Goldman Sachs May Bail On Raiders
On Monday, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson announced he will no longer contribute $650MM to the Raiders’ proposed $1.9 billion stadium in Las Vegas. Soon after, the Raiders issued a press release declaring that Adelson’s withdrawal would not affect their proposed move. Without Sands Corp., the Raiders were banking on the financial help of Goldman Sachs to get the stadium built, but the investment banking company is now having second thoughts about its involvement, according to a source who spoke with Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. 
Adelson “has a longstanding business relationship with Goldman Sachs,” as Shelburne notes, but it’s not immediately clear whether that is playing a role in the firm’s trepidation. Without a significant outside contribution, it’s hard to see the Raiders getting a state of the art stadium built in the desert, and that could prevent them from making their long-rumored move. It is rumored that the Raiders are eyeing a domed facility near the Las Vegas strip that would seat 65,000 fans.
This is just my speculation, but Goldman Sachs may be exercising caution with regards to lending deals in the sports world after the Fed criticized its arrangement to help facilitate the $4 billion purchase of the UFC. According to Bloomberg, sources allege the UFC’s cash flow projections were doubled in order to make the company appear more creditworthy than it truly was. Following a stern warning from Federal Reserve bank supervisors, Goldman Sachs could be feeling the heat from the increased scrutiny. With the watchful eye of regulators, the firm will only want in on the deal if it can show profitability in a reasonable timeframe. Alternatively, this could be a power play from Goldman Sachs as the Raiders run out of financing options.
NFC Notes: 49ers, Lynch, Dominik, Saints
Here’s a quick look at the NFC:
- Before he was hired as the 49ers‘ new GM, John Lynch did not want his involvement in the search to leak out because he was afraid of league-wide perception, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com tweets. Had he not been hired, he was worried others would feel he was using his TV gig to land a job with an NFL team. Of course, some in the football world could still be of that opinion. As an ex-player and color commentator with no known ambitions of an executive job, Lynch may have had special access to information on rival teams and players.
- As of this afternoon, the 49ers have not scheduled an interview with ESPN analyst/ex-Bucs GM Mark Dominik, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). That doesn’t mean Dominik won’t be a consideration, but it may at least mean that a deal is probably not imminent between the two sides. By the same token, the Niners managed to keep the surprising hire of John Lynch under wraps.
- Saints owner Tom Benson‘s ownership lawsuit is one week away from trial, Katherine Sayre of The Times-Picayune writes. Benson is seeking to remove ownership shares in the Saints (and the NBA’s Pelicans) from trust funds created for his daughter and grandson from back when the family was still on good terms. Ultimately, the trial will not impact control over the teams. Benson maintains control by impact control over the teams.
AFC Notes: Del Rio, Raiders, Pats, Belichick
Jack Del Rio has two years left on his original four-year contract, but it’s time for the Raiders to re-work his deal, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com opines. Currently the lowest-paid coach in the NFL, Del Rio guided the once-lowly Raiders to their first playoff appearance since 2002. And with GM Reggie McKenzie under contract through the 2021 season, it only makes sense for Del Rio to be locked up for the same period. Last week, we learned that the two sides are planning to discuss a new deal.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- There’s no indication that Patriots coach Bill Belichick is getting ready to walk off into the sunset, Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes. If the Pats manage to win on Sunday, Belichick will have five Super Bowl rings to his name, giving him the most of any head coach in league history. Still, it appears that he still craves the competition and we have no reason to believe that he wants to retire to Florida right now. Curran’s best guess is that Belichick will wrap it up after the 2019 season, when he’ll be 68 and will have just completed 20 years in New England.
- The Steelers should draft a quarterback this year, Paul Ziese of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. To many, this year’s crop of quarterbacks is not an inspiring one, but Zeise likes DeShaun Watson or DeShone Kizer enough to advocate for their selection at No. 30, if they’re there. Roethlisberger still stands as one of the league’s best QBs, but he turns 35 in March and the team may want to think about grooming his next replacement. By the same token, I would be surprised if they use their first-round pick to take a signal caller.
- It’s time for the Broncos to find a consistent and explosive returner, Cameron Wolfe of The Denver Post writes. Jordan Norwood had trouble holding on to punts and that uncertainty cancelled out a lot of the good things he did on the field. This offseason, Norwood is a free agent along fellow core special teams players Kayvon Webster and Dekoda Watson.
- Yesterday, the Colts hired Chris Ballard as their new GM. Ballard beat out Packers executive Eliot Wolf, Vikings assistant GM George Paton, Seahawks co-player personnel directors Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer and internal candidate Jimmy Raye III for the job.
Redskins Notes: Long, Draft, Logan
Talk of the Redskins cutting Kory Lichtensteiger is an annual event and this could be the year it happens, CSNMidAtlantic.com’s Rich Tandler writes. This year, Lichtensteiger lost his starting job to Spencer Long when he was injured and he was unable to get it back when he was healthy. By moving on from the center, the Redskins can save $3.5MM in cap space. Alternatively, he may be able to stay with the team if he agrees to a base salary cut.
Meanwhile, an extension could be on the way for Spencer Long. If the Redskins decide to lock him up, Tandler believes a four-year deal at about $6-$7MM per season with around $8MM in guarantees should get it done. Currently, Cowboys center Travis Frederick leads the position with a $9.4MM average annual value and notables Alex Mack and Mike Pouncey are in the $8-9MM range. Long is not currently in that group, so he should slot below them.
Here’s more out of D.C.:
- The Redskins own the No. 17 overall pick in this year’s draft and JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com has identified a handful of possibilities. Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas isn’t a big name, but Finlay sees him as a good fit after he turned in two consecutive years of strong performances. This past season, he led the team in tackles, tackles for a loss, and sacks on his way to the All Pac-12 team. Other players listed here include FSU running back Dalvin Cook, Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell, and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker.
- The Redskins’ reported interest in Eagles standout Bennie Logan makes plenty of sense, Finlay writes. Logan proved that he is a capable run stuffer in Philly’s 3-4 system before last year’s scheme change and even when the playbook flipped, he still managed to register 2.5 sacks. Logan just recently turned 27, so a multi-year contract could prove to be a wise investment for Washington.
- Recently, the Redskins promoted Matt Cavanaugh from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. Although his own status with the team is up in the air, quarterback Kirk Cousins approves of the move.
Redskins Interested In Eagles DT Bennie Logan
If Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan hits the open market, the Redskins will target him in March, a source tells Mark Eckel of NJ.com. Of course, the Redskins are forbidden from contacting Logan until the legal tampering period. 
[RELATED: Eagles Notes: Kelce, Front Office]
Last year, the Redskins finished No. 28 in overall defense and 24th against the run, so they could use some help on the D-Line. Kedric Golston, 34 in May, cannot reasonably be counted upon to hold down nose tackle after playing in just two games last year. Logan, meanwhile, has missed just five games with injuries over the last four years.
For what it’s worth, the advanced metrics aren’t crazy about Logan’s play. Last year, his 45.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus placed him as a below-average interior defender. In the previous three years, however, he had much stronger scores as he played in a 3-4 scheme. It is widely acknowledged that Logan did not adjust well to the 4-3 set in 2016.
Logan could land roughly $10MM per year on his next contract, one Eagles beat writer recently opined, and the Eagles could instead get by with defensive tackles Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao. For his part, Logan says he wants to stay in Philly, but there’s a chance he could wind up with a divisional rival instead.
Rams Hire Sean McVay
It’s a done deal. The Rams are hiring Sean McVay as their new head coach, as Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com tweets. The Rams have since confirmed the news. It’s a five-year deal for McVay, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reports (on Twitter).
[RELATED: PFR’S 2017 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
McVay, still only 30, is now the youngest head coach in the modern era. On a day where the Chargers announced that they will also be moving to Los Angeles, the Rams have managed to steal the Chargers’ thunder.
“This is an exciting day for the Los Angeles Rams as we welcome Sean McVay as our new head coach,” owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. “The accomplishments and success that he has rendered in less than a decade in our league are remarkable. I am confident in his vision to make a team a consistent winner and to ultimately bring a Super Bowl title home to Los Angeles.”
McVay, who has three years’ experience as a coordinator, teamed with head coach Jay Gruden to guide the Redskins to the NFL’s third-best total offense and a fifth-place DVOA ranking in 2016. He’s widely credited for turning Kirk Cousins into a top quarterback and the Rams are hopeful that he can do the same for No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. McVay will also get to work with Todd Gurley, a player who has the ability to be an elite running back in the right system.
Now that McVay is in Los Angeles, he will reportedly try to bring Wade Phillips in as his defensive coordinator.
Dolphins Promote Matt Burke To DC
The Dolphins announced that linebackers coach Matt Burke has been promoted to defensive coordinator. The move was expected after Vance Joseph was hired to be the Broncos’ new head coach. 
[RELATED: PFR’s 2017 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker]
The Fins hired Burke away from the Bengals roughly one year ago today as a contingency plan in the event that Joseph left. Joseph did not get a head coaching job in the last cycle, but he was quickly scooped up the Broncos this time and the Fins are glad that they had their replacement already queued up.
In other Dolphins news, the team signed a number of players to reserve/futures deals this week.
Rams Unlikely To Interview Kyle Shanahan
The Rams probably will not be interviewing Kyle Shanahan, sources tell Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Nothing is finalized with Sean McVay yet, but this could be a sign that things are getting close between the two sides. 
[RELATED: If Hired By Rams, McVay Wants Phillips As DC]
We learned this week that the powwow between Shanahan and the Rams was in limbo because Shanahan has his hands full with preparing for the Seahawks and that obviously hurts his availability. In theory, the Rams could wait for the Falcons’ season to end, but they might not be patient enough. Already, Los Angeles has moved on to the second interview stage with McVay and Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn.
In other Rams news, McVay is apparently looking to bring Wade Phillips in as DC if he’s hired. The Rams also recently received permission to interview Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel. For a full rundown of all head coaching searches, check out PFR’s 2017 Head Coaching Tracker.
Jets To Interview Broncos RB Coach Eric Studesville For OC Job
Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville has an interview scheduled with the Jets for their offensive coordinator position, a source tells Mike Klis of 9NEWS (on Twitter). 
Studesville served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2004 until 2008. When Buffalo replaced him as OC, he remained on staff as the running backs coach. In 2010, he joined up with the Broncos under the same role and but he spent four games that year as interim head coach after Josh McDaniels was canned. After serving as running backs coach under three different Denver coaches, Studesville would like to move back up in the coaching world.
The Broncos are interviewing Mike McCoy and Bill Musgrave for their OC job today. So far, we haven’t gotten any word of Studesville being considered for the position.
Lynn Would Keep Whisenhunt If Hired By L.A.
Things are heating up between the Chargers and Anthony Lynn. Lynn could be the man to replace Mike McCoy as head coach and if that’s the case, he’ll keep offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Chargers brass likes the idea of keeping Whisenhunt on the staff and that is a plus in Lynn’s quest to become head coach, Rapoport adds. 
[RELATED: Chargers Move To Los Angeles]
Whisenhunt, who is in the midst of his second stint as the Bolts’ play-caller, boasts seven-plus years of head coaching experience with the Cardinals and Titans. He was not given consideration for the head coaching vacancy, but the team has been intent on keeping him as OC regardless of the hire.
Quarterback Philip Rivers works well with Whisenhunt and he has been an advocate of continuity at a time when the Chargers are undergoing major changes. In 2017, he’ll be playing for the fourth head coach of his professional career in a brand new market. Amidst all the chaos, Rivers is hoping to have his plays called by the same OC as last year.