Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck Drawing NFL Interest
University of Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is drawing interest for NFL head coaching vacancies, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). At least one club wants to interview the 40-year-old, and there could be more inquiries on the way.
[RELATED: NFL Teams Considering Urban Meyer]
Fleck has played and coached in the NFL. He first came into the league as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers back in 2004, though he didn’t see much in the way of live action. Post-playing, he served as the Bucs’ wide receivers coach in 2012. Today, he leads the Golden Gophers with a 26-19 record over the last four years.
The Lions, Falcons, and Texans are looking for a head coach; the Jets will soon join them on the vacancy list. The Chargers, Jaguars, and Vikings may also be on the lookout soon, leaving as many as six openings across the league. Any team interested in Fleck will have to weigh the buyout costs, because his Minnesota contract runs through 2026 with $4.6MM coming next year.
Adam Gase: The Jets Haven’t Fired Me Yet
Even by Jets standards, it would be shocking to see Adam Gase in green next year. But, for what it’s worth, the embattled head coach says that he has not been clued in on his fate (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY).
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“That was news to me,” Gase said in response to a local radio report indicating that he’s already been canned. “No one has said that to me…You’re going to hate this answer, but it’s the best one I can give you: I learned when I was 22 years old, Nick Saban told me you do your job until somebody tells you different. That’s what I’m going to focus on.”
Gase’s Jets have managed two late-season wins to avoid a winless season and play their way out of the No. 1 overall pick. They’ll place no higher than No. 2 on the 2021 draft board, which means that Trevor Lawrence won’t be coming to the Meadowlands. Even if the Jets pull off a Week 17 upset over the Patriots, it’s hard to fathom Gase staying put. Still, he’s keeping his eye on the Pats, and not on his personal shortcomings.
“I don’t know if worry is really the right word,” Gase said when asked about his reputation as an offensive guru. “It pisses me off because if there’s one side of the ball I want to make sure is right, that one has not happened. And that’s on me.”
Dwayne Haskins Parts Ways With Agent
Dwayne Haskins is looking for a new team. He’s also looking for new representation. After going unclaimed on the waiver wire, the former Washington quarterback and agent David Mulugheta mutually agreed to part ways, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Panthers Interested In Dwayne Haskins]
There is, at least, a market for the former first-round pick. Several teams are said to be interested in the strong-armed QB, including the Panthers. Haskins, who has been pegged by many as having an attitude problem, is unlikely to sign with any team before the end of the year. Playoff contenders see Haskins as too green to trust as an emergency option. And, for non-playoff teams, there’s little sense in tying up payroll by signing Haskins immediately.
Washington had high hopes for Haskins after selecting him in the first round of the 2019 draft. It was a move that the franchise came to regret, and Ron Rivera‘s regime had little reason to keep up appearances. Haskins didn’t inspire confidence in his second pro season and his Week 16 performance was the final straw. Starting in place of Alex Smith, Haskins completed just 50% of his throws for 154 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. He was leapfrogged by Taylor Heinicke and responded poorly — Rivera quickly handed him a pink slip.
There were rumblings that his first head coach, Jay Gruden, never wanted him. Owner Dan Snyder may have forced Haskins on Gruden, but he didn’t make the same demand of Rivera.
Panthers Interested In Dwayne Haskins
The Panthers are showing interest in Dwayne Haskins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The former WFT quarterback went unclaimed on waivers this week, leaving him free to sign with any club. 
[RELATED: Washington Cuts Dwayne Haskins]
The Panthers aren’t the only team with intrigue, either. RapSheet hears that “several teams” are kicking the tires on the 2019 first-round pic, though he’s unlikely to sign before the end of the season.
Haskins was atrocious in Washington, but he’s still 23 with plenty of upside. It also helps that Haskins would come at a cheaper rate that his original contract. Haskins was something of a draft darling in ’19, thanks in large part to his tremendous arm strength.
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is one coach who thinks that he can get the best out of the youngster. The Panthers would also provide him a strong mentor in starter Teddy Bridgewater. Currently, Bridgewater has P.J. Walker and Will Grier as his backups.
Even after moving on from Haskins, Washington will still be responsible for the balance of his contract with $1.8MM (2021) and $2.46MM (2022) base salaries on the books.
49ers To Sign Robbie Gould To Extension
The 49ers have agreed to a two-year, $7.25MM fully guaranteed extension with kicker Robbie Gould, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The new deal will tie Gould to SF through the 2022 season. 
Gould, 38, posted arguably the best season of his career in 2018, converting a league-leading 97.1% of his field goal attempts. He made both of his attempts from 50+ yards, and missed only two extra points. At one point, Gould and the 49ers seemed destined for divorce. The veteran requested a trade to bring him closer to his family, which many read as a push to return to Chicago. The 49ers, however, held firm and refused to deal him.
Gould inked a four-year, $19MM extension with the Niners in 2019, but it included an option for the 2021 season. Tomorrow was the deadline to trigger it. Instead, they’ve worked out a fresh pact that could have Gould in place through his 40th birthday.
This hasn’t been a banner year for Gould. Just last week against the Cardinals, Gould missed attempts from 41 and 37 yards out and sent an XP wide right. Still, his 82.6% rate on the year is a step up from last year’s 74.2% showing.
Panthers’ Russell Okung To Be Paid In Bitcoin
Panthers offensive tackle Russell Okung will receive half of his $13MM in salary in bitcoin, per an announcement from Okung and a payments startup called Strike. Okung, who once tweeted “Pay me in Bitcoin!,” will fulfill his goal with the help of the Panthers. Rather than receiving his entire paycheck directly in USD, the Panthers will send half of his dollars to the payment company, who will then deposit bitcoin into Okung’s account.
While this is more of a savvy PR stunt than anything else, it’s notable that the Panthers are working in concert with the Bitcoin company to make it possible. The arrangement has also been approved by the NFL and the NFLPA. The founder of Strike’s parent company claims that members of the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets are also in the process of switching to crypto, but such plans may require the cooperation of the NBA and MLB.
Okung, 32, is in the final year of the four-year, $53MM contract he originally signed with the Chargers. He’ll be a free agent in a matter of months, though he’s hinted at potentially retiring to pursue outside endeavors. Over the last two years, Okung has been limited to just 13 total games. After missing the previous two weeks with a calf injury, it’s unclear if he’ll play in the season finale against the Saints.
Washington Cuts Dwayne Haskins
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins has been released, per an announcement from the Washington Football Team. The news comes just hours after Haskins was benched and leapfrogged on the depth chart by Taylor Heinicke.
“This afternoon I met with Dwayne and informed him that we would be releasing him,” head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “I told him that I believe it benefits both parties that we go our separate ways. We want to thank Dwayne for his contributions these last two seasons and wish him well moving forward.”
Washington had high hopes for Haskins after selecting him in the first round of the 2019 draft. It was a move that the franchise came to regret, and Ron Rivera‘s regime had little reason to keep up appearances. Haskins didn’t inspire confidence in his second pro season and his Week 16 performance put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Haskins started on Sunday in place of Alex Smith, completing just 50% of his passes for 154 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also lost a crucial fumble. NFL journeyman Heinicke took his place and looked a whole lot better. If Smith can’t go in the regular season finale, it’ll be Heinicke under center for the WFT.
Per league rules, Haskins will be subject to waivers. If he goes unclaimed in the next 24 hours, he’ll be free to sign with any team. As a first-round pick his initial rookie deal is fully guaranteed, meaning that any team that claims him would be on the hook for $1.8MM in 2021 and $2.46MM in 2022. If he goes unclaimed, it’ll be Washington paying him that money.
With those millions coming his way, it’s probably more likely that any interested teams pass on him on waivers and try to sign him to a cheap non-guaranteed deal instead. It’s a remarkable fall from grace for the former Ohio State star who was the 15th pick in the draft less than two years ago.
There were reports that former coach Jay Gruden’s staff never wanted him, and that he was forced on them by owner Dan Snyder. Obviously, Rivera’s new staff had no connection to the pick, making it easier to cut ties. Due to his college accomplishments and draft pedigree we haven’t heard the last of him, but he also certainly won’t be handed a starting job anywhere after what he’s put on tape the past two years.
He’ll finish his tenure in Washington averaging 6.3 yards per attempt with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 16 games and 13 starts. His best bet to salvage his career may be to try to find a team with an aging veteran quarterback he can sit behind with a coaching staff interested in developing him.
Seahawks To Release Damon Harrison
Seahawks defensive tackle Damon Harrison asked for his release, and the team will oblige his request, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). For Snacks, the final straw was his healthy scratch for Sunday’s game against the Rams. 
“We’re going to talk [on Monday],” Carroll said after the game. “I just know that he was disappointed that he wasn’t active for this game. That’s what we’re talking about.”
Even if that conversation happens, it probably won’t change much. Harrison, a first-team All-Pro in 2016, was leapfrogged by the return of Bryan Mone, and that left him feeling slighted.
“Didn’t want to [leave Seattle] but it’s time,” Harrison tweeted. “I came here to help and I’ve done that and now it’s time to move on. I came back this year to play and that’s all I want. Team is back healthy and playing really well..it’s my time to head out. Still all love and respect for the ‘Hawks!”
In typical Harrison fashion, he performed as a solid run-stuffer with less-than-solid showings on passing plays. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall score of 68.1 — his 81.7 ground grade was weighed down by his 47.9 passing mark. Mone, meanwhile, has been more balanced with 61.6 and 63.1 scores.
Harrison leaves Seattle with nine tackles and a forced fumble in six games. Meanwhile, the Seahawks — sans Snacks — will roll into the playoffs as the NFC West champs.
Rams’ Darrell Henderson Suffers Ankle Injury
The Rams could be down two running backs when they face the Cardinals on Sunday. Darrell Henderson‘s ankle injury could keep him out of the critical Week 17 game, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (on Twitter). 
The Rams had much of the running game on Henderson’s shoulders against the Seahawks as Cam Akers was sidelined with an ankle injury of his own. Then, he was forced out in the third quarter on a goal line carry. Henderson’s leg bent awkwardly as Jamal Adams took him to the ground and the Rams now must wait for tests to see how his ankle responds.
Henderson finished his day with 12 carries for 62 yards, bringing his season tally to 624 yards rushing and 4.5 yards per carry. Along the way, he’s also scored five rushing TDs plus a 16/159/1 receiving line. Akers, the second-round rookie sensation out of Florida State, has been even more effective for the Rams. In 12 games, he’s got 4.8 yards per carry plus three all-purpose TDs.
After dropping two straight, the Rams can still control their destiny with a win over the Cardinals. Alternatively, they can still reach the playoffs if they lose, but they’ll need the Bears to do the same against the Packers.
NFL To Expand To 17-Game Season
It’s happening. In 2021, the NFL will go from a 16-game regular season to a 17-game slate, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This was the expected move and the league office is expected to make it all official in the coming weeks.
The last round of CBA negotiations provided the NFL with this option, even though many players were opposed. On the plus side, the additional revenue from a 17th game should help to soften the expected drop in the 2021 salary cap. And, to offset the extra game, the NFL will move from a four-game preseason to a two or three-game preseason schedule. The new arrangement will not add another bye week, but the 18-week season will push the Super Bowl to the second week of February.
The new CBA mandates a salary cap floor of $175MM, but the additional game could drive it a bit higher. In any event, the number is expected to fall short of this year’s $198.2MM max. Meanwhile, the league’s new scheduling formula will account for the odd number of games. The “extra game” will be an inter-conference matchup, pitting AFC and NFC teams against each other in accordance with their divisional finish. Host sites will alternate between the AFC and NFC.