NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/6/26
Four teams signed players to reserve/futures contracts on Tuesday, though only the Dolphins made more than two moves. Here are the latest updates:
Detroit Lions
- OL Seth McLaughlin
Indianapolis Colts
- LB Joseph Vaughn
Miami Dolphins
- WR AJ Henning, DT Alex Huntley, LB Derrick McLendon, LB K.C. Ossai, OL Josh Priebe, OL Kion Smith
Washington Commanders
- G Tyler Cooper, WR Nick Nash
Panthers EVP Brandt Tilis To Interview For Falcons’ Football Ops. Job
The Falcons have another candidate for their newly-created president of football operations role: Panthers executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis.
Tilis is set to interview for the role, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, though ex-Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan appears to be a frontrunner for the position. Atlanta is nonetheless obligated to interview other candidates, who may also emerge as figures in their search for a new general manager.
Tilis came up in the Chiefs’ front office, starting as a salary cap analyst in 2010 and eventually rising to vice president of football operations in 2021. In 2024, he interviewed for the Panthers’ GM position, and though that ultimately went to Dan Morgan, Tilis still came to Carolina in a VP role. Carolina went 5-12 in their first year under their new front office and improved to 8-9 this year to secure the franchise’s first NFC South crown since 2015.
While head coach Dave Canales‘ work with Bryce Young and the Panthers offense has yielded clear results on the field, Morgan and Tilis have knocked their roster moves out of the park. Major investments, like drafting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and signing safety Tre’von Moehrig, have paid off, and Carolina’s roster is peppered with key contributors on excellent contracts that were signed in the last two offseasons. Among them are safety Nick Scott, cornerback Michael Jackson, and running back Rico Dowdle.
The Falcons’ focus on Ryan seems to close the door on Tilis securing the top football operations job, but his initial discussion with the team may keep him in the race for general manager, as well. The other known candidate for that job is Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who the team has already requested to interview.
Atlanta will likely finalize Ryan’s hiring as director of football operations before moving onto their GM and head coach selections, by which time Tilis’ name may come back up. He could also draw interest from another team looking to reshape their front office with an executive who helped build a dynasty in Kansas City and has contributed to Carolina’s rapid return to relevance.
Browns Request Interview With Seahawks DC Aden Durde
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde has joined the Browns’ list of head coach candidates.
The Browns submitted an official request to interview Durde on Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The 46-year-old U.K. native began his coaching career in Europe before internships with the Cowboys (2014-2015) and the Falcons (2016) led to more opportunities in the NFL. He returned to Dan Quinn’s staff in Atlanta in 2018, first as a defensive quality control assistant and then as outside linebackers coach. Durde then followed Quinn to Dallas in 2021 and took over as the Cowboys’ defensive line coach.
The Seahawks came calling last offseason after hiring Mike Macdonald as their new head coach. Though Macdonald has been Seattle’s defensive play-caller, Durde has still played a key role in a unit that finished 11th in scoring and 14th in total defense in his debut season before ranking first and sixth, respectively, in 2025.
The Browns seem to be open to a new head coach with a background on either side of the ball, though their last four hires have all been offensive-minded coaches. Durde would not only represent a departure from that pattern, but a major leap of faith in a relatively unproven coach. His units in Seattle have been excellent, but that might have more to do with Macdonald, who is among the foremost defensive minds in the NFL. Handing Durde play-calling duties along with the other responsibilities of a head coach would be a tremendous leap of faith, one that could probably only be inspired by a flawless interview process.
Durde seems like a long shot to land the top job in Cleveland, but his consideration reflects the defensive focus of this offseason’s hiring cycle. Continued success in Seattle this postseason and in 2026 will keep him in the mix for future head coaching vacancies.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor Does Not Anticipate Coaching Changes
The Bengals announced on Monday that head coach Zac Taylor would stay in place in 2026 on Monday. Taylor, in turn, told reporters (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer) that he would not be making changes to the rest of his coaching staff.
That means offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, defensive coordinator Al Golden, and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons will all return for next season. None of the three seemed likely to garner interest for a head coaching job elsewhere, which was the only other way they would depart Cincinnati this offseason.
In his two years as OC, Pitcher’s offense has consistently been among the best in the league when Joe Burrow is healthy. Like any offense that loses a star quarterback, the Bengals immediately struggled after Burrow’s injury. Pitcher struggled to get the best out of backup Jake Browning, but a trade for Joe Flacco set the offense on fire for three game before the Bengals’ bye. After two rough games coming out of the bye, Burrow returned to the field, as did the offense to their usual heights (outside of getting shut out by the Ravens in Week 15). Though Pitcher has struggled to get Cincinnati’s running game going, that has been a perennial problem from the franchise that has to do with more than just coaching.
Golden was hired last offseason to improve a defense that ranked 25th in points and yards allowed last season. Instead, Cincinnati regressed to 30th and 31st, respectively, raising speculation that he could leave after just one season. Taylor has decided to stick with Golden, perhaps in the hopes that he can better re-acclimate to the NFL after spending three years at Notre Dame.
Cincinnati’s special teams ranked fourth in the NFL with a 90.6 team grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Kicker Evan McPherson bounced back after a rough start and punter Ryan Rekhow ranked among the league’s top punters. In other words, there is no reason to remove Simmons from his job; his unit was arguably the team’s most consistent throughout the season.
Browns Notes: Schwartz, Stefanski, QB Situation
The Browns’ first decision of the offseason was to fire head coach Kevin Stefanski. The next step will be finding his replacement.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is an internal candidate, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, which is no surprise given his success over the last three years. Owner Jimmy Haslam refused to confirm that Schwartz is a candidate on Monday (via Tony Grossi of The Land on Demand), but admitted he wanted to retain his veteran DC.
The Browns defense has consistently been the team’s stronger side of the ball since Schwartz came aboard in 2023. They ranked first in total defense in his debut season and fourth in 2025; between was a down year that was impacted by a turnover-prone offense. Schwartz’s defenses have never ranked higher than 13th in points allowed, though that can again be partially attributed to the offense consistently losing the field position battle. But his familiarity with the current roster – which is primarily built on defensive cornerstones – is a major factor in his favor.
The Browns’ quarterback situation is, as always, a key part of their long-term planning that goes hand-in-hand with their decision on a new head coach. Despite some potential flashed by Shedeur Sanders this season, Cleveland still seems to be intent on nabbing a top quarterback prospects in one of the next two drafts. That would normally lean a team towards hiring an offensive coordinator for the top job. However, this hiring cycle is considered a weak one for potential offensive-minded head coaches who could groom a young QB.
Cleveland may therefore be better served by promoting Schwartz and adding an up-and-coming offensive assistants to work with the next quarterback. However, Haslam also indicated that he is ultimately open to a head coach with a background on either side of the ball. Their last four hires were offensive-minded coaches, but their lack of success in that stretch could inspire them to break the pattern.
Here is the latest out of Cleveland:
- Even if they hire a defensive head coach, the Browns will be focusing on improving their offense this offseason. General manager Andrew Berry promised “significant investment” in the unit, per Grossi, with a first-round quarterback no doubt on the table. Cleveland may also need to replace multiple offensive linemen this offseason and could stand to improve their wide receiver corps.
- Deshaun Watson is expected to be on the roster in 2026, Berry said on Monday (via Grossi). He is still completing his rehab from dual Achilles tears suffered last season. This follows a report indicating the same, with Watson’s onerous contract requiring an untenable dead money number to shed.
- The Browns will still wait on any potential quarterback moves until they hire a new coach. From there, though, his first priority will likely be figuring out the team’s 2026 starter.
- Stefanski has no intention of taking time away from football and has immediately thrown his hat in the ring for other head-coaching opportunities, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. He is already expected to interview with the Giants, Titans, and Falcons. He will not, however, take a lesser job with the Buccaneers and reunite with Baker Mayfield, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.
- Longtime Browns guard Wyatt Teller is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. The eight-year veteran does not know if his agent has discussed a new deal with the team, according to Easterling. If Cleveland is pursuing another rebuild, they may opt to move on from the 31-year-old lineman in favor of younger players.
- Though rookie tight end Harold Fannin emerged as an impact pass-catching this season, the Browns are still interested in retaining pending free agent David Njoku. He wants to stay in Cleveland, too, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, but coaching staff changes could change the calculus for either side.
Tyler Linderbaum Wants To Stay In Baltimore
The Ravens’ 2025 season ended on Sunday night, and their 2026 offseason immediately began.
In addition to considering changes to their coaching staff, Baltimore will have to make a number of roster decisions. The most pressing, at least in terms of a timeline, is regarding Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. The Ravens declined to pick up the 2022 first-rounder’s fifth-year option last offseason, making 2025 a contract year.
Linderbaum, 25, said on Monday that he “absolutely” wants to remain in Baltimore despite his pending free agency. But the financial details are complicated. A franchise tag – projected by OverTheCap to be $27.2MM – is out of the question. That would still set a high floor for extension negotiations in a positional market that is currently topped by Chiefs center Creed Humphrey at $18MM per year. That contract was signed in 2024 with a significantly lower cap, so Linderbaum will likely top it on his next deal. The question is by how much.
The fourth-year center started every game this year and maintained his status as one of the league’s top centers with his third-straight Pro Bowl. His 79.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) of any center, though that was primarily due to his elite run-blocking. In pass protection, though, Linderbaum took a step backwards from his more consistent showings in 2023 and 2024, which featured just 37 combined pressures allowed and a 98.4 pass-blocking efficiency, per PFF. This year alone he allowed 26 pressures with a career-low 97.2 efficiency rating.
Even for the run-heavy Ravens, Linderbaum’s pass protection in the center of the offensive line is crucial. One could argue his stats were dragged down by poor guard play on either side, but there were plenty of situations where he was flat-out beat. But the team’s lack of investment in the guard position also makes his overall talent and leadership more valuable.
Adjusting Humphrey’s contract to the current salary cap yields an APY of $20.8MM, which would be close to the top of a guard market that has exploded in recent years. Linderbaum’s agent will be arguing for that number, while the Ravens will be seeking a smaller bump over Humphrey’s deal. Baltimore has a tight salary cap situation and a confident negotiating style in which they largely stick to their valuation. The team has even been willing to let top pending free agents test their market while keeping communications line open for a potential return to the negotiating table.
But another fundamental element of the Ravens’ team-building strategy is retaining core franchise players, especially former first-round picks who are among the league’s best at their positions. Linderbaum fits that description to a T, and his desire to remain in Baltimore is almost certainly mutual. The two sides will likely engage in negotiations before the start of the new league year with the hope of securing a long-term deal that keeps Linderbaum in purple and black for the foreseeable future.
Ravens Considering Coordinator Changes?
The Ravens’ heartbreaking loss to the Steelers on Sunday night have raised whispers of change in Baltimore into a cacophony.
However, such change is more likely to happen at the coordinator level than at the very top with head coach John Harbaugh, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson. The Ravens just signed Harbaugh to a three-year extension at the beginning of this year that kept him as one of the NFL’s highest-paid head coaches. He has held that role for 19 years with one Super Bowl and consistent playoff appearances. The team also values stability and continuity in their key leadership positions and would not move on one lightly.
“There is absolutely no reason to believe the Ravens would fire John Harbaugh,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said on Tuesday, though he did not rule out the possibility of a mutual parting of ways. He also acknowledge that “some level of change does feel sort of inevitable.”
His colleague Ian Rapoport added that any changes in Baltimore would be focused on offensive coordinator Todd Monken after significant regression from top-five units in the last two years. The Ravens fell outside of the top 10 in points and yards for just the second time with Lamar Jackson as a starter. The first was in 2022 under then-OC Greg Roman, who was replaced by Monken after the season. Could history repeat itself?
Despite also overseeing significant – and perhaps more severe – defensive coordinator Zach Orr is not thought to be on the hot seat. The young ex-Ravens linebacker has led one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses in both of his seasons as defensive coordinator, and this year, he was not able to inspire a similar end-of-season turnaround to 2024. But Orr is still valued inside the Ravens’ facility and seems to be safe. He should still enter the 2026 season under significant scrutiny to return to Baltimore’s core identity as a stifling defense that can better complement Jackson and the offense.
Philip Rivers Expected To Receive Coaching Interest
JANUARY 5: When speaking to the media on Monday (video link), Rivers confirmed he would be open to coaching at the NFL level. He added, however, that “there has been no substantive interest” to this point from teams in need of a new head coach. It remains to be seen if any formal interview requests will be made over the coming days.
JANUARY 4: Though he was deemed a healthy scratch for the Colts’ final game of the season, Philip Rivers‘ NFL comeback may not be over quite yet.
While the 44-year-old quarterback will retire from playing for a second time after the end of the regular season, he could stay in the league as a coach. Rivers is expected to receive interest from teams seeking new head coaches this offseason, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, with at least one interview expected.
Both NFL and college teams have considered Rivers for coaching jobs in the past, but he has generally been uninterested. That may have changed after his shocking return to the professional playing field this year.
Rivers’ appeal to NFL teams is obvious. He has already found success as a head coach, albeit as a high school level. His ability to come off the couch and start for the Colts showed that he is still in tune with the pro game. He has ties to a number of coaches across the league and could build a strong staff. Rivers’ age also makes him an old player but would also make him a young head coach. Being a former player would also help him connect with players, many of whom watched Rivers growing up. He had a reputation for taking huge hits in the pocket to get throws off; players who knew their coach gave it his all when he was on the field may be more inclined to do so as well.
The reasons why Rivers might consider a coaching job are just as clear. It would be a new challenge and a significant step up from high school ball. He would be able to stay in the NFL after clearly enjoying his comeback this year. But Rivers also has 11 kids. Taking an NFL coaching job would take him away from his family (or force them to uproot their lives and move).
A career in broadcasting may allow more flexibility; it certainly would not come with the burden and time constraints of being a head coach. He said on Up & Adams this week that he has “not ruled it out,” but noted that other opportunities haven’t “felt right.”
“The one thing I’ve loved since I was however old playing this game and being now as a coach is I’ve been able to have some impact on the score.” Rivers added. “You might be good at it, talking about it, but I have nothing to do with the outcome of this game.”
It’s hard to impact the outcome of the game from the broadcasting booth. But as a coach on the sidelines, everything he does would impact the outcome of the game.
Titans’ Cam Ward Suffers Shoulder Injury
Titans quarterback Cam Ward‘s rookie season came to an unceremoniously early ending today when he exited today’s season finale with an injury. Ward has been initially diagnosed with a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and Titans insider Paul Kuharsky. 
Ward landed on shoulder of his throwing arm while reaching for the end zone on the Titans’ first drive of Sunday’s game in Jacksonville. Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun landed on top of the No. 1 overall pick, driving him harder into the ground. Ward briefly went into the blue tent before making his way to the locker room and was seen later on the sideline in sweats.
Despite the injury, the 23-year-old started every game for the Titans in his rookie campaign. Though Ward had appeared on the team’s injury report back in Week 4 with ankle/calf issues, and though Ward was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL this year (55, tied with Raiders quarterback Geno Smith), Ward had played 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps up to that point of the season. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen‘s first snaps today were Tennessee’s first offensive snaps without Ward on the field this year.
AC joint sprain recovery times vary depending on the degree of severity. A milder Grade 1 sprain may take a couple weeks to shake off, whereas a Grade 3 sprain could take several months to recover from. The team saw former starter Will Levis suffer an AC joint sprain early in his second year with the team. He was cleared after the Titans’ bye week and started the next game without missing any time, but he reaggravated the injury in his first game after the injury and was sidelined for the next three weeks. Levis underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July before this season, but it’s unclear if the procedure was related to the AC joint sprain or a more recent injury.
Ward’s injury ended a rookie season that he will want to quickly move on from. Coming into the final week of the season, Ward ranked 25th in the NFL in passing yards per game and dead last in touchdowns per pass attempt. As mentioned above, he also led the league in sacks taken and yards lost from sacks. Many of these troubling stats can be attributed to Ward adjusting to the speed difference from college to the pros, but the quality of the players around him should not be ignored.
While Ward certainly needs to get the ball out quicker in certain situations, he was under pressure on 27.9 percent of his pass attempts, the third-highest percentage in the league. His receivers also racked up the 12th-most drops in the NFL and finished 27th in the NFL in yards after catch. Ward did show bright spots, though, like only throwing seven interceptions, good for an interception rate of 1.3 percent — the third-best such figure in the NFL this year. He also was able to keep plays alive with his legs and turn broken plays into highlights, something he was known to do in college, as well.
All-in-all, the Titans still believe that Ward is their franchise quarterback, but his development is going to be crucial as he looks to take another step forward in Year 2. The team will likely have Ward undergo some testing to determine the exact severity of today’s injury, and they’ll hope that the resulting recovery time won’t keep him from being available for OTAs in May.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Colts Expected To Retain HC Shane Steichen
The Colts’ end-of-season slide out of the playoffs has stirred some speculation about the future of head coach Shane Steichen, but he is expected to be retained for the 2026 season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Losing the last seven games of the year is a black mark on the record of any head coach, but Steichen has a massive mitigating factor: injuries to his starting quarterback. Daniel Jones was playing on a fractured fibula in November and then tore his Achilles at the beginning of December.
Up to that point, he was – as surprising as it sounds – one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season and the Colts had one of the league’s best offenses. Jones still ranks among the league’s top-10 passers in yards per game, yards per attempt, completion rate, passer rating, and total QBR. It would be difficult for any team to withstand that loss.
Steichen’s success with Jones, a former top-10 pick turned reclamation project, is the Colts’ main reason to keep him. While Jones’ exact future is uncertain after his injury, the Colts appeared to be interested in re-signing him for 2026 and beyond. Since Steichen has brought out the best version of Jones, it would make little sense to move on now.
What’s more, the Colts have improved on both sides of the ball in each year of Steichen’s tenure, and 2025 was set to be his most successful season by far until Jones went down. Again, firing that head coach three years into the job feels like the wrong move.
Sill, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is somewhat of an unknown heading into the offseason. Similar to her late father, Jim Irsay, she has taken a hands-on approach with running the franchise. Just as some have questioned Steichen’s job security, even more have wondered if general manager Chris Ballard could be on his way out. The Colts have never won the AFC South in his nine years as general manager, but he may be given some grace for the same reason as Steichen. Ballard built what appeared to be a competitive team this year, including his aggressive trade deadline acquisition of Sauce Gardner. His ability to make that move is an indicator that his job was relatively secure, though the Colts’ late-season struggles have re-raised those questions.
Ultimately, Ballard and Steichen are expected to stay in Indianapolis, but both – especially Ballard – could find themselves on the hot seat next year.