PFR Originals: Bowles, Ryan, Raiders
In case you missed it, here’s a look back at some of our recent originals:
- On December 30, 2018, Jets fans were overjoyed when they learned head coach Todd Bowles had been fired. Fast forward three years, and fans have endured at least one head coaching failure. As our own Ben Levine writes, Jets fans may be questioning whether they should have kept Bowles after all.
- Christmas Day tends to be pretty quiet in the NFL. But, on December 25th of last year, the Giants had quite the gift for Logan Ryan — a three-year, $30MM extension with $11.5MM fully guaranteed. The veteran defensive back dropped plenty of hints beforehand, waiting out most of the previous offseason as he pushed for a $10MM/year deal. At the time of signing, Ryan earned his shiny new contract with 83 tackles, one interception, one sack, three forced fumbles, and nine passes defensed through 14 games.
- In another holiday firing, the Raiders sacked Jack Del Rio on NYE 2017. JDR, who amassed a 25-23 record, was quickly replaced by Jon Gruden. Since then, Del Rio went public with some unflattering comments about Derek Carr and his performance in cold weather games. Fortunately, that storyline has a happy ending as Del Rio and the quarterback recently hashed things out. “We had a good talk,” Carr said. “Obviously I wish it was better for me, but we just expressed our love for one another and how thankful we were for the times that we had.”
5 Key Stories: 12/27/21 – 1/1/22
Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:
- NFL Legend John Madden Passes Away: Late last week, NFL legend John Madden passed away at the age of 85. Madden, of course, is one of the most iconic NFL personalities of all time, evolving from Hall of Fame coach to famed broadcaster to the face of the sport’s most popular video game franchise. “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.”
- Jaguars Kick Off HC Search: The Jaguars requested interviews with Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore and DC Dan Quinn, Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett, and experienced HCs Doug Pederson and Jim Caldwell. Quinn has since declined the opportunity for an early interview, but he could still chat with the Jags at a later date.
- Colts Reached Out To Rivers: Colts head coach Frank Reich recently asked Philip Rivers if he’d be interested in coming out of retirement. Even though Rivers has left the door open to an eventual return, it doesn’t sound like the 40-year-old is interested in filling in for Carson Wentz. In his lone Colts season, Rivers completed 68% of his passes and finished with a 24-to-11 TD-INT ratio.
- Giants’ Joe Judge Likely To Return: The Giants reportedly plan to stay patient with head coach Joe Judge, even as they wrap up another losing season. For his part, Judge says he’s still committed to turning things around in New York. “I’ve said this from the beginning: I’m not interested in having some kind of quick flash,” Judge said. “I’m not interested in shortcuts. I’m not interested in quick fixes. I want to do this the right way. When I took this job I made it very, very clear that I was only going to do this if we’re all committed to doing this the right way. And that’s something that’s been very clear from ownership on down.”
- Roethlisberger Addresses Likely Steelers Exit: Ben Roethlisberger has not publicly committed to retiring after the season, but Monday’s matchup with the Browns will almost certainly be his final home game with the Steelers. On Thursday, Big Ben addressed the speculation and seemingly acknowledged the end of his 18-year Pittsburgh run. As of this writing, Roethlisberger sits 24th in QBR for this season.
Latest On 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo
Jan. 2: Lance will indeed get the second start of his career, as Garoppolo will miss the Niners’ Week 17 contest against the Texans and will require offseason surgery on his injured thumb, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. That does not preclude Garoppolo from suiting up for the club’s Week 18 bout with the Rams, though if San Francisco should qualify for the playoffs today — which will happen if it defeats Houston and New Orleans loses to Carolina — Lance would presumably start the regular season finale as well.
The surgery should not have much of an impact on Garoppolo’s trade market this offseason, but his sustaining an injury at a critical juncture underscores why the 49ers made the bold move to acquire Lance in the first place and why they plan to trade Garoppolo in the coming months.
Dec. 31: The 49ers have listed Jimmy Garoppolo as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Texans, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. But, for what it’s worth, head coach Kyle Shanahan says he’s still “holding out hope” for Garoppolo being able to start.
[RELATED: 49ers Plan To Trade Jimmy Garoppolo In Offseason]
Garoppolo is dealing with a Grade 3 sprain, rather than a fracture, according to Shanahan. That at least gives the quarterback some chance of suiting up as the Niners push for a postseason berth.
“I’ve been told he does not need surgery right now,” said Shanahan (Twitter link via Cam Inman of the East Bay Times). “To clear that up, (sprain) is way it was worded to me, he has a Grade III sprain. Reason they never mentioned to me a fracture it doesn’t have much to do with the sprain; it pulled off a fleck of the bone.”
Garoppolo suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s game, a 20-17 loss to the Titans. If he can’t go this week, rookie Trey Lance will be in line for his start No. 2, his first since Week 5.
So far this year, Garoppolo gone 8-6 in 14 starts, completing 68% of his throws for 3,494 yards and 19 touchdowns against ten interceptions. Lance, meanwhile, went 15-of-29 for 192 yards and one INT in his start, a low-scoring loss to the Cardinals.
The Niners control their own destiny in the Wild Card race, so wins over the Texans and Rams would punch their ticket to the playoffs.
This Date In Transactions History: Raiders Fire Jack Del Rio
Four years ago today, the Raiders fired head coach Jack Del Rio. The decision came shortly after a lopsided loss to the Chargers in the season finale, capping the Raiders’ season at 6-10.
[RELATED: Latest On Raiders, Mike Mayock]
“[Raiders owner] Mark Davis told me he loved me and appreciated all that I did to get this program going to right direction,” said Del Rio. “But, [he also] that he felt he needed a change.”
Davis hired Del Rio in 2015 and saw the team improve from 3-13 to 7-9. That Raiders team didn’t necessarily set the world on fire, but they were at least in the playoff hunt, up until a Week 15 loss to the Packers. In 2016, it appeared that the Raiders were on the right track. With Del Rio at the helm and Derek Carr under center, the Raiders finished 12-4 to earn their first playoff spot since 2002.
Unfortunately, Carr didn’t make it to the postseason after suffering a broken fibula in Week 16. Then, when Matt McGloin suffered a shoulder injury the following week, rookie Connor Cook was thrust into action. Oakland’s long-awaited playoff appearance ended abruptly with a loss to the Texans. Had Carr been on the field, it’s possible that things could have gone differently for the Raiders and JDR.
So, after a cumulative 25-23 record, the Raiders dismissed Del Rio and immediately set their sights on Jon Gruden. Del Rio, meanwhile, spent the next few years away from football, up until 2020 when he became Washington’s defensive coordinator.
When Del Rio crossed paths with his old team a few weeks back, he had an opportunity to mend fences with Carr. Previously, Del Rio had some unflattering things to say about Carr’s ability to perform in cold weather. Fortunately, with 2021 drawing to a close, they were able to bury the hatchet.
“I talked to him afterward,” Carr said. “We had a good talk, obviously I wish it was better for me, but we just expressed our love for one another and how thankful we were for the times that we had.”
Lions Want To Re-Sign Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin is winding down his walk year. But, if Lions head coach Dan Campbell has his druthers, he’ll be staying put in 2022. 
“There’s a number of guys, but I mean certainly one of the first ones that pops in my head is, Jalen Reeves-Maybin pops up,” Campbell said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I know he missed a couple of games here due to injury, but when he’s been out there on defense and on special teams, he just, he makes plays. He’s a football player. And that doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Reeves-Maybin, a 2017 fourth-round pick, has spent his entire career in Detroit. Last offseason, after losing Jarrad Davis to the Jets in free agency, the Lions brought him back on a one-year, $2.38MM deal. Since then, he’s responded with a pair of forced fumbles and 57 tackles, tied for fifth on the team. Not too shabby for a player who spent much of his previous years as a special teamer.
“He will have his chance to be our starting inside linebacker,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said earlier this week. “He’s had a great year. Still has a ways to go, but we’re excited about that player.”
Of course, there hasn’t been much excitement in Detroit outside of Reeves-Maybin, but the Lions will have plenty of draft ammo to work with this offseason. Now stationed at 2-12-1, they’ll wrap up the year with games against the Seahawks and Packers.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/31/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DB Rojesterman Farris, DL Carlo Kemp
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LS Kyle Nelson
- Released: DT Da’Shawn Hand
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL D.J. Fluker, S Bradley McDougald
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: C Cohl Cabral
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/21
The final minor moves roundup of 2021:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Rick Leonard
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB Damarea Crockett, WR Travis Fulgham, OLB Pita Taumoepenu, WR Seth Williams
Houston Texans
- Released: DT Xavier Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: P J.K. Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: QB Nate Sudfeld
Washington Football Team
- Signed: P Ryan Winslow
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/28/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: RB Tavien Feaster
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: C Jimmy Murray
- Released: QB Kenji Bahar, DB Blake Countess
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Miller Forristall, WR Lawrence Cager
- Released: KR Jojo Natson, CB Bryan Mills
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Scotty Washington
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Tristen Hoge, DE Deyon Sizer, DT Akeem Spence
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Juwan Green, TE Ross Travis
- Released: CB Chris Williamson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S D.J. Swearinger
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Kahale Warring, P Joseph Charlton, DE Hercules Mata’afa
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: OT Paul Adams, WR Dalton Schoen, P Johnny Townsend
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LS Beau Brinkley
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Javian Hawkins, WR Warren Jackson, LB Justin Lawler
- Released: K Ryan Santoso, DB Greg Stroman, LS Carson Tinker
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OT Rick Leonard
- Released: TE Brandon Dillon, WR Damion Ratley
New Orleans Saints
- Released: DT Braxton Hoyett, LB Justin March, OT Kyle Murphy, WR Malcolm Perry
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Jake Hausmann
- Released: DB Sam Beal, DB Darqueze Dennard
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Elijah Ponder
- Released: DL Chris Cooper
Jaguars Request Interviews With Todd Bowles, Byron Leftwich
The Jaguars have asked the Buccaneers for permission to interview offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for their head coaching vacancy (Twitter links via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). In addition to the Tampa duo, they’ve also requested an interview with Cowboys OC Kellen Moore and DC Dan Quinn (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com) and scheduled a meeting with ex-Eagles HC Doug Pederson for later this week (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero).
[RELATED: Jaguars GM Trent Baalke To Keep Job]
All five coaches have been connected to the Jaguars in recent weeks, with Pederson said to be especially interested in the job. Pederson, of course, had Carson Wentz playing at an MVP level through the first 14 weeks of the 2017 season, up until his fateful ACL tear. Then, with backup QB Nick Foles under center, he guided the Birds to their first ever Super Bowl ring. Pederson’s final Philadelphia season ended with a 4-11-1 mark, but he remains an attractive candidate nonetheless.
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, meanwhile, would happily advocate for either one of his coordinators to get the job. He’s been especially supportive of Leftwich, who did not receive an HC interview in the last cycle.
“The job he’s done…he coaches quarterbacks, he calls plays, he’s everything everybody says they are looking for,” Arians said in January (via Jon Ledyard of Pewter Report). “I was really hoping he’d get his first few interviews and maybe get a job out of it. I can’t speak for what the owners think and who they listen to sometimes, but it’s just a matter of time before he gets his.”
Colts Place Carson Wentz On COVID-19 List
The Colts have placed Carson Wentz on the COVID-19/Reserve list, per a club announcement. Since the quarterback is unvaccinated, this leaves him ineligible to play on Sunday against the Raiders. 
[RELATED: NFL, NFLPA Discuss COVID-19 Protocols]
The league’s current protocols require unvaccinated players to spend a minimum of ten days in isolation before rejoining the team. That rule could change in the coming days as the NFL and NFLPA discuss yet another revision to the protocols, though their revisions may only apply to vaccinated players.
For now, the Colts are expected to start Sam Ehlinger on Sunday as they look to firm up their playoff spot. At 9-7, the Colts have to beat the Raiders in order to keep their divisional hopes alive.
Ehlinger, a sixth-round rookie, has yet to attempt a pass this year. Wentz, meanwhile, has completed 63% of his throws for 3,230 yards with 25 touchdowns against six interceptions.