HEADLINES

Author: Zachary Links

Jaguars Meet With Josh McCown

January 21st, 2022 at 11:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars — who are searching for their next head coach — recently “had a conversation” with Josh McCown, according to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk790. However, their chat with McCown was not a formal interview for the position. 

[RELATED: Latest On Texans, McCown]

The Texans, meanwhile, seem to be very bullish on McCown as their next HC, despite his lack of experience. Because the longtime quarterback has never coached at the NFL or NCAA level, the Texans are reportedly hoping that other teams will interview McCown. This “conversation” with the Jaguars doesn’t exactly fit the criteria, but it might be enough for GM Nick Caserio to move on McCown, if that is indeed his preferred hire.

McCown, 42, spent the later part of his career as a mentor of young quarterbacks. He is, by all accounts, universally beloved and respected for his leadership qualities and football IQ. However, to date, his only coaching experience has come at the high school level, guiding his sons at Charlotte’s Myers Park High School.

In addition to McCown, the Texans are also weighing ex-Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, Chargers OC Joe Lombardi, Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon, and Rams OC Kevin O’Connell. The Jaguars, as you might expect after the Urban Meyer debacle, are prioritizing experience with this group of candidates:

Giants Hire Joe Schoen As GM

January 21st, 2022 at 10:46am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants have hired former Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen as their new GM, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Now, per a press release from the team, Schoen has been officially tapped as Dave Gettleman‘s replacement.

[RELATED: 2022 NFL General Manager Search Tracker]

“We are pleased and proud to name Joe as our general manager,” said Giants president John Mara. “Throughout our search, Joe impressed us with his ability to communicate a progressive and comprehensive vision for our team. His philosophy and collaborative approach to building a roster and coaching staff align with what we were looking for in a general manager.”

The Giants spoke with at least nine candidates during their search, before narrowing the field to three finalists: Schoen, 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters, and Chiefs executive Ryan Poles. This morning, the Giants informed Peters and Poles that they will be hiring someone else (Twitter link via Schefter) — that someone was Schoen.

“Steve [Tisch] and I were both impressed with all nine candidates,” Mara said, via the team’s press release. “We came away from this process feeling like all nine will be a general manager in this league at some point. We just felt like Joe was the right fit at the right time for us.”

Schoen, 42, has spent the past five seasons as an assistant under current GM Brandon Beane, who has a relationship with Schoen dating back to 2001 when he was the GM of the Panthers. The turnaround in Buffalo over the past few years, and Schoen’s role in that process, earned him plenty of GM interest. In addition to the G-Men, the Bears were also high on him, but they’ll have to look elsewhere.

“[Schoen is] going to be a GM,” Beane told The Athletic back in 2019. “The thing about him is that he’s smart enough to know that he’s still learning and growing, and he’s trying to get stronger at his craft. He wants to be totally ready when he gets in there.”

“Instead of just rushing to the seat and then trying to figure it out, Joe’s that guy that he wants to have all the answers to the test before he goes and sits down. Very few people are like that. There’s so many people in this business that are just trying to get into that head coach seat, that GM seat, and maybe they’re not ready for it. I have no doubt he’s going to be ready for it. He’s a great communicator. He understands people. You’re not going to outwork him.”

With Schoen at the helm, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll may have a leg up in the Giants’ head coaching search. It’s also worth noting that Giants ownership was high on Daboll, even before Schoen got the job today. Cowboys DC Dan Quinn and ex-Dolphins head coach Brian Flores are also expected to garner serious consideration.

Latest On Texans, Josh McCown

January 21st, 2022 at 10:28am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans are really keen on Josh McCown, despite his lack of coaching experience. With hopes of legitimizing the potential hire, the Texans are hoping that other clubs bring the longtime NFL quarterback in for head coaching interviews, according to a source who spoke with Mike Florio of PFT. 

McCown has reportedly been on GM Nick Caserio‘s radar for a while, even before/during/after the hiring of David Culley. Of course, Culley lasted just one year in Houston, as his own lack of HC experience seemed to hinder him. Even though McCown is highly respected in the football world, going with another green hire will surely raise some eyebrows. Caserio & Co. may be able to dodge some fan backlash, however, if McCown is considered for vacancies elsewhere.

In addition to McCown, the Texans are also weighing:

McCown, who has been with a dozen pro teams as a player, has never coached at the professional or collegiate level.

This Date In Transactions History: Titans Hire Mike Vrabel

January 21st, 2022 at 8:41am CST by Zachary Links

Four years ago today, the Titans tapped Mike Vrabel as their next head coach. The former Texans defensive coordinator wasn’t thought to be a frontrunner for the job, but he proved to be the “leader of men” that GM Jon Robinson was looking for.

Early on, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was said to be at the top of the Titans’ list. A few weeks later, it was clear that they made the right choice. McDaniels, of course, was announced as the next HC of the Colts, only to leave them at the altar that same day.

Robinson, a one-time Patriots scout, immediately clicked with the longtime Pats linebacker, according to Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk.

“You could see their connection right away from the history they have with one another – seeing the game in a similar way and talking the same language,” Strunk said. “Mike has a commanding presence and a deep knowledge for how he will attack this head coaching opportunity.”

With that, Vrabel became the 19th head coach in franchise history and the fourth since 2011. They also managed to snag runner-up Matt LaFleur, luring the Rams OC to Nashville for the same role. LaFleur would leave one year later to become the Packers’ HC, but Vrabel continued to deliver results.

Vrabel’s first Titans team went 9-7, even without Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker on the field. Since then, he’s taken the Titans to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons with AFC South titles in each of the last two years. With a win over the Bengals tomorrow, Vrabel can bring his club back to the AFC title game and one step closer to winning its first Super Bowl in over 20 years.

Ed Dodds Withdraws From Bears GM Search

January 19th, 2022 at 12:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Thanks, but no thanks. After some consideration, Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds has withdrawn his name from the Bears’ GM search (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero).

It’s not yet clear if Dodds is staying put or if he’s choosing to focus on other opportunities. The Raiders also have Dodds on their GM search list, alongside Bengals scout Trey Brown, Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly, and Patriots director of personnel Dave Ziegler.

Dodds in the running for GM jobs with the Lions and Panthers in the past cycle, so he has enough cache to be selective. A Colts exec since 2017, Dodds also impressed in his previous front office role with the Seahawks.

On the plus side, the Bears have already cast a wide net with roughly 15 candidates in the mix. As you’d expect, most of the names in this group are out-of-house candidates, though Kelly, a former Ryan Pace lieutenant, had the chance to interview last week.

Texans Request Interview With Rams’ Kevin O’Connell

January 19th, 2022 at 11:14am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans have asked the Rams for permission to speak with offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell about their head coaching vacancy (Twitter link via Albert Breer of The MMQB). It’s likely that the Rams will OK the request, given that O’Connell is already set to chat with the Vikings and Broncos.

O’Connell has been a popular name since taking over as Rams offensive coordinator in 2020. Following an impressive first season in Los Angeles, the Rams offense took a small step back in 2021, although this was mostly due to an inconsistent rushing attack.

In the last cycle, newly-hired Chargers coach Brandon Staley was interested in bringing O’Connell with him from the Rams. However, Rams HC Sean McVay blocked the lateral move, choosing instead to furnish O’Connell with more responsibilities (and, likely, a pay raise).

In addition to O’Connell, the Texans are also eyeing ex-Dolphins HC Brian Flores, Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon, Chargers OC Joe Lombardi, Patriots linebacker coach Jerod Mayo, and former Steelers star Hines Ward.

Matt Eberflus Set For Second Bears Interview

January 19th, 2022 at 11:08am CST by Zachary Links

The Bears will conduct a second interview with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus next week (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). With that, Eberflus now finds himself as a finalist for both the Bears and Jaguars. 

Despite lots of injuries, Eberflus’ Colts defense has been mostly solid over the past four years. The 51-year-old has long been regarded as one of the league’s sharpest minds and, finally, it appears that he’s on the verge of scoring his first ever head coaching position.

The Jets strongly considered Eberflus last year, but ultimately found a different defensive guru in Robert Saleh. The Chargers also met with Eberflus, though they ultimately chose Brandon Staley as their HC.

Colts head coach Frank Reich has spoken highly of Eberflus’ credentials and so has Nick Sirianni, the one-time Colts offensive coordinator who now serves as the Eagles’ HC.

“Adapt or get exposed at practice. Yes, we hustle. Yes, we finish. But we put a (higher) standard on it after being with Flus for a little bit,” Sirianni said towards the end of 2020 (via FOX59). “The way they practice obviously makes us better. The reason I think we’re good at protecting the football is because of how crazy they are at coming after it. Not everybody practices that way.’’

Giants, Adam Peters Schedule Second Interview

January 19th, 2022 at 10:57am CST by Zachary Links

Adam Peters will interview with the Giants once again on Thursday (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). With that, the 49ers assistant GM becomes the third known finalist for the Giants’ GM vacancy, joining Joe Schoen of the Bills and Ryan Poles of the Chiefs.

[RELATED: Giants Cast Wide Net In GM Search]

The Giants have considered at least nine candidates for the position, per PFR’s GM Search Tracker:

It’s possible that some of the other names on this list will be brought back for another round but, for now, it’s Peters, Poles, and Schoen in the lead to replace Dave Gettleman. Peters, who has been with the 49ers since 2017, offers ~18 years of NFL experience, including time with the Broncos and Patriots.

The Giants’ next GM will be tasked with heading the team’s latest rebuilding effort, which will include the hiring of a new head coach. Reportedly, the team is already eyeing former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who may want to bring Deshaun Watson with him.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/19/22

January 19th, 2022 at 10:41am CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of Wednesday’s reserve/futures deals here:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

  • CB Lamar Jackson

Cleveland Browns

  • RB John Kelly Jr.

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Football Team

Seahawks Request To Interview Bears DC Sean Desai

January 19th, 2022 at 8:57am CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks have requested an interview with Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic (Twitter link). If the request is granted, Desai will have a chance to take over for Ken Norton, who will be let go this week.

[RELATED: Seahawks To Part Ways With DC Ken Norton]

Desai, 38, has been with Chicago since 2013. The Bears promoted Desai to DC last February, handing him the keys to a talented, yet underperforming, unit.

“I’m not a big car guy, so my analogies may not be great, but this is like a tune up,” Desai said at the time. “We’re going to refine some things and we’re going to make sure our players are playing to their strengths on a consistent basis and they’re going to buy into the system and the whys and the hows of why we’re doing certain things. But we’ve got a good defense. We’ve got really good players here.”

Unfortunately, Desai got something of a lemon. Injuries to standouts like Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks left the Bears with a severely weakened pass rush, though Desai is credited with keeping things afloat throughout the year.

In addition to Desai, the Seahawks are also considering Ed Donatell, another product of the Vic Fangio coaching tree.

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