Jaguars To Meet With Urban Meyer
The Jaguars are set to meet with Urban Meyer on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Meyer has long been regarded as the frontrunner for the job, but the Jaguars are planning to conduct a thorough search before making their pick. 
The Jaguars have already interviewed Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy and Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris. Then, on Saturday, they’ll chat with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Meyer — who may or may not be seeking $12MM/year in order to jump to the pros — would be an immediate hit in Northern Florida. The former UF and Ohio State coach has a long track record of success, including National Championships in 2006, 2008, and 2014.
For Meyer, it’s an opportunity to return to the sidelines after a two-year layoff. He’ll also have the opportunity to groom the No. 1 overall pick — likely to be Clemson phenom Trevor Lawrence, but possibly Ohio State standout Justin Fields. That process will play out in concert with the Jaguars’ next GM, plus input from owner Shad Khan.
Matt Eberflus Turns Down Texans Interview
Thanks, but no thanks. Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has turned down the Texans’ request for an interview, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. 
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The Texans requested an interview with Eberflus just prior to hiring Nick Caserio as their new GM. It’s not immediately clear why Eberflus backed out, but he could see better — and more stable — opportunities elsewhere. Eberflus will be chatting with the Jets and Chargers about their head coaching vacancies soon. The Chargers present an interesting win-now opportunity with perhaps less dysfunction than the Texans. As for the Jets…well, you’ll have to ask Eberflus.
So far, the Texans have interviewed Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, ex-Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, and former Colts and Lions coach Jim Caldwell. Those men may, or may not, have the opportunity to coach Deshaun Watson in 2021.
Jets Meet With Marvin Lewis
The Jets interviewed Marvin Lewis for their head coaching vacancy on Thursday, per a club announcement. This marks’ Lewis third interview, following chats with the Texans and Lions. 
Lewis is best known for his time as the Bengals’ head coach and the Ravens’ defensive coordinator before that. His most recent stop was in Arizona State, where he served as the co-DC under one-time Jets HC Herman Edwards.
Lewis’ career 131-122-3 regular season record doesn’t get fans too excited, nor does 0-7 playoff record. Still, his Bengals teams won the AFC North four times, and he remains a well-respected defensive mind. The Jets are at least interested in the experienced head coach, though they’re also willing to consider an up-and-comer like Aaron Glenn. In addition to Lewis and their longtime cornerback, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are also among those on the radar.
None of the candidates will be directly interviewed by owner Woody Johnson, though he will reportedly be kept in the loop.
Falcons Interview Nathaniel Hackett
The Falcons interviewed Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on Thursday (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport and Peter Schrager of NFL.com). This marks Hackett’s first head coaching interview of the offseason.
Hackett, 41, has been in Green Bay since 2019. He comes into this cycle with strong reviews from head coach Matt LaFleur, as well as quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“Hack has been a really important part of our culture change and a part of our success on offense. I love him,” Rodgers said recently. “Hope he doesn’t go anywhere. Unless I do.”
The Packers offense took another step forward in 2020 with Hackett’s guidance. The unit finished first in points and fifth in total yards with a steady balance between the passing game and the running game.
It’s worth noting that Hackett’s old boss, Doug Marrone, is also available for hire after being fired by the Jaguars. If Hackett is hired in Atlanta, he could conceivably bring Marrone along with him for a role-reversal.
Hackett is the fifth candidate to meet with the Falcons. Previously, they interviewed incumbent Raheem Morris, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady for the job.
Jets To Interview Aaron Glenn, Robert Saleh
The Jets have requested permission to interview Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn for their head coaching job, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Glenn, who played for the Jets in his first eight NFL seasons, has impressed as a lieutenant to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. 
The Bengals were interested in hiring Glenn as their DC in 2019, before the Saints blocked their interview request. In this case, Glenn is in the clear, since teams cannot block assistants from discussing head coaching opportunities. The move to HC would slingshot Glenn up the ladder, but it wouldn’t be an unprecedented leap.
The Jets are also set to interview 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for the position, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Saleh — who is also in the mix for the Falcons, Lions, Jaguars, and Chargers — appears to be one of the hottest candidates in this cycle.
Even though much of the talk in New York is centered around the quarterback position, the Jets could use the defensive expertise of someone like Glenn or Saleh.
Jaguars’ Shad Khan To Control Roster, No. 1 Pick
The Jaguars’ next GM will have a tremendous opportunity to help rebuild the franchise. However, owner Shad Khan says that he will continue to have final say over the roster, draft, and all personnel matters. 
“I kept the roster control and…the general manager candidates, I’ve been talking to them, that for the immediate future I’m going to keep the roster control,” Khan said (via Michael Lombardi of The Athletic). “And I want the coach to know that also. What’s evaded the history of the Jags, really, has been a franchise quarterback. We have the ability now to make a choice, and it’s going to define the franchise moving forward.”
Of course, Khan probably won’t have to think too hard about the No. 1 overall pick. The Jaguars are almost certain to select Clemson superstar Trevor Lawrence, who may be the best draft-eligible quarterback since Andrew Luck. Lawrence, to the surprise of no one, officially declared earlier this week.
Khan may keep control, but he’s not expected to be an all-out babysitter of his next GM. So far, their candidate pool includes former Browns general manager Ray Farmer, Saints assistant GM Terry Fontenot, former Giants GM Jerry Reese, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, and former Texans general manager Rick Smith. For the latest on the Jags and other GM-less teams, check out our 2021 NFL GM Search Tracker.
Bucs’ Rob Gronkowski Unsure About Retirement
Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski says he isn’t sure if he’ll return for another year of football (Twitter link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). With that in mind, the Bucs’ upcoming game against the Washington Football Team could be his last.
[RELATED: Bucs Sign Bucannon To Practice Squad]
“It’s just the start of playoffs right now. There’s always a time for that,” Gronkowski said.
Gronk plans to make the call roughly one month after the season ends. His first retirement came in the spring of 2019, citing physical pain and a lack of motivation. In his return to Tampa Bay, Gronk seems to have healed on both fronts. The 31-year-old has played in every game for the Bucs, catching 45 passes for 623 yards and seven scores. Those numbers aren’t as gaudy as his Pro Bowl years with the Patriots, but it’s clear that he still has plenty left in the tank.
It stands to reason that Gronk will want to continue playing alongside Tom Brady, but he won’t be bound to the Bucs either. The future Hall of Famer will be an unrestricted free agent in March, allowing him to play anywhere he wants — if he plays at all.
Patriots’ Cam Newton Won’t Wait To Sign
Cam Newton is on track for free agency in the spring. This time around, the Patriots quarterback tells Greg Hill of WEEI that he doesn’t want to wait until the summer to sign a deal. 
“That’s definitely going to go into consideration,” Newton said (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss). “I’m not going to wait in the latter part of another season when I have the opportunity to do something or sign with someone.”
Though no decision has been made, the Patriots are not expected to re-sign Newton. Newton threw for just five touchdowns against ten interceptions, resulting in an NFL-low 78.9 quarterback rating. The Patriots expected more from the former MVP, and they missed the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
Newton may still hold appeal for other teams, given his potential and the dearth of talent at the QB position. Plus, he’s shown he can still be effective with his feet, having rushed 126 times for 513 yards (4.1 YPC average) and 12 TDs. He also stayed healthy – no small feat, given his pre-Patriots history.
No matter where he lands, the 31-year-old has every intention of starting.
“If you are asking me, Do I want to be a backup? Hell no!,” Newton said. “When I look at other teams, and I’m looking at other players play, there have been guys that have been getting away with murder for years because of subpar play. Do I have the right to say that with the year I had this year? No. But I’m going to be honest and say it because that’s what I do.”
Rams’ Andrew Whitworth To Continue Playing
Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth will be back in action for Saturday’s Wild Card game against the Seahawks. He also says he’ll be back for another year of football, as Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated writes. 
“I’m pretty jacked up to come back, that’s for sure,” Whitworth said. “I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t [return] next season.”
Whitworth, 39, previously said that 2020 would probably be his final season. He also said the same thing in 2019, so his announcement doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise. This year, Pro Football Focus rated him as one of the league’s top lineman. He played at a high level throughout his 15th pro season, up until the knee injury that put him on the sidelines. Without Whitworth, the Rams dropped games to losing clubs, further underscoring his importance to the team.
The Rams still have Whitworth under contract through 2022 thanks to the three-year, $30MM deal he inked in the spring. You can expect him back in L.A. next season, when he’ll continue on as one of the oldest linemen in NFL history.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/6/21
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Terrell Bonds
- Released: LB James Crawford
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Ricky Seals-Jones
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: RB Tyler Gaffney
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB C.J. Prosise
- Released: CB Mazzi Wilkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Marcus Johnson
Washington Football Team
- Signed: RB Javon Leake