Titans Owner Amy Adams Strunk Will Give ‘Final Blessing’ In HC Search
11:45am: The Titans have rounded out their group of executives who will participate in initial interviews, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. A list that unsurprisingly includes Brinker and assistant GM Dave Ziegler. Vice president/football advisor Reggie McKenzie – a former Raiders linebacker and general manager – will also join, as will vice president of player personnel Dan Saganey.
10:35am: Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk announced a front office reshuffle in Tennessee on Friday, but she is expected to remain a part of the team’s search for a new head coach.
Both Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker are remaining in their respective positions as general manager and president of football operations, but Borgonzi will lead the hiring process in the coming weeks.
The Titans will conduct virtual interviews with about a dozen candidates, per Titans insider Paul Kuharsky. Strunk will not sit in on those interviews, though she may review them for in-person interviews of the team’s shortlist. Those she will attend.
This largely resembles the team’s approach to landing on Borgonzi last offseason. Brinker led that process, but Borgonzi received approval from Strunk before the hiring was made official. Similarly, she will give a “final blessing” for the Titans’ new head coach.
The extent of Strunk’s input on the Titans’ new coach remains to be seen. She has not been afraid to impose her will on the franchise when it comes to coaching and front office decisions, all the way down to specific moves regarding specific players. That was a source of friction with Mike Vrabel, who did a lot with a little in Tennessee, and ultimately led to his removal.
As a result, head coaching candidates may be wary of Strunk’s tendency to impose her will on the team. They may use their interviews to gauge compatibility not just with Borgonzi and Brinker, but Strunk as well.
Ravens Sign NT John Jenkins To Extension
The Ravens have signed veteran nose tackle John Jenkins to a contract extension, per a team announcement.
The deal is worth around $2.1MM, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a slight raise over the $1.75MM deal that brought him to Baltimore this past offseason. The 36-year-old has emerged as a key part of the Ravens’ defensive line rotation this season, appearing in every game with 13 starts and a 46% snap share. His contributions have helped keep the unit afloat after losing Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington to injury early in the year.
Jenkins is a 13-year veteran who will be one of the league’s oldest non-quarterback or -specialists next season. Originally a Saints third-round pick in 2013, he earned a starting role by his third year in the NFL but was released before the end of his fourth. He then bounced around the league with one-year stints with the Seahawks, Bears, Giants, and Dolphins. He then returned to Chicago in 2020 before settling in Miami for two seasons. Jenkins then signed with the Raiders in 2023 and started every game over the next two seasons.
Jenkins is the second Ravens nose tackle to receive an extension this winter; Travis Jones was rewarded with a three-year deal last month. Both will return to Baltimore’s defensive line in 2026 alongside current rookie Aeneas Peebles, but the outlooks for Madubuike and Washington are unclear. Madubuike’s season-ending neck injury has stirred significant concern about his future in the NFL, while Washington could be a cap casualty as he enters the last year of his contract. The team will certainly be able to keep C.J. Okoye on an exclusive rights free agent contract, but he has yet to cement himself as a long-term contributor.
Still, it is possible that Jenkins’ abilities fall of a cliff when he enters his 14th NFL season. He has, however, improved over the course of his career and put up his best three seasons in the last three years. This deal could age poorly, but it accordingly comes at a reasonable price tag. Jenkins is an established veteran who will continue to bring leadership and experience to the Ravens’ defensive line room, which could be especially important if they have to remake the unit this offseason.
Dan Campbell Endorses Kelvin Sheppard
Despite the regression of the Lions defense under Kelvin Sheppard, head coach Dan Campbell signaled his support for his first-year defensive coordinator this week.
“‘Shep’ has really grown this year,” Campbell said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I think with any first-time coordinator, first-time coach, you go through a lot and you learn along the way.”
Sheppard had a tough task this year. Aaron Glenn left some big shoes to fill when he departed for New York, and Detroit’s defense has been decimated by injuries over the past few months. The secondary has been particularly devastated, with star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph and cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw all spending time on injured reserve. Branch, Joseph, Arnold, and Rakestraw all saw their seasons end early and were not available down the stretch as the Lions lost four of their last five games and missed the playoffs.
“There’s always going to be things that you learn from this job, but I like Shep,” Campbell added.
Campbell also offered some words of support for quarterback Jared Goff after a rough performance against the Vikings in Week 17 contributed to the Lions’ elimination from postseason contention.
“We’re fortunate to have him as a quarterback,” Campbell said. “He’s a winning quarterback in this league. He played at a very high level all season long. He played even better than he played the year before, and he’s continued to play better.”
Statistically, Goff may have slightly regressed from last year, but he still led the Lions to the third-most points and the sixth-most yards in the league. Among qualified quarterbacks, he ranked second in touchdowns (33), third in yards (4,233) and passer rating (107.0), fourth in interception rate (1.3%), fifth in completion percentage (68.3%), and eighth in yards per attempt (7.9). This all happened after the departure of Ben Johnson, one of the league’s foremost offensive minds who built the Lions elite offense practically from the ground up.
In other words, Goff is still producing like a top-10 quarterback and is “going nowhere,” per Campbell.
Mike McCarthy, Antonio Pierce Among Giants’ HC Candidates
The Giants’ head-coaching search informally started immediately after firing Brian Daboll, but recent discussions have created an initial list of candidates to interview, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
Several coaches are already known to be on the Giants’ radar, including Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, and Browns HC Kevin Stefanski. Giants interm HC Mike Kafka is also expected to interview with the team after auditioning for the full-time job since Daboll’s removal.
Interview requests will be much stronger indications of the Giants’ interest. Their lengthy list of candidates is primarily focused on former head coaches and current coordinator, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
The formal interview process has technically already begun, as candidates not employed by an NFL team can interview right away. Former Packers and Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy and and former Raiders HC Antonio Pierce are on the Giants’ list. Pierce, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, played in New York for five seasons and earned a Pro Bowl nod and a Super Bowl ring in the process. That connection to the franchise – as with Jets HC Aaron Glenn – could give Pierce a leg up in the Giant’s hiring process, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
For coaches currently working for an NFL team, interview requests must wait until the regular season ends. The Giants’ interest seems to be focused on defensive coordinators, as Hafley (Packers), Vance Joseph (Broncos), Chris Shula (Rams), and Jesse Minter (Chargers) are all expected to receive interview requests. Hafley, a New Jersey native, in particular “seems to have some traction in New York,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Any coach for a non-playoff team can be interviewed as soon as Week 18 concludes. If the Broncos secure a first-round bye, Joseph (and any other coaches employed by a team with a bye) can only be virtually interviewed until the end of the wild card round. Coaches without a bye can be interviewed until the end of the divisional round. After the divisional round, teams can begin in-person interviews with coaches for teams eliminated by the playoffs.
Other coaches who have an “outside chance” to be interviewed by the Giants include Texans DC Matt Burke and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, per Raanan. Current head coaches that are fired at the end of the season, especially Stefanski, could also be considered by the Giants. They could also seek to follow the wave of hiring young offensive coordinators from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree such as Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown or Jaguars OC Grant Udinski.
Rams S Quentin Lake Extended, Designated For Return From IR
6:31PM: In addition to extending Lake today, the Rams announced that he has been designated to return from injured reserve. After missing the team’s last six games, the window is now open for Lake to return in time for the regular season finale in Los Angeles.
2:17PM: The Rams signed fourth-year safety Quentin Lake to a contract extension, per a team announcement.
The deal is worth up to $42MM over three years with $25.7MM guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Lake, a 2022 fifth-round pick, was set to hit free agency this offseason but will now be under contract in Los Angeles through the 2028 season.
The 26-year-old primarily played special teams as a rookie before carving out a role in the slot in 2023. He then broke out last year as a versatile piece of the Rams’ secondary with 511 snaps in the slot, 398 as a free safety, and 244 in the box, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). This season, he has been the primary nickel in Los Angeles and ranks 12th in the league with 0.80 yards allowed per snap out of the slot (via PFF).
Lake’s contract ranks 11th among NFL safeties in terms of guaranteed money, per OverTheCap. The base value of his deal is unknown, but his maximum APY of $14MM would also rank 11th. That is a solid raise over Lake’s Day 3 rookie contract while also being a strong value for the team after the safety market rose above $25.1MM this offseason. Lake’s versatility is especially valuable to a Rams front office that does not invest a lot into their secondary. They can now approach the offseason hunting for value in free agency and the draft knowing that Lake can take on whatever role is needed to fill out the unit.
Extending Lake likely means that the Rams will not retain veteran safety Kamren Curl, whose contract expires at the end of the season. He will join a free agent class that no longer includes Lake, but does have a number of other rising talents like Jaquan Brisker and Ronnie Hickman, among others. Of course, other teams will likely seek to retain their top pending free agents before the offseason begins, so the ranks of available safeties could dwindle by the time free agency actually approaches.
Cardinals Place DT Walter Nolen, CB Garrett Williams On Injured Reserve
JANUARY 1: Both Nolen and Williams have undergone surgery, Gannon said (via Urban). Gannon declined to confirm whether or not Nolen suffered an ACL tear, but in any case his attention will be focused on rehabbing during the offseason.
DECEMBER 30: Nolen underwent surgery on his left knee, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. Neither the severity nor extent of the injury have yet to be reported.
DECEMBER 22: The Cardinals are placing defensive tackle Walter Nolen and cornerback Garrett Williams on injured reserve, head coach Jonathan Gannon (via team reporter Darren Urban).
Both defenders went down in Arizona’s loss to the Falcons in Sunday. Nolen suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee, while Williams is believed to have suffered an Achilles tear. Gannon only confirmed the areas that were injured for each player but did not elaborate on the specifics.
Nolen, 22, was drafted in the first round of April’s draft (No. 16 overall), but spent the first eight weeks of the season on the PUP list with an calf issue. He debuted in In Week 12, Nolen went down with a knee injury early in the game and missed the next two contests. It is unknown if he injured the same knee on Sunday afternoon.
Nolen has only played 169 snaps this year, so the Cardinals defense is used to playing without him. They have five other defensive tackles on the roster who could fill the rotation for the rest of the year, thought they could call on Zachary Carter or Wyatt Bowles from their practice squad.
Williams, 24, took over the Cardinals’ slot cornerback job midway through his 2023 rookie season. He carried that role into 2024 and allowed completions on just 56.5% of his targets. He also finished as the league’s 10th-ranked cornerback with 5.3 yards per target.
That performance built hype for his third-year effort, but he landed on injured reserve after just two games with a knee injury. Williams missed five games and returned to the field in November, but he has not been able to replicate last season’s results. He has allowed a 79.3% completion rate and 8.3 yards per target as part of a Cardinals defense that has generally struggled to stop opposing offenses this year.
Arizona moved safety Jalen Thompson into the slot during Williams’ absence earlier this year and brought Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in to fill Thompson’s snaps. The Cardinals could use the same approach or reconfigure their secondary to give younger defensive backs some playing time at the end of the season.
Ravens ‘Very Optimistic’ That Lamar Jackson Plays In Week 18
JANUARY 1: Jackson said on Thursday that he will “100%” play in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. He will likely take the field with extra protection for his back.
DECEMBER 31: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 18, an extremely encouraging sign for his availability for Sunday’s win-or-go-home matchup with the Steelers.
Jackson went down in Week 15 with a severe back contusion that held him out of practice last week. He was listed as doubtful and did not play on Saturday night against the Packers. Backup Tyler Huntley filled in and confidently commanded the offense to a 41-24 victory. Most of the credit goes to Derrick Henry, who finished with 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns, but Huntley made plays whenever they needed to be made. He completed 80% of his passes, converted a number of key first downs through the air, and added 60 yards on eight rushing attempts.
Head coach John Harbaugh said that he was “very optimistic” about Jackson’s status, adding that the two-time MVP’s status improved throughout last week. He was seen at Wednesday’s practice wearing some kind of protective equipment, per Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun.
Obviously, Jackson taking the field would be a major boost for the Ravens offense. Though they can continue to lean on Henry, Jackson is undoubtedly a better passer than Huntley and his availability would open up the offense to its full complement of plays. The Ravens rushed for 217 yards in their first meeting with the Steelers a few weeks ago, so offensive coordinator Todd Monken should be motivated to stick with the run either way.
Huntley’s success against the Packers on Saturday and the Bears in Week 8 indicates that Baltimore’s offense would still be in good hands if Jackson cannot go. That would be Jackson’s fourth absence of the season and Huntley’s third start.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Not Committed To Retirement
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers entered the 2025 season believing it would be in last, but his comments on Wednesday indicate that he is still open to playing in 2026.
Rodgers spoke about his future this week and acknowledged the obvious: he is 42 years old and is not under contract for next season. This is a change from his previous stance in June – after he signed with the Steelers – when Rodgers was “pretty sure” he would retire after the season. He also noted that he signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh for that reason. His words on Wednesday indicate, at at minimum, that he has not made up his mind.
If Rodgers were to play in 2026, the main question would be where. He believes that he would have options if he decides to keep playing, which could include the Steelers. He expressed his satisfaction with the organization on Wednesday, which could play a factor in his decision.
“I’ve enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field,” Rodgers said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “And it’s really what I was hoping for this experience was, it’s been even better than I was hoping.”
Running it back with the Steelers would, of course, mean that the team wants to continue the partnership as well. They appear to be open to the idea. Otherwise, it is hard to know which teams, if any, would be interested in Rodgers.
Rodgers mentioned a few other factors in his decision, including his wife’s insight and his physical ability to keep playing. He may also want to end his career on a better note, especially if the Steelers miss the playoffs with a loss to the Ravens on Sunday night. In general, he putting up similar stats to last season’s numbers with the Jets, but he is also on pace for his fewest yards per game as a starter.
“Anytime you’re in a first-year offense, there’s always some growing pains within the offense,” Rodgers said. “It’s always like, you feel like, if you had another year, what you could do.”
The Steelers offense has been middling at best this year, but it is their first year with Rodgers under center and D.K. Metcalf out wide. The running game has not thrived, and Rodgers has not had a reliable No. 2 receiver to target. Pittsburgh is always interested in wide receivers and the prospect of adding one or two this offseason could inspire Rodgers to come back.
It is also worth noting the past media circuses around Rodgers’ decisions about if and where he will play in the future. If he does decide to return for the 2026 season – his 22nd in the NFL – the process could drag out as it has in years past.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/31/25
Several teams made practice squad moves on the final day of the 2025 calendar year. Here are the latest updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Patrick Jenkins
Chicago Bears
- Activated from practice squad/injured list: TE Nikola Kalinic
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Karsen Barnhart, CB Tyron Herring, QB Desmond Ridder
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Solomon Byrd
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Sincere McCormick
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from practice squad/injured list: QB Hunter Dekkers
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LS Charley Hughlett
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: TE Jaheim Bell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Josh Williams
Washington Commanders
- Signed: G Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, DE D.J. Johnson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/25
Several NFL teams completed minor transactions on New Year’s Eve to prepare their rosters for Week 18. Here are the latest updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return from IR: S DeMarcco Hellams
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: LB Noah Sewell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from the Lions’ practice squad: C Kingsley Eguakun
- Placed on IR: G Wyatt Teller
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: S Johnathan Baldwin, QB Clayton Tune
- Placed on IR: S Zayne Anderson
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Austin Keys
New England Patriots
- Designated for return from IR: CB Alex Austin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: OL Jack Driscoll
- Placed on IR: TE Darnell Washington (story)
Washington Commanders
- Placed on IR: C Tyler Biadasz
- Signed from practice squad: OL Julian Good-Jones
Sewell suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers, ending his 2025 season and starting a length rehab process for the third-year linebacker.
Teller aggravated a calf injury on Sunday against the Steelers. He will miss the Browns’ last game of the season and is set to hit free agency this offseason. After seven years in Cleveland, Teller may need to find a new home this offseason.
Washington underwent surgery on his broken arm on Tuesday, per The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. The third-year tight end will not be able to return in the playoffs if the Steelers qualify.