Bengals Deny Redskins/Guenther Interview
The Bengals don’t want to lose their defensive coordinator. The Redskins have been denied permission to interview Paul Guenther, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. 
[RELATED: Redskins Targeting Gus Bradley As DC?]
Marvin Lewis is reportedly safe in Cincinnati, but he won’t be getting another extension this offseason, making him a lame duck for 2017. In the past, Guenther has been mentioned as an internal candidate to replace Lewis, meaning that bigger things could be in store for him if the Bengals falter next season.
The Bengals finished the season 6-9-1 and their defensive DVOA (18th in the NFL) admittedly left something to be desired. Still, the Bengals placed better in the previous two seasons under Guenther and he is well-regarded by his players.
Years before he joined the Bengals’ staff, Guenther was an assistant coach with the Redskins in 2002 and 2003. The faces in D.C. have changed quite a few times since then, but owner Dan Snyder presumably has a solid relationship with him.
The Beat: Chris Tomasson On The Vikings
Now that the regular season is over, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.
This week, we caught up with Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press to discuss the Vikings. You can follow Chris on Twitter @christomasson and check out his stories here.
Zach Links: The Vikings have already anointed Sam Bradford as their 2017 starter. Meanwhile, Teddy Bridgewater‘s timetable for return is uncertain and the Vikings must decide on his 2018 option by May 2nd. How do you think they’ll handle the $12.5MM decision? 
Chris Tomasson: It’s a very difficult question to answer since the Vikings know far more about the severity of his injury than they have let on. There would be some surprise from my end if the Vikings don’t pick up the option since it is guaranteed only in the event of injury, and it would have to be a new injury that would guarantee it. Even if Teddy Bridgewater can’t play in 2017, when he has a cap number of $2.18MM, picking up the option could buy time for them to assess his recovery. If the Vikings pick up the option, the big issue could come in March 2018 when the Vikings might have to make a final determination on their quarterback of the future. They can’t pay two quarterbacks a combined total of $30MM or more. At that point, Bridgewater could be released or asked to sign a deal for a lesser figure as a backup.
Zach Links: Recently, Adrian Peterson hinted that he might be open to a pay cut. Do you think he’s ready to take the kind of haircut the Vikings probably have in mind? Wherever he winds up, do you think he can resume playing at a high level?
Chris Tomasson: I think it will depend on what other teams might be willing to offer and how those teams stack up against the Vikings regarding a chance to win a Super Bowl. The Vikings stood by Peterson during his child-abuse situation and coach Mike Zimmer wants him back, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they look to bring him back. I don’t think Peterson is a 1,500-yard-type back anymore, but I think he could gain 1,000 yards for someone. I think he might have to accept a reduction in carries, wherever he might play.
Zach Links: Do you think pending free agent Cordarrelle Patterson will be back with the team next year? Do you see him moving forward as a 
kick return specialist or do you think he can fulfill his potential as an all-around wide receiver?
Chris Tomasson: I think Patterson got enough work at wide receiver this season that he will seriously consider a Vikings offer to return. I would be surprised if another team offered him a big deal to be a starting-caliber wide receiver. While much of it was a product of Minnesota’s short passing game, he averaged just 8.7 yards on his 52 catches. He has said he wants to return to Minnesota, and all I can do is take him at his word.
Zach Links: He’s stayed mum on the subject, but do you expect to see 38-year-old Terence Newman return to the Vikings in 2017?
Chris Tomasson: Terence Newman still can play, there’s no doubt about it. He told me that to return, there has to be certain conditions met, some that are in his control and some that are out of it. He wouldn’t tell me what they are. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, to see Newman back considering he has remained healthy and no serious slippage was evident in 2016. However, I’m sure if he were to return, his snaps would be cut back considering the continued maturation of Trae Waynes.
Dolphins Release DE Jason Jones
The Dolphins announced that they have released defensive end Jason Jones. Jones recently returned from suspension. 
[RELATED: Dolphins To Release DL Mario Williams This Offseason]
Miami decided this week that they would not be using Jones in the first-round playoff game against the Steelers, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes. It’s possible that Jones reacted poorly to that news, because the Dolphins have decided they do not want to have Jones around at all. Jones, 30, appeared in ten Dolphins games this season. He posted 2.5 sacks, 23 tackles, and a fumble recovery. With Jones out, Mario Williams will play Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, in another surprising development, quarterback Ryan Tannehill returned to practice today. Previous reports indicated that Tannehill would definitely not play this weekend, but today’s news could open the door slightly to that possibility. At minimum, it’s a promising sign for his availability going forward, should Miami win this weekend.
Redskins Targeting Gus Bradley As DC?
Gus Bradley might not be out of work for long. The former Jacksonville head coach is atop the Redskins’ list of defensive coordinator candidates, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. 
Bradley has a connection to the organization since GM Scot McCloughan knows him well from their time together in Seattle. Bradley served as the Seahawks’ DC from 2009 through 2012 and that job launched him into the Jaguars gig in 2013. In his final year with Seattle, Bradley’s defense allowed a league-best 15.3 points per game.
Panthers secondary coach Steve Wilks is also said to be a name to watch as the Redskins look for Barry’s successor. Wilks has a D.C. connection of his own thanks to his time spent with cornerback Josh Norman. Working with Wilks in 2015, Norman enjoyed a career-year as he was named to the All Pro first team and selected for his first Pro Bowl. He also career highs in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (18).
Bills Intend To Move On From Tyrod Taylor
No surprise here, but the Bills are getting ready to bring the Tyrod Taylor era to a close. The Bills will not pick up the $15.5MM option bonus in his contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes. 
Buffalo has until March 11 to exercise the clause, but it sounds like their minds are already made up. Picking up the option would guarantee Taylor $30.75MM over the life of the contract and tie him to Buffalo for the next five seasons. Buffalo, as expected, is unwilling to make that commitment.
The Bills made their feelings for Taylor crystal clear when they benched him in the season finale. Had Taylor taken the field and gotten seriously injured, Buffalo would have been stuck with his multi-year deal. Keeping him off the field also gave the team a chance to take another look at EJ Manuel, a favorite of GM Doug Whaley.
Still, as we learned this week, there is one scenario in which the Bills could still be stuck with Taylor’s hefty contract.
Colts To Retain Chuck Pagano, Ryan Grigson
Bad news for Colts fans who were hoping for a change. The team will be bringing back coach Chuck Pagano, according to Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (on Twitter). Meanwhile, we can expect the same for GM Ryan Grigson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Last month, owner Jim Irsay downplayed the possibility of a shakeup in the front office and on the sidelines.
“I would say it would be unlikely for any changes to occur, honestly. It’s unlikely, but look, we’ll see when we sit down and thoroughly vet the season,” Irsay said.
Pagano has a 49-31 record in his five seasons with the Colts. After starting off with three 11-5 seasons, the Colts have now finished .500 in the last two campaigns. The Colts aren’t fond of that trajectory, but the first five years of the Pagano/Andrew Luck regime has gone better than the first five years of Peyton Manning‘s career in Indianapolis under Jim Mora and Tony Dungy. Overall, Irsay feels that the team is still moving in the right direction.
Last January, Grigson was extended through the 2019 season, despite the team missing the playoffs in 2015. He’ll continue to work under that deal, but it sounds like 2017 will be a make-or-break year for both Grigson and Pagano.
Eagles Won’t Let Jets Interview John DeFilippo
The Eagles denied the Jets permission to interview their quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for their offensive coordinator vacancy, a league source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Teams are not required to allow position coaches to interview for coordinator gigs and the Eagles exercised their right to block the Jets’ inquiry on DeFilippo, even though it is a clear promotion. 
DeFilippo was not the only candidate on the Jets’ list, but he was certainly amongst the early favorites to land the job. The Jets have also been linked to former Chargers head coach Mike McCoy and today’s development could push them further in that direction.
I would speculate that the Eagles are shielding DeFilippo in the event that current offensive coordinator Frank Reich leaves for a head coaching gig. Already, Reich has been connected to the Bills job and there could be more interest coming down the pike. I would also imagine that the Eagles are giving DeFilippo a pay bump to avoid any discontent in 2017.
Redskins To Fire DC Joe Barry
DC Joe Barry is out in D.C. The Redskins are firing their defensive coordinator along with the rest of their defensive staff, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. 
Barry has had only two years in Washington, but in that time the Redskins have finished near the bottom of the league in yards allowed. Prior to joining the Redskins in 2015, Barry’s only previous experience as a DC came with the Lions in 2007 and 2008. With Detroit, his defenses finished dead last in yards allowed. In between the two jobs, he had stints as a linebackers coach for the Buccaneers, USC, and the Chargers.
Two years ago, head coach Jay Gruden chose Barry over Wade Phillips. Now that the Broncos and Phillips could be parting ways, Gruden could take this opportunity to reverse that decision. Whether it’s Phillips or someone else, the next DC will have intriguing pieces to work with, including cornerback Josh Norman, linebacker Mason Foster, and utility man Su’a Cravens.
Bills Could Be Stuck With Tyrod Taylor’s Salary
Tyrod Taylor is having sports hernia surgery today and his medical situation could complicate things for Buffalo this offseason. It seems unlikely that the Bills will want to move ahead with Taylor’s contract, which would call for $27.5MM in salary for 2017. However, if the Bills cut him while he’s injured, the union would argue that he’s entitled to his pay for next season, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets. 
The Bills must wait until Taylor is healthy before cutting him and it’s not a given if he’ll be healthy by March 12th, when his $15.5MM option bonus is due (link). Once that option bonus is paid, Taylor’s $12MM base salary also becomes fully guaranteed. All in all, that adds up to $27.5MM for a quarterback that Doug Whaley & Co. do not necessarily want.
We don’t know for sure that the Bills will decline their pricey option on Taylor, but all signs have been pointing to a divorce for the last month or so. The ouster of Rex Ryan, Taylor’s biggest advocate, was the first indication that there would be a shakeup under center. Shortly after Ryan’s firing, Whaley favorite EJ Manuel was named as the team’s starter for Week 17. Then, this morning, the team released an oddly-phrased statement regarding Taylor’s operation that seemed to point at some major discord between the two sides [emphasis ours]:
“Taylor had a consultation visit yesterday with Dr. William Meyers and elected to have surgery this morning,” the statement read. “The Bills were informed late yesterday of this morning’s procedure.”
Florida CB Jalen Tabor To Enter Draft
Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor is going pro. In an essay for The Players’ Tribune, the player known as “Teez” explained why he’s leaving Coral Gables for the NFL. 
[RELATED: Draft Rumors: Kaaya, Watt, Conley, Thomas]
“It’s an exciting time for me,” Tabor wrote. “I’ve decided to do what’s best for me and my family by continuing to pursue my dreams. But I’m not saying goodbye. I’m saying see you later. Hopefully I’ll make y’all proud and show how my passion for this game continues to shine through.”
Tabor now figures to be one of the best cornerbacks in this year’s class. Many have Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore ranked as the top CB, but Tabor could be the next one to come off the board and he could hear his name called in the first round. If that’s the case, that will give Florida two cornerbacks go in the first round in back-to-back years after Vernon Hargreaves was selected No. 11 overall in 2016. Fellow Florida corner Quincy Wilson also figures to go early on in the process, though he might be more of a second or third round prospect.