Broncos Fire HC Vic Fangio, Will Not Retain OC Pat Shurmur
The Broncos have fired head coach Vic Fangio, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). Fangio lasted three seasons in his post but failed to get his club to the playoffs in that time, so GM George Paton felt compelled to make a move. Mike Klis of 9News.com reports (via Twitter) that the team will also part ways with OC Pat Shurmur.
Denver lost its 2021 finale to the Chiefs last night, and in his postgame presser, Fangio lamented the fact that the other three clubs in the AFC West boast a top-flight quarterback, something the Broncos did not have during his tenure. Denver did select Drew Lock in the second round of the 2019 draft, Fangio’s first as a head coach, and while Lock presently looks like another QB misstep in the John Elway-as-GM era, the inability of Fangio and his staff to develop the Missouri passer certainly contributed to Fangio’s demise.
Offensive ineptitude was, unfortunately, a hallmark of the Fangio regime. As Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post observes, the Broncos failed to score 20 points in a game 29 times in Fangio’s 49 games as head coach, and after a bottom-five showing in terms of both total offense and points per game in 2019, Fangio fired then-OC Rich Scangarello and replaced him with Shurmur, who had just been axed as head coach of the Giants.
The Broncos’ offensive output marginally improved during Shurmur’s time as OC, but it was simply not enough for either him or Fangio to keep their jobs (Shurmur’s contract was reportedly for two years, so Denver will simply let his deal expire). Fangio’s refusal to pull play-calling duties from Shurmur caused some locker room tension earlier this year, and while Shurmur was a hot offensive coordinator candidate before he accepted the post with the Broncos, his stock has likely dropped quite a bit.
Fangio, though, should land on his feet. We previously heard that the acclaimed defensive mind, who has served as DC of the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers, and Bears, would be in high demand for a defensive coordinator position if he were to be fired by the Broncos, so he can probably expect a few interview requests in short order. The Broncos finished the 2021 campaign with a top-three defense in terms of points allowed per game.
Paton will have full authority to select the next head coach, as team president/CEO Joe Ellis confirmed in a statement. Paton’s reputation, along with the Broncos’ history and a roster that appears to be just a quarterback away from legitimate contention — something that Paton will try to rectify this offseason — should allow the club to attract any number of top-tier candidates. Albert Breer of SI.com identifies Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett and Cowboys DC Dan Quinn as possible targets, and Quinn and Paton do have a history that dates back to their days with the Dolphins in 2005.
However, Paton may elect to move forward with an offensive-minded candidate, which could give the edge to Hackett or someone like Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich. Though the Broncos could be sold as soon as the spring (per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports), the imminent prospect of new ownership is not likely to deter candidates for the HC job.
Fangio’s statement on his dismissal can be found here, and Paton’s can be found here.
Lions, OC Anthony Lynn To Part Ways
The Lions and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn are set to end their relationship after just one season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The parties are expected to part ways following Detroit’s 2021 finale this afternoon.
One year ago, the Chargers fired Lynn as their head coach after he spent four years in that role. Lynn initially planned to sit out the 2021 season, but he had discussions with the Seahawks about their OC post, and he ultimately elected to join Dan Campbell‘s inaugural staff in Detroit.
As it turns out, Lynn may have been better off following through on his original plan to take the year off. In November, he was stripped of his play-calling duties, and although he continued to help run the offensive meetings and structure the game plan and rushing attack, he conceded that he was not happy about the loss of responsibility (Twitter link via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News).
The Lions were averaging only 16.8 points per game during Lynn’s eight games as the offensive play-caller, and they failed to record a win during that time. In the following eight contests, they averaged 19.25 points per game and squeezed out two victories and a tie. Correlation does not equal causation, and myriad factors have contributed to another lost season for the Lions, but his time in the Motor City clearly did not help Lynn’s stock as a coach.
The 53-year-old may end up having to accept a position coach post to start working his way back up the ladder (he has previously served as the RBs coach of the Jaguars, Cowboys, Browns, Jets, and Bills). The fact that he is a highly-respected figure in the league will certainly help him get a job somewhere, and his HC experience could be especially useful to someone who lands a head coaching gig for the first time in 2022. He might also be interested in a job in the college ranks.
The Lions, meanwhile, will have to search for a new OC. Ben Johnson, the club’s TE coach who was appointed pass game coordinator when Campbell took over play-calling responsibilities from Lynn, is perhaps the top in-house option. It will also be interesting to see if Campbell wants to remain the play-caller going forward.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert To Step Down
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert has been working, by his own request, on a series of year-to-year contracts in order to leave open the possibility of retirement. After 22 years in the Pittsburgh front office, that day may have finally come, as Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report that Colbert will step down after the 2022 draft.
As Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network reminds us (via Twitter), Colbert has repeatedly stated that he would remain in his post as long as Ben Roethlisberger was the Steelers’ quarterback. Roethlisberger is set to retire at season’s end, so Colbert is staying true to his word. He may stay with the organization in an advisory capacity to assist whomever the Steelers hire to replace him, but the 65-year-old is expected to retire sooner rather than later.
He will leave behind an extraordinary legacy. Colbert, who became Pittsburgh’s director of football operations in 2000 before assuming the general manager title in 2010, has compiled a 225-124-3 record during his time in charge of the club’s personnel. That includes two Super Bowl titles with two different coaches, along with a third Super Bowl appearance.
In all of that time, the Steelers only had one losing season, which came way back in 2003. Following the arrival of Roethlisberger one year later, Pittsburgh has been a model of consistency, and the fact that the storied franchise remains one of the NFL’s most respected and has served as a template that other teams try to emulate is thanks in no small part to Colbert’s efforts.
Vice president of football and business administration, Omar Khan, would appear to be on the short list of potential replacements. Khan has been with the Steelers almost as long as Colbert, having been hired as the football administration coordinator in 2001. He has been a popular GM candidate for other teams in recent years, and he was reportedly offered the Texans’ GM gig last year before Houston pivoted to Nick Caserio.
Rapoport and Pelissero also name pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt as a candidate.
Grand Jury Clears Barkevious Mingo
Linebacker Barkevious Mingo signed a one-year, $1.25MM contract with the Falcons in March, but Atlanta released him a few months later, after he was charged with “indecency with a child–sexual contact.” As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported last month, the Texas grand jury that was convened in the matter determined there was no probable cause to move forward, so Mingo will not be prosecuted (Twitter link).
Mingo, 31, has never lived up to his status as the No. 6 overall pick of the 2013 draft. His rookie season tally of five sacks still represents a career-high, as he managed only 7.5 sacks in total across the next seven years. Still, he has carved out a lengthy career as a rotational defender and special teams contributor, and in his 2020 season with Chicago — in which he appeared in 36% of the Bears’ defensive snaps and 82% of their special teams snaps — Pro Football Focus’ metrics considered him a league-average performer.
He has also proven himself to be durable, as he has never appeared in less than 15 games in a single season. Now that his legal situation has been resolved, he will presumably have a chance to continue his playing career in 2022, though any contract he gets will likely be for the veteran minimum or slightly higher.
Mingo’s attorney, Chris Lewis, issued a statement (Twitter link), which reads in part as follows:
“Today’s decision is the first step in restoring Keke’s good name and successfully brings to a close what has been a painful and uncertain chapter in his life. We appreciate the hard work and thoughtful consideration that the District Attorney’s Office and the Grand Jury dedicated to this matter.”
Latest On Mike Zimmer, Vikings
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer‘s job security is once again a topic of conversation. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says Zimmer’s future in Minnesota is presently unclear, though a playoff berth would obviously be a major boost to his prospects.
Unfortunately for him, he will be without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins for tonight’s matchup against the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers in Lambeau Field. Cousins has landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so Sean Mannion will get the nod in a must-win contest in which Minnesota is a 13.5-point underdog.
As such, the Vikings are very much at risk of sitting out the postseason for the fifth time in eight seasons under Zimmer’s stewardship. And since he was said to be on the hot seat earlier this year, and given that ownership was prepared to cut ties even after a 10-6 season and a playoff win in 2019, it would seem that another season with no chance at a title might be too much for Zimmer to overcome.
That is especially true when considering the manner in which the 2021 campaign has unfolded. The Vikings have lost eight games by one score and actually have a +12 point differential despite their 7-8 record. They have suffered a handful of heartbreaking losses, they have been penalized for more yards than any other NFC team, and they have allowed more points in the final two minutes of a half than any team in football (h/t Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune). They have also dropped games to the then-winless Lions and a Cowboys team that was playing Cooper Rush at quarterback due to a Dak Prescott injury.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says internal discussions about Zimmer’s future have taken place, and the Vikings have researched potential HC candidates. Zimmer, 65, does boast a 71-54-1 regular season record, but he could be looking for a new employer (or considering retirement) in a couple of weeks. Injuries, COVID-19, and other circumstances have doubtlessly played a role in this year’s disappointments, though that may not be enough to earn Zimmer a reprieve.
Packers Preparing To Put Franchise Tag On Davante Adams
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams recently discussed his future with the team, a future that may include the franchise tag. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears from several sources that Green Bay is indeed preparing to use the tag — a tool the club has not utilized since 2010 — on its star wideout.
Adams, 29, is playing out the final year of the four-year, $58MM extension he signed in December 2017. That proved to be a terrific investment for the Packers, and given the success that Adams has enjoyed over the life of that contract, he is now setting his sights even higher. He wants to be the highest-paid receiver in football, which, in terms of AAV, would mean a deal worth upwards of $27MM per season. The franchise tag, meanwhile, will cost about $20MM.
Once the season is over, Green Bay will have a great deal of work to do just to get under the salary cap, and carrying a $20MM charge on the books for an Adams tag will be challenging. A long-term contract would of course help to limit Adams’ 2022 cap hit, but it will be interesting to see if Adams even wants such a contract from the Packers at this point. Though he said that the club’s plans vis-a-vis Aaron Rodgers will not be the “end-all, be-all” in terms of his own future in Wisconsin, he did concede that Rodgers’ status will be a key consideration for him. And if the Packers move on from their franchise signal-caller — Rapoport suggests that there will be a resolution in that regard fairly early in the offseason — Adams may not want to stick around for the long haul.
Indeed, after Adams broke off contract talks in July, he did not, according to Rapoport, try to reopen them (even though he was reportedly happy to consider any pitches the team wished to make). If the Packers are willing to give him the record-breaking deal he wants, he might be hard-pressed to turn it down, regardless of what the club’s QB situation looks like. But if Green Bay parts way with Rodgers and does not break the bank for Adams, the Fresno State product might risk a statistical downturn in 2022 in the hopes of hitting the open market in 2023.
Rapoport also passes along an update on Rodgers. He confirms that retaining their three-time MVP is the Packers’ top priority, and the front office is hopeful that the regular conversations it has had with him has gotten the relationship to a point where Rodgers will want to stay (video link).
Vic Fangio Facing Uncertain Future With Broncos
Thanks to COVID-19, the Broncos will be without seven starters for their Week 17 battle against the Chargers this afternoon, a reality that could make it more difficult for head coach Vic Fangio to stick around for a fourth season. As Troy Renck of Denver 7 observes, Fangio may need to win the final two games of the 2021 campaign to keep his job (video link).
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes that Fangio’s status is indeed up in the air, and in addition to a strong showing over the next two games, GM George Paton might require his head coach to lay out a compelling strategy to improve the team’s offense. Obviously, Paton himself will have a significant say in that, as Denver could once again be in the market for a high-profile quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. But after Fangio’s refusal to pull play-calling duties from OC Pat Shurmur caused some locker room tension earlier this year, Paton would undoubtedly like some reassurance that any QB he acquires will be well-positioned to succeed.
Paton and Fangio do have a strong working relationship, and we heard earlier this year that the first-year GM is not necessarily looking to bring in his own leader. He is, however, doing his due diligence. Per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, team brass has had internal discussions about the possibility of moving on from Fangio and has done background work on potential HC candidates. Fangio’s staffers, meanwhile, are preparing to seek new employment.
If Fangio does get the ax, he may not be without work for long. As La Canfora writes in a separate piece, the 63-year-old defensive guru will be high atop the wish lists of clubs in need of a DC, especially if such a club hires a first-year, offensive-minded head coach. That coach would love to have Fangio aboard not only for his defensive acumen, but because he could be entrusted to run half of the team while the HC focuses on building relationships and developing the offense.
It was Fangio’s work as the Bears’ defensive coordinator that landed him the Broncos’ HC job to begin with. He also served in that capacity with the Panthers, Colts, Texans, and 49ers.
Coaching Notes: Jags, Culley, Nagy
Things have not gone well for the Jaguars this year. Urban Meyer failed to make it through his first year as an NFL head coach, No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence has the second-worst QB rating among qualified passers, and the club has mustered just two wins against 11 losses. The good news, as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes, is that the Jacksonville head coaching job is considered a desirable one, and many candidates who are expected to be hot commodities in the upcoming coaching cycle are anxious to secure an interview with owner Shad Khan.
That is largely because of Lawrence, who is still considered a generational talent despite his rookie struggles. Former Eagles HC Doug Pederson is reportedly interested in the post, and Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Bills OC Brian Daboll might also be attractive options for Khan given their recent work with young signal-callers. One way or another, Khan should not have any difficulty luring a top candidate to Duval, though he obviously needs to get this hire right.
Here are several other coaching-related items:
- Jaguars interim HC Darrell Bevell will have a chance to have the interim tag removed and interview for the permanent head coaching gig. He does have Lawrence’s support, but his candidacy will depend on how the team’s offense performs down the stretch. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com expects Ravens DC Don Martindale — the architect of the Jags’ Joe Cullen-led defense — to be in the mix as well (Twitter link).
- We recently heard that the Texans are expected to retain head coach David Culley for 2022, but GM Nick Caserio is at least considering his options, per La Canfora. Culley, a 66-year-old coach who had spent his entire career as an assistant, was the most surprising hire of the 2021 cycle, but as Houston was (and is) in the midst of a complete rebuild, the club was perhaps looking for more of a caretaker than anything else. Caserio is rumored to have his eye on one unnamed candidate for the next phase of the rebuild, and it’s not difficult to connect the dots to McDaniels. The Houston HC job may not attract many in-demand candidates for 2022, which means that Culley could get one more year at the helm. However, if McDaniels does not land his own head coaching post in the coming months, he and Caserio could reunite in Texas in 2023.
- No surprises here, but La Canfora, in the same Culley piece linked above, says many assistants on Bears HC Matt Nagy‘s staff are operating under the assumption that they will need to find new employment at season’s end. It has been assumed that Nagy will be terminated after the season is over, though La Canfora leaves open the possibility that Nagy could get his walking papers before then so that Chicago can get a head start on the interview process.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/21
Given the recent surge of COVID-19 cases throughout the league, we expected to see more roster churning today than we typically would on a December Sunday. Here are today’s minor (and not so minor) moves. This page will, of course, be updated throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jimmy Smith
- Promoted: DB Mazzi Wilkins
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Jon Feliciano
- Promoted: OL Jacob Capra
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Jadeveon Clowney (story)
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Wyatt Teller
- Promoted: OT Alex Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jason Huntley, WR Quez Watkins
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Cam Sims, DT Daniel Wise
Eagles Secure First-Round Pick From Carson Wentz Trade
It has felt like a foregone conclusion for a few weeks now, but the Eagles have officially secured the Colts’ 2022 first-round pick under the terms of the Carson Wentz trade that the two clubs consummated back in February. In exchange for Wentz, Indianapolis gave up a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional 2022 second-rounder that would turn into a first-round choice if Wentz played 75% of the Colts’ offensive snaps this year (or if he played in 70% of the snaps and Indy qualified for the postseason).
After last night’s victory over the Patriots, Wentz has now played enough snaps to ensure that, even if he were to miss the next three games for some reason, he will not fall below the 75% threshold (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). As such, Philadelphia will now be armed with three first-round selections in the 2022 draft (the Colts’, the Dolphins’, and their own).
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Indy and Miami picks are not looking as valuable as they were a few weeks ago. The ‘Fins are in the midst of a five-game winning streak (and are favored to defeat the Jets today), and after a 1-3 start, the Colts have improved to 8-6 on the season.
Even if Philadelphia doesn’t end up with any top-10 selections, having three first-round choices in any draft is an enviable scenario. Of course, the big question is whether the Eagles will try to package those picks to trade for a veteran quarterback or to move up the draft board to secure a top collegiate passer.
Jalen Hurts‘ recent run of quality play led to some chatter that the club was comfortable enough with him under center to use its draft capital on other areas of need, but Hurts’ terrible showing against the Giants in Week 12 and reports about an organizational divide on his long-term viability have reopened the conversation about the Eagles’ quarterback plans.