Steve Spagnuolo Hoping For Another Head Coaching Job
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is focused on winning yet another Super Bowl on Sunday. But, sometime in the future, Spags would like to be a head coach again.
[RELATED: Chiefs Place Players On COVID List]
“I’d like to get another crack at a head-coaching job,” Spagnuolo said (via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post) “But…listen, I don’t stay up nights thinking about it.”
Spagnuolo, 61, served as the Rams’ head coach from 2009-2011. Unfortunately, his St. Louis teams combined to go 10-38 across three seasons. After that, he bounced around and returned to the Giants during the Ben McAdoo administration before joining up with old pal Andy Reid. Things have gone pretty well in KC, but Spagnuolo is still looking for a shot at redemption.
“I’m a competitor like anybody else,” Spagnuolo said. “It didn’t go as great as we wanted to in St. Louis, except for that one year. It’s a proving ground, the NFL is the greatest proving ground of all sports. So that part of it, I’d like another shot.”
Spagnuolo didn’t pop up in this past cycle, but he could garner attention next time around — especially if he’s able to keep a lid on Tom Brady this Sunday.
Packers Interview Kris Richard For DC
The Packers have discussed their defensive coordinator vacancy with Kris Richard, as Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. He’s the latest candidate to surface for the job, joining Chargers assistant Joe Barry, Rams safeties coach Ejiro Evero, and Washington defensive backs coach Chris Harris on the list. 
Richard was one of the architects of the Seahawks’ famed Legion of Boom. After managing Seattle’s defensive backs, he was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2015. The ‘Hawks parted ways with Richard at the end of the 2017 season, prompting him to move on to the Cowboys as their DB/defensive passing game coach.
He didn’t get to stick around for Mike McCarthy‘s staff, however, and he spent the 2020 season out of football. Still, it wasn’t long ago that Richard was being considered for head coaching jobs and his overall track record is impressive.
Richard, who also interviewed with the Raiders before the hiring of Gus Bradley, would take over for Mike Pettine.
Vikings To Interview Tyke Tolbert For OC
The Vikings will interview Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert for their offensive coordinator vacancy (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Tolbert worked closely with recently-retired coordinator Gary Kubiak in Denver, so Tolbert could help the Vikings keep the same system in place.
Tolbert was on Kubiak’s staff during the Broncos’ run to Super Bowl 50. He impressed during his time in Denver, and Kubiak has long lobbied for Tolbert to get his big break.
“He’s an amazing coach, a great person, handles personalities extremely well [and] gets the most out of his players,” Kubiak said in 2016 (via the Broncos’ team website). “So I think that would be an exceptional thought. He’s a heck of a football coach.”
The Vikings were a disappointment on the whole, but that was mostly on the defense. Offensively, the Vikings saw Dalvin Cook rush for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns while rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson showed serious promise. In terms of talent, Tolbert would have tons to work with.
Packers HC: Aaron Rodgers Staying “For A Long Time”
On Monday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was asked about Aaron Rodgers‘ status with the team. LaFleur did not hesitate or stutter as he addressed the team’s top offseason storyline. 
[RELATED: Rodgers Says Future Is “Uncertain”]
“Is that a trick question?,” LaFleur said (Twitter link via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “Absolutely. There’s no doubt about it. You’re talking about the guy who’s going to win the MVP of the league. We’re not in this position without him.”
After the Packers’ devastating loss in the NFC title game, Rodgers told reporters that his future is “uncertain.” The quarterback has downplayed his comments since then, though talk persists of Rodgers’ unhappiness in Green Bay and, potentially, his desire for a new deal. Currently, Rodgers ranks just fifth among quarterbacks in average annual salary, behind Patrick Mahomes ($45MM), Deshaun Watson($39MM), Russell Wilson ($35MM), and Ben Roethlisberger ($34MM). It’s fair to say that he’s due for a raise after turning in an absolutely stellar season.
A new contract may help but, ultimately, Rodgers seems to be searching for a stronger commitment from the Packers as Jordan Love waits in the wings. Things haven’t been great between Rodgers and LaFleur, but the head coach’s latest comments may help smooth things out.
Lions Had 6+ Offers For Matthew Stafford
The Lions agreed to trade Matthew Stafford to the Rams over the weekend, but not before mulling more than six offers in total, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (Twitter links). A few of those packages included a 2021 first-rounder. Ultimately, the Lions opted for two future first-round picks, plus Jared Goff‘s outsized contract. 
The Lions’ choice may reflect some level of confidence in Goff, who has struggled mightily since signing a four-year, $134MM extension with the Rams. Meanwhile, the Rams have secured a clear upgrade at the QB position for the here-and-now. Of course, the deal also shows exactly how hard it was for the Rams to unload Goff’s contract. The Rams mortgaged the future even further with this blockbuster, sacrificing their 2022 and 2023 first-rounders, plus a 2021 third-round pick. They’ll also be saddled with $22.2MM in dead money, while saving $12.4MM on his ’21 cap hit.
At one point, it was reported that 10-12 teams had expressed interest in Stafford. The 49ers – with a once-promising and highly-paid QB of their own — were among the rumored suitors, though it’s not clear if they were among the finalists. At the end of the day, the Rams outbid everyone else, landing the soon-to-be 33-year-old and escaping one of the league’s largest commitments all at once. The Lions, now led by ex-Rams exec Brad Holmes, will have ample ammunition as they remake their roster. As for the Rams — they’ll be without their original first-round pick until 2024, at the earliest.
Giants To Sign Jonotthan Harrison
The Giants have inked signed center Jonotthan Harrison to a one-year futures deal worth $2MM, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Typically, reserve/futures contracts are for the bare minimum, but the Giants were willing to go above and beyond for the talented lineman. 
[RELATED: Giants Sign Breeland Speaks To Futures Deal]
Harrison began his career with the Colts and seemed on track for a promising career as a first-stringer. He started in 19 games for Indy between 2014 and 2015, but seemed to regress as time went on. By 2016, he was a backup who graded out as one of the league’s worst interior linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
In 2017, then-Jets GM Mike Maccagnan inked him to a one year deal. Harrison went on to start in 19 of 40 games over the next three seasons. Then, just before the start of the 2020 season, Joe Douglas jettisoned him from the roster. After spending 2020 with Buffalo’s practice squad, Harrison will return to the Meadowlands and look to prove himself all over again.
Futures contracts are typically for players on the fringe with less-than-stellar odds of making the final cut. However, the Giants may view Harrison as more of an early free agent pickup. He’ll be joined by fellow NFL notable Breeland Speaks — the 2018 second-round choice inked his own reserve/futures deal earlier this month.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford To Play On Current Contract
The Rams pulled off a weekend blockbuster, acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Lions in exchange for Jared Goff and a sizable draft haul. And, after escaping Goff’s monster contract, the Rams and Stafford agreed to keep the veteran’s contract as-is (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). 
Stafford has two years and $43MM to go on his deal, and that’s how it’ll stay, even though the market has advanced since he last put pen to paper. For the soon-to-be 33-year-old, finding the best possible fit was more important than money, Rapoport hears.
That’s not to say that the Rams are viewing Stafford as a short-term option. Stafford’s coming off of a solid individual season that included nearly 4,100 passing yards with 26 touchdowns versus ten interceptions. Even at his advanced age, it’s clear that he has plenty left in the tank. Also, the Rams will have significantly less draft capital moving forward, even if they do have an inclination to upgrade under center. Rams GM Les Snead shipped away the team’s 2022 and 2023 first-round picks to dump Goff’s deal. In total, that makes seven consecutive first-round picks traded since Goff’s selection in 2016.
Stafford leaves Detroit with the Lions’ franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns. He also leaves town with a losing record in his 165 starts. Now, he has his best chance to win in ages, and he’ll gladly do it with a below-market contract.
Lions Trade Matthew Stafford To Rams For Jared Goff
The Lions have agreed to trade Matthew Stafford to the Rams, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The deal will send the Lions’ longtime star to L.A. in exchange for fellow QB Jared Goff, plus a slew of draft picks. The exact terms of the trade could evolve in the coming weeks, but here’s what the trade currently looks like: 
Rams receive:
- QB Matthew Stafford
Lions receive:
- QB Jared Goff
- 2021 third-round pick
- 2022 first-round pick
- 2023 first-round pick
The deal cannot become official until March 17th, though Stafford will surely be in contact with his new bosses much sooner. Stafford, soon to be 33, had spent all 12 of his NFL seasons in Detroit. When Stafford and the Lions agreed to go their separate ways, the Colts, Patriots, Broncos, and Washington TBDs were quickly connected to him. Ultimately, the Rams pounced on their chance to upgrade at the QB position and unload Goff’s contract in a historic swap of former No. 1 overall picks.
Goff earned Pro Bowl nods in Year 2 and Year 3 of his pro career, including a 2018 campaign where was under center for a Super Bowl appearance. Things have tailed off over the past two years, despite his high-priced extension. In 2019, he threw a career-high 16 interceptions. He followed that up with just 20 passing touchdowns in 2020 — the lowest total since his rookie year, when he started in just seven games.
Stafford, meanwhile, has fallen short of the 20-TD mark just once since 2011. Aside from his injury-filled 2019 campaign with just 19 passing touchdowns, he’s been an absolute rock for the Lions. The Rams are now set to add one of the game’s top quarterbacks to one of the league’s most talented rosters.
The Lions, meanwhile, will try their hand with Goff, who won’t turn 27 until October. Not long removed from his NFC title — or his No. 1 overall selection, for that matter — there’s reason to believe that Goff can get back on track. Even if he can’t, the Lions have tons of draft ammunition to work with in their rebuild.
Titans Promote Shane Bowen To DC
The Titans promoted outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen to defensive coordinator, per a club announcement. Between Bowen and newly-minted offensive coordinator Todd Downing, the Titans’ staff is mostly set.
Last year, it was rumored that Bowen would get bumped up to defensive coordinator following Dean Pees‘ retirement. That didn’t happen, however, as head coach Mike Vrabel kept control over the defense. This year, the longtime NFL linebacker reconsidered his position and promoted Bowen.
“Shane will move into the dedicated role of coordinator, with [special teams assistant Ryan Crow] taking over the outside linebackers this year, and I am looking forward to him growing in that role,” Vrabel said. “We are going to work hard to improve that side of the ball through better coaching, improving our system and our players. I like the group we have on the defensive staff and I am confident that we will improve.”
Before landing on Bowen, the Titans offered Pees an opportunity to return to his old job. Pees declined, however, choosing to instead make his return with the Falcons.
Texans GM: “Zero Interest” In Deshaun Watson Trade
Deshaun Watson wants out. The Texans won’t blink. On Friday, Texans GM Nick Caserio and new head coach David Culley reiterated their desire to keep the quarterback in Houston. 
[RELATED: Panthers To Pursue Watson]
“Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio, pre-empting the slew of questions to come about Watson (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). “We have zero interest in trading the player..We have a great plan and vision for him. We look forward to spending more time with him.”
Caserio believes that “honest” and “forthright” communication can mend fences between the Texans and their star quarterback. Culley agreed as he backed up the GM with an even more confident declaration.
“He is a Houston Texan. I want him to be a Houston Texan,” said Culley (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). “The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he’s going to be a Houston Texan.”
Watson is interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets with a slight preference towards the Jets…or the Dolphins, depending on who you ask. The Panthers have also jumped in, less than one year after signing Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63MM deal. The Jets and Dolphins could line up especially well for a trade, given their wealth of draft capital. And, with the Dolphins, the Texans could try for a Tua Tagovailoa trade.
But, despite all of the possibilities — and Watson’s strong desire to get out of town — the Texans say he’s staying put.