Ravens Could Consider Coaching Changes This Offseason
The Ravens’ disappointing 2025 season has sparked speculation about the future of their coaching staff, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
While some fans believe that head coach John Harbaugh should be on his way out – especially if the Ravens miss the playoffs with a loss to the Steelers on Sunday night – the team may also consider changing out their coordinators.
Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has come under fire for a second year in a row. At the start of last season, his defense struggled to stop opposing quarterbacks, but bounced back after moving Kyle Hamilton back to a traditional safety role and inserting Ar’Darius Washington into the starting lineup alongside him. This year, Orr’s unit had a similarly rough start, including on run defense, which was not a problem for the Ravens in 2024 or years past. Injuries to key players like Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, and Nnamdi Madubuike compounded the issues, but the defense improved with better health after their Week 7 bye. The Ravens also acquired safety Alohi Gilman from the Chargers and moved Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage, which tightened their run defense, improved their pass rush, and increased their turnover production. Orr deserves credit for those and other adjustments.
In their last five games, though, Baltimore’s defense has allowed at least 27 points four times with particularly rough showings against quarterbacks Drake Maye and Malik Willis in the last two weeks. Though the secondary deserves their share of the blame for their lapses in coverage, the Ravens’ pass rush has been a problem all year. Trading for Gilman required giving up Odafe Oweh, arguably the team’s best edge rusher, and Madubuike’s season-ending injury deprived the defensive line of its best player.
In the middle of those five games, however, the Ravens pitched a dominant shutout against the Bengals that showed what their defense is capable of at its best. They should be able to contain Rodgers in Week 18, but a loss as the result of a poor defensive performance could raise some tough questions about Orr this offseason.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken is in a more complicated situation. He led the offense to very successful seasons in 2023 and 2024, which led to head coaching interviews and a contract extension in Baltimore. This year, his unit has clearly regressed. Lamar Jackson injuries have played a factor, but so have an inconsistent offensive line and some confounding decisions about Derrick Henry‘s usage. If Monken’s offense struggles in Pittsburgh and/or fizzles out in the playoffs, his future could be a topic of discussion in Baltimore as well.
Lions Could Explore Offseason OC Change
Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated that changes may be coming in Detroit after the team was eliminated from the playoffs on Christmas.
“I’m gonna be looking at a lot,” Campbell said (via Colton Pouncy of The Athletic).“I’m gonna be looking at a lot of things, because I do not like being home for the playoffs.”
Among them could be a change at offensive coordinator. Pass game coordinator John Morton took over the job after Ben Johnson left in the offseason. He got the Lions offense off to a hot start before slowing around midseason. Campbell took over play-calling in Week 10 and the unit bounced back. However, they could not carry a decimated Detroit defense into the playoffs.
Though the offense finished fourth in points and sixth in yards, Campbell could still consider swapping out his offensive coordinator this offseason, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. That would indicate he wants to hand play-calling duties back to another coach, which could also be a factor in attracting the best candidates. While the Lions’ job would be a step up for any offensive assistant, the availability of play-calling duties could draw coordinators who work under offensive head coaches and do not call plays. Those coordinators could jump at the chance to work with the Lions’ talented roster and strengthen their candidacy for a future head coaching gig.
An obvious wellspring of potential OC talent is in Chicago, where Johnson has quickly developed one of the league’s top offenses. He brought multiple assistants with him from Detroit, including wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett. Bears OC Declan Doyle also worked with Campbell in New Orleans, though the Bears could block Doyle from interviewing for the same position with the Lions.
Of course, Morton still played a role in the Lions’ offensive success in the past three years and may be more comfortable calling plays after going through some bumps in his debut year. Campbell could also decide to hold onto play-calling duties and keep Morton to run the rest of the offense.
Brian Flores’ Contract Expires After Season; Vikings Looking To Re-Up
Brian Flores‘ contract with the Vikings expires this offseason, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Unsurprisingly, the team would like to keep Flores in Minnesota, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. However, Flores is expected to receive interest in other head coaching jobs. He interviewed with the Bears, Jaguars, and Jets last offseason and has likely raised his stock further with the Vikings’ strong defensive showing this year.
Flores, 44, came aboard in 2023 and his unit finished 13th in scoring and 16th in total defense. The next year, they ranked fifth in the former and stayed at 16th in the latter. This season, the Vikings have surrendered just 4.8 yards per play and 292.7 yards per game, the fifth-lowest marks in the league, while their 20.6 points per game ranks 10th.
Flores’ blitz-heavy defense is uniquely suited to disrupt opposing passing games, which have averaged just 168.8 yards per game against Minnesota. His players have spoken glowingly of both the creativity of his scheme and his ability to implement and teach it.
Perceptions of Flores around the league may have changed in the wake of the Dolphins’ struggles over the last few years, Jones also noted. Clashes with owner Stephen Ross and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa signaled that Flores’ personality might not be conducive to a head coaching job, but it become clear that he was not the only – and perhaps not even the biggest – problem in Miami.
Flores’ ongoing class-action suit against the NFL and several teams is another factor in his candidacy for head coaching gigs. One of those teams is the Giants, who have one of the two current head coaching vacancies in the league, which immediately rules him out for that job. Others beyond the Titans’ could become available
Giants DL Coach Andre Patterson Battled Cancer This Season
Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson recently revealed (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan) that he has been battling prostate cancer this season.
He was diagnosed earlier this year and opted to continue coaching while undergoing treatment, though assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox was on hand for any of Patterson’s absences. Cox was fired at the beginning of December due in part to his objection to a seating rearrangement on the Giants’ plane home from their Week 13 loss in New England, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
Patterson, 65, has coached football for more than 40 years with time at the high school, college, and professional levels. He has been in New York since Brian Daboll was hired in 2022; prior to that, he spent 2014 to 2021 as the Vikings defensive line coach under Mike Zimmer. This is his 21st season coaching in the NFL.
Patterson shared his diagnosis with the Giants’ defensive line room, but not with the entire team. Players said that they did not notice a difference in Patterson’s energy or demeanor during his ordeal.
“There’s no drop-off. So he’s still the same dude,” defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris said. “If he didn’t tell us anything, we wouldn’t have known. That’s what kind of dude he is. There’s no drop-off. Like I said, he’s the same guy every day.”
Patterson revealed his diagnosis publicly to raise awareness about prostate cancer and encourage others to get checked. He has also used this personal struggle to teach his players.
“I tell my guys all the time, if all I do is teach you how to be a good football player, I’m cheating you,” Patterson said. “I have to help you with life’s journey. So we talk about things other than football a lot because my job is to also prepare them for what life is going to give them when they are no longer a football player.”
Panthers LB Trevin Wallace Underwent Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, head coach Dave Canales announced on Friday (via The Athletic’s Joe Person).
Wallace, 22, started 12 games for the Panthers this season. He missed Weeks 11 and 12 with a shoulder injury and returned in Week 13 before going down once more in Week 15. Even if Carolina wins the NFC South and makes the playoffs, Wallace’s surgery will not allow him to even attempt a speedy return in the postseason.
Carolina’s defense has statistically been better than their offense, and Wallace has played a large role in their success partnering with Christian Rozeboom in the middle of the defense. Wallace ranks fourth on the team in tackles (61), tackles for loss (five), passes defended (four), and sacks (two).
The 2024 third-round pick earned a starting role partway through his rookie year, but was sidelined for the last four weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury. It is unknown if Wallace’s shoulder problems are all related.
Canales said that third-year linebacker Claudin Cherelus would continue starting in Wallace’s place. He has 32 tackles on the year – 22 of which game in his three starts – but has not made many splash plays. He has particularly struggled in coverage, allowing receptions on 12 of his 13 targets for 155 yards (92.3% completion rate, 11.9 yards per attempt, 116.3 passer rating). Those issues may cause Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to take Cherelus off the field in obvious passing situations and run more dime packages with an additional safety.
Malik Willis Expected To Draw FA Interest; Updates On Packers QB Injuries
Packers quarterback Malik Willis is expected to draw heavy free agent interest this offseason, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The former Titans third-rounder did not show much in Tennessee, but he has found a grove in Green Bay over the last two years. Willis won both of his starts in 2024 and has generally played well when called upon. This year, he took a few snaps in Weeks 11 and 12 before an extended relief appearance last week after Jordan Love sustained a concussion. Willis completed eight of his 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions while adding 44 yards on the ground, though he could not lead a game-winning drive in overtime. The Packers offense has generally functioned smoothly with Willis under center.
That is why other teams will likely be interested this offseason. Willis himself may want a chance to compete for a starting job, which he will not get in Green Bay barring a significant injury to Love. A team looking for a quarterback could look to Willis as a bridge quarterback or reclamation project, perhaps to compete with a young passer for a starting job. Willis’ success in a McVay-style offense could be especially appealing to teams with similar offenses and/or a coach from McVay’s tree.
Unsurprisingly, the Packers would prefer to retain Willis as a high-end backup for exactly the situation that has come up this week. Love did not clear concussion protocol by the end of Green Bay’s practice week on Thursday, though he did progress though a few phases. He is also dealing with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. That positions Willis to start on Saturday against the Ravens, though he is dealing with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm as well as an illness. He is also listed as questionable, though he said earlier in the week (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) that he expects to play.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Unlikely To Play Vs. Packers
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is not expected to play in Baltimore’s Week 17 matchup against the Packers. He is officially listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report.
Jackson went down in Sunday night’s loss to the Patriots after taking a knee to the back late in the first half. He did not return to the game, and head coach John Harbaugh has since described the injury as a “serious back contusion.”
Jackson was initially considered day-to-day, but he could not practice at all this week. Harbaugh said that Jackson could play without practicing, which is why he is designated as doubtful instead of being ruled out.
Backup Tyler Huntley will make his second start of the season in Jackson’s stead. He started in Week 8 against the Bears and led the Ravens to a 30-16 victory over the Bears. That game has looked more and more impressive in hindsight with Chicago’s growing success this season. Huntley himself performed well, as he did in relief of Cooper Rush in Week 6 and Jackson against the Patriots. In fact, many wondered why the Ravens signed Rush and installed him as the backup in the first place rather than reuniting with Huntley earlier in the offseason.
The Ravens’ playoff hopes depend on winning in Green Bay on Saturday night. A loss would eliminate them from playoff contention, and Jackson’s absence is obviously a major detriment.
De’Von Achane Seeking Offseason Extension
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane said on Wednesday that he will pursue a contract extension with the Dolphins in the offseason, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Achane, 24, is in the third year of his rookie contract and will earn $1.5MM in 2026. He will be eligible for an extension next offseason.
The former Texas A&M standout was drafted in the third round (No. 84 overall) of the 2023 draft and has emerged as one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL over the last three years. Achane broke out as a rookie with 800 yards and eight touchdowns on only 103 carries (7.8 yards per carry) before emerging as a strong receiving threat in 2024. This year, he has 220 carries for 1,267 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 64 catches for 459 yards and four touchdowns.
Those results have created a strong extension case for the third-year running back. Achane leads the NFL with 5.8 yards per carry; the difference between him and James Cook (5.3 yards per carry) is the same as the difference between Cook and Javonte Williams in 13th place. His pass-catching abilities are especially valuable in the modern NFL.
Achane therefore has a case to be among the highest-paid running backs in the league. It may be difficult for him to surpass Saquon Barkley‘s $20.6MM but he still could still try to surpass Christian McCaffrey at $19MM. He has already demonstrated tremendous upside at a young age and the running back market could go up this offseason with Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker both set to hit free agency. At a minimum, those deals will raise the floor of Achane’s deal, while new contracts for Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson – both of whom will also be extension-eligible in the offseason – could significantly raise the ceiling.
The Dolphins may therefore be motivated to come to an agreement soon, but they have some arguments to limit his payday. His 5-foot-9, 191-pound frame was identified as a potential injury risk coming into the league, and those concerns materialized right away. Achane has dealt with multiple injuries in each year of his career, but only missed time in his rookie year. In 2024, he dealt with an ankle sprain and a concussion, and this year, he had a calf strain and a rib injury. He has played in every game in the last two years despite the injuries, but they remain a concern moving forward. Miami also has the option to use the franchise tag on Achane in 2027; that would almost certainly be cheaper than a long-term deal.
There is also the question of the future of head coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins more generally. The team has disappointed for a second year in a row, raising questions about their roster and leadership. General manager Chris Grier wanted to conduct a fire sale at the trade deadline; owner Stephen Ross disagreed and relieved him of his duties. McDaniel, however, seems poised to keep his job into 2026. Since the Dolphins’ offense is largely designed around Achane’s skillset, it makes sense that McDaniel not want to move him, especially heading into a pivotal season for the 42-year-old coach’s future in Miami.
The Dolphins still have the option to tag-and-trade Achane in 2027 if they decide to move on from McDaniel and rebuild, which may also disincentivize an early extension. However, Achane would fit in almost any offense, so Miami could plan to keep him no matter what. That, combined with Achane’s clear desire to upgrade his salary, might be enough for the two sides to come together on a long-term deal in the offseason.
Broncos Place C Luke Wattenberg On IR
The Broncos placed center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Wattenberg, 28, played every offensive snap for the Broncos in their first 15 games. He popped up on the injury report with a shoulder issue this week and did not participate in practice.
Now, he will have to miss Denver’s next four games. The Broncos are currently the AFC’s No. 1 seed; if that holds, Wattenberg would not be eligible to return until a potential Super Bowl. If they drop to the second seed or below, he will be eligible to return in the AFC championship game.
That offers some hints about Wattenberg’s status. In all likelihood, he is done for the season. If he was going to be available in the conference championship round – or close to it – the Broncos would probably not make this move. Keeping Wattenberg on the 53-man roster would allow him to ramp-up in practice and test his ability to return; his IR placement delays any practicing until after the Broncos’ second playoff game ends.
Wattenberg was having a breakout year, or at least, as close to one as you can get for an offensive lineman. He has anchored an offensive line that has only allowed 19 sacks all year, the fewest in the league, while serving as an effective partner for quarterback Bo Nix on the line of scrimmage. His loss will be a blow to Denver’s offense, though perhaps not a fatal one.
The Broncos started Alex Forsyth against the Chiefs on Christmas and will likely rely on him for the rest of the season. The 2023 seventh-round pick and started four games as a rookie. He has been active every week but has only played nine snaps on offense on the year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/25/25
Only one NFL team made a practice squad move on Christmas. Here it is:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: CB Alex Johnson