Jets): Interviewed 1/15
- Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (San Francisco 49ers): Interviewed 1/17
Jets Planning Second Round Of GM Interviews
The Jets are set to kick off the next step of their wide-ranging GM search. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets are currently planning a second round of interviews for their general manager job.
Barring a late addition, the Jets’ first round of GM interviews included 15 individuals. One of those initial candidates is now off the market, as the Titans hired Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi for their top job. Cimini notes that Borgonzi was a strong candidate for New York’s gig.
Still, that would leave 14 potential candidates for the Jets job, and the organization shouldn’t be worried about another executive getting away. Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the team’s GM candidates view the organization’s outlook “more positively than the public.” Of course, with only the Jets and Raiders jobs currently open, these candidates can’t be overly picky about their landing spot. Still, it’s at least encouraging that any recent chaos in New York hasn’t dissuaded future GMs.
Schultz reaffirms that the Jets’ next general manager (along with the team’s future HC addition) will ultimately determine Aaron Rodgers‘ fate in New York. The quarterback also hinted that his future with the organization will be dependent on the Jets’ new regime.
“I think everybody understands that it’s going to come down to a GM and a coach and myself and whether we all want to do a dance together or if it’s not in the cards,” Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” (via Cimini).
As our GM tracker shows, the Jets’ current list of GM candidates includes:
- Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8; hired by Titans
- Trey Brown, senior personnel executive (Bengals): Interviewed 1/11
- Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): Interviewed 12/16
- Ray Farmer, senior personnel executive (Rams): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Gaine, assistant general manager (Bills): Interviewed 1/14
- Mike Greenberg, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/10
- Ryan Grigson, senior vice president of player personnel (Vikings): Interviewed 1/11
- Alec Halaby, assistant general manager (Eagles): Interviewed 1/8
- Darren Mougey, assistant general manager (Broncos): Interviewed 1/11
- Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl director: Interviewed 12/19
- Lance Newmark, assistant general manager (Commanders): Interviewed 1/11
- Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed 1/2
- Jon Robinson, former general manager (Titans): Interviewed 12/17
- Chris Spielman, special assistant to president/CEO (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
Chiefs Activate CB Jaylen Watson From IR
JANUARY 17: Watson has indeed been activated, per a team announcement. He will be in line to handle a significant workload on Saturday and beyond if the Chiefs manage another deep postseason run.
JANUARY 16: Jaylen Watson is expected to return from IR just in time for the Chiefs’ playoff opener. According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, the Chiefs are expected to activate their starting cornerback before Saturday’s divisional round matchup with the Texans.
Watson suffered a fractured fibula and tibia back in Week 7 that was expected to knock him out for the rest of the season. Instead, the former seventh-round pick has worked his way back in just a few months. Watson was a full participant at practice on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and Taylor believes the 26-year-old could play a majority of his team’s snaps this weekend. Of course, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was quick to caution that his CB will need to knock off any rust.
“I think these next two (practices) will be really important,” Spagnuolo said (via Taylor). “He needs to get up to the speed of the game — and it’s not regular-season speed. It’s playoff speed.”
After serving as a rotational defensive back through his first two years in the league, Watson took on a larger role in 2023. The cornerback started each of Kansas City’s first six games, appearing in 91 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. In those six appearances, Watson compiled 32 tackles and six passes defended, with Pro Football Focus grading him 30th among 117 qualifying cornerbacks.
As Taylor notes, Watson combined with All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie to limit opposing passers to a 60 percent completion percentage. When the likes of Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, and Chris Roland-Wallace filled in, that number jumped to 67 percent, so Watson should provide a boost to the team’s defense.
Coaching/Front Office Notes: 49ers, Packers, Giants, Bears
After moving on from special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, the 49ers have started looking at replacements. After meeting with Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins, the team has added two more candidates to the fray.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers have interview Broncos assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo for their ST coordinator vacancy. The long-time special teams ace ended his playing career following the 2022 campaign, and he quickly found post-career work in Denver. He’s spent the past two years serving as the Broncos assistant ST coach, and now he could take another career leap in San Francisco.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers also interviewed Chris Tabor for the job. Most recently, the veteran coach served as the Panthers interim head coach following the firing of Frank Reich. Before that, he spent a season-plus as the Panthers ST coordinator, a title he also held in stints with the Bears and Browns.
More coaching and front office notes from around the NFL…
- The Packers have parted ways with defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Rebrovich just took on the role this past season after previously serving as Green Bay’s OLBs coach. Brian Gutekunst hinted that changes could be coming, as the GM recently attributed the team’s DL struggles to scheme instead of personnel. The team isn’t wasting any time seeking a replacement, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers will interview Jets DL coach Aaron Whitecotton for the job. Whitecotton spent the past four seasons in the role, and he previously had stints with the 49ers, Bills, and Jaguars.
- The Giants have made some changes to their defensive coaching staff, firing defensive passing game coordinator/DB coach Jerome Henderson, per Garafolo. The Giants have also moved on from safeties coach Michael Treier. Henderson joined the organization as part of Joe Judge‘s initial Giants staff in 2020. As Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post notes, Brian Daboll‘s first coaching move was to retain Henderson, but the DB coach later drew some ire for his initial support (and later critiques) of Deonte Banks. Per Art Stapleton of USA Today, Marquand Manuel is a name to watch as a potential replacement for one of the vacant secondary roles. Manuel would bring plenty of experience, having once served as the Falcons defensive coordinator and most recently as the Jets safeties coach.
- One last firing to pass along. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears have let go of director of football analytics Krithi Chandrakasan. Following stints in Kansas City and Jacksonville, Chandrakasan was brought to Chicago by Ryan Poles in 2022.