Giants To Interview Jim Schwartz
The Giants plan to interview Jim Schwartz for their head coaching vacancy within the next week, according to ESPN’S Adam Schefter. Schefter’s sources indicate that Schwartz will be a favorite — if not the favorite — for the position.
Schwartz, who is currently in his second season as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, previously served as the Lions’ head coach from 2009-13. His tenure in Detroit was largely disappointing, as he compiled a 29-51 regular season mark in the Motor City and took his team to the playoffs just once in five years, losing his only postseason game.
Nonetheless, he has long been regarded as one of the league’s best defensive minds, having worked as the Titans’ defensive coordinator from 2001-08, and he was immediately tabbed as the Bills’ defensive coordinator following his ouster from Detroit. He has helped turn the Eagles into one of the league’s powerhouses, and in so doing, he has restored his viability as a head coach.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, echoing previous reports, indicates that new Giants GM Dave Gettleman is partial to current Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, whom Gettleman knows well from his time in Carolina. Nonetheless, Giants ownership prefers a candidate with previous head coaching experience, which could give Schwartz a leg up. La Canfora also names Steelers’ offensive line coach (and former Titans head coach) Mike Munchak as a dark-horse candidate for Big Blue’s head coaching gig.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, in addition to providing a list of candidates the Giants planned to interview for their GM position had they not hired Gettleman, also confirms that New York will be focusing on veteran head coaching candidates (Twitter link).
Should Schwartz leave Philadelphia, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com tweets that Eagles DB coach Cory Undlin would be a logical in-house candidate to replace him.
Panthers WR Damiere Byrd Placed On IR
The Panthers have clinched a playoff spot after their comeback victory over the Buccaneers in Week 16. However, the team’s receiving corps has taken another hit as Damiere Byrd has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower leg injury, according to Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com (Twitter link). The team will likely activate defensive end Charles Johnson from suspension in a corresponding move, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link).
Byrd, 24, was just starting to cement himself as the Panthers clear number two wide receiver before suffering the injury. In his second season in the NFL, Byrd had caught nine passes in Weeks 14 and 15, including two touchdowns. He had also solidified himself as the team’s primary kickoff return threat, having already returned one kick for a touchdown this season.
Without Byrd, head coach Ron Rivera will likely have to use running back Christian McCaffrey even more in the return game. On the offensive side of the ball, Rivera told Strickland that “it’s tough, but Kaelin Clay has stepped up.” The team also has wideouts Brenton Bersin and Mose Frazier to pick up more snaps in Byrd’s absence. In addition, the team will also get Russell Shepard from a shoulder injury next week.
Person further tweets that the Panthers will not be signing a free agent wideout to replace Byrd, instead opting to go with what the team has now going into the postseason.
The news certainly puts more pressure on the likes of Devin Funchess and Greg Olsen, who will likely see most of the targets when Cam Newton opts to throw the ball down the field. The Panthers have a chance to take the NFC South with a win and a Saints loss in Week 17.
La Canfora’s Latest: Jets, Panthers, Steelers
While Josh McCown hasn’t yet announced whether he’ll continue his career in 2018, those close to him believe the veteran quarterback will return for another season, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. McCown, who is currently on injured reserve after breaking his hand, posted arguably the best campaign of his career while starting 13 games for the Jets this year. Given that he’ll be entering his age-39 season, McCown won’t command a long-term contract, and could theoretically make sense as a bridge quarterback for a number of clubs. When he does hang up his cleats, McCown is expected to generate interest as a coach.
Here’s more from La Canfora as Week 16 comes to a close:
- Speaking of the Jets, it would qualify as “shocking” if Gang Green doesn’t release defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson prior to next season, per La Canfora. Wilkerson has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks, and he isn’t expected to play for New York again this season despite being fully healthy. Missed meetings and other off-field offenses have led the Jets’ coaching staff to become “fed up” with Wilkerson, and there’s almost no chance the club will opt to pay him $17MM in 2018. Still, Wilkerson is expected to generate interest if he hits the free agent market next spring.
- Although reports of a $2.5 billion price for the Panthers may have been exaggerated, sources still expect the Carolina franchise to garner at least $2 billion, as La Canfora writes. Although the NFL will require full cooperation as the league investigates claims of harassment against owner Jerry Richardson, the league won’t be able to tell Richardson to whom he can sell his team. Because Richardson isn’t keeping the club in his family, he has the right to sell to whomever he chooses.
- The relationship between Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley has become strained, per La Canfora, who adds Roethlisberger has asked for a “buffer” between him and Haley during games. As such, quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner has begun coaching from the sidelines (instead of the press box) in order to act as that go-between. While reports of complications between Roethlisberger and Haley may have no affect, the relationship could potentially affect offseason staff plans for Pittsburgh.
- The Patriots, Eagles, and Vikings are all expected to lose members of their staff this offseason as coaches leave for promotions with other clubs, according to La Canfora. New England, Philadelphia, and Minnesota are three of the most successful teams in the league in 2017, and coordinators such as Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Jim Schwartz, Frank Reich, John DeFilippo, Pat Shurmur, and George Edwards could all be on the move.
Panthers Want To Extend Ron Rivera
There’s plenty of uncertainty when it comes to the Panthers organization, as owner Jerry Richardson is shopping the team and they’re currently rolling with an interim general manager in Marty Hurney. However, the team is looking to establish some stability by locking up head coach Ron Rivera.
Panthers Promote WR Mose Frazier
The Panthers are promoting wide receiver Mose Frazier from the practice squad to the active roster. Frazier will take the roster spot of Thomas Davis, who is serving a one-game suspension. 
[RELATED: NFL Wants Panthers To Stay In Charlotte]
It’s possible that Frazier could not only dress, but he may also see some playing time. Fellow wide receiver Russell Shepard is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, leaving a void near the top of the team’s WR group. If Shepard cannot go, Brenton Bersin, Kaelin Clay, and Damiere Byrd will all move up a spot to support Devin Funchess, leaving Frazier as the WR5.
Frazier, 24, first entered the league as a UDFA with the Broncos in 2016. Since then, he has bounced around a bit, but he has been exclusively with the Panthers since January.
For his collegiate career at Memphis, Frazier totaled 135 catches for 1,599 yards and eight touchdowns in 38 games.
Latest On Panthers Sale, Jerry Richardson
The Panthers will soon be under new ownership, as incumbent owner Jerry Richardson announced plans to sell the team following the season after revelations surfaced regarding workplace misconduct. Richardson, who allegedly used inappropriate sexual comments and a racial slur, has already ceded day-to-day control of the club to new chief operating officer Tina Becker.
Let’s take a look at the latest on the sale of the Carolina franchise:
- The NFL wants the Panthers to remain in Carolina despite the impending change in ownership, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. “The franchise in Carolina is successful both on the field and from a business perspective as far as community impact,” said NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart. “So we think that it’s very important that franchises, particularly ones that have achieved the success of the Panthers, stay in the market where they’re playing.”
- The league did not pressure Richardson to put the Panthers up for sale, tweets Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal. While that may be the case, it’s difficult to see how any other outcome could have occurred provided the allegations are founded. Given the current climate regarding sexual harassment, Richardson would have likely been forced to give up the Panthers if an investigation proved his accusers are telling the truth.
- Despite the circumstances surrounding the Panthers sale, the NFL’s rules regarding team sales will all remain in effect, per John Kryk of the Toronto Sun (Twitter link). The new controlling owner must have individually own at least 30% of equity and must be approved by three-quarters of the league’s owners. Thus far, Sean “Diddy” Combs and former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo have been mentioned as possible buyers.
- Lockhart also commented on a slew of other issues regarding the Carolina situation, including the fact that the league was not previously aware of several settlements reached between Richardson and his accusers, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes. Additionally, Lockhart says the NFL expects “full cooperation” from the Panthers during the sale process, and noted “failure to cooperate has its own set of consequences and potential discipline.”
NFL Recommends Coaching Candidates
Each year, the NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel releases a list of candidates for head coaching jobs. According to Mike Lombardi of The Ringer (Twitter link), that list includes: 
- Dan Campbell (Assistant Head Coach/TE coach, Saints)
- Jim Bob Cooter (Offensive Coordinator, Lions)
- John DeFilippo (Quarterbacks Coach, Eagles)
- George Edwards (Defensive Coordinator, Vikings)
- Josh McDaniels (Offensive Coordinator, Patriots)
- Matt Nagy (Offensive Coordinator, Chiefs)
- Matt Patricia (Defensive Coordinator, Patriots)
- Jim Schwartz (Defensive Coordinator, Eagles)
- Pat Shurmur (Offensive Coordinator, Vikings)
- Dave Toub (Special Teams Coach, Chiefs)
- Steve Wilks (Defensive Coordinator, Panthers)
- Mike Vrabel (Defensive Coordinator, Texans)
McDaniels, of course, comes with previous head coaching experience. He was probably too young to handle those responsibilities in Denver, but he has reasserted himself as an offensive wunderkind. Both McDaniels and Patricia will be hot candidates for head coaching jobs this year, so the Patriots may have to make serious changes on the coaching staff.
There is some overlap with the list of minority candidates recommended by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, though Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Titans offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie did not make the cut on this list. Austin received head coaching interviews in each of the last two offseasons, so he seems likely to garner some consideration this time around.
NFL Reduces LB Thomas Davis’ Suspension
The NFL has officially reduced Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis‘ suspension from two games to one, the league announced today.
Davis was originally banned two games after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams on Sunday. The NFL has seemingly developed a pattern for these type of offenses: an original two-game suspension, followed by a reduction to one game. It’s the same formula the league used for Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, who coincidentally was also suspended following a hit on Adams.
Now that his ban has been lessened, Davis will miss the Panthers’ next game against the Buccaneers but will now be available for Carolina’s regular season finale against the Falcons. The Panthers, for what it’s worth, are nearly a lock to earn a postseason berth, but have just a 17% chance at winning the NFC South, per FiveThirtyEight.
Diddy Is Serious About Buying Panthers
When word broke of the Panthers going up for sale, Sean “Diddy” Combs rushed to put his name in the conversation. Those close to the rapper turned business mogul say that this is not a publicity stunt. He’s also intent on looping quarterback Colin Kaepernick into the ownership group. 
“The interest is real and it’s moving forward,” a source said of Combs and Kaepernick working together (via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports). “They want to make this a reality. It’s serious.”
Some very real questions remain about whether Combs has enough financial capital to make a play for the Panthers. As Robinson notes, the most recent Forbes evaluation put the value of the franchise at $2.3 billion. Typically, teams in the major three North American sports will sell for even more than their evaluations, so a 100% sale of the Panthers could be in the range of $2.5 billion. Buying Jerry Richardson‘s 48% stake in the team could cost about $1.2 billion, which is more than Diddy’s projected net worth of $820MM.
Kaepernick, of course, does not have the kind of cash needed to own a large chunk of an NFL team, but he could theoretically be a minority owner in the group and gain additional equity by reeling in bigger fish. A source close to the QB tells Robinson that he has already begun reaching out to “business leaders, venture capitalists, and sports icons” who could bring the big bucks. Overall, Combs and Kaepernick envision a group that is about 70% black to more closely reflect the makeup of the league’s players.
If Diddy is intent on positioning himself as the largest shareholder of the group, he could face some pushback from NFL owners. Typically, the league prefers owners who can make the purchase with mostly cash. They also prefer an ownership group is not overly fractured.
For what it’s worth, Diddy may have the support of Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
“I’m a big fan of Diddy,” Kraft told TMZ this week. “You ask him. I’m a big fan of his. … He’s a good businessman. He’s a very good businessman and I have a lot of respect for Diddy.”
Eddie DeBartolo Exploring Possibility Of Buying Panthers?
Eddie DeBartolo Jr. may be interested in getting back in the ownership game. The former longtime 49ers owner is “definitely” considering putting together a group to buy the Panthers, Jim Trotter of ESPN.com tweets.
The Hall of Fame contributor issued a statement about this interest on Monday night as well.
“I am going to respect Jerry Richardson‘s wish not to discuss the sale of the Carolina Panthers until after their season is over,” DeBartolo said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, on Twitter).
ESPN analyst and former DeBartolo charge Steve Young said Monday night DeBartolo, who owned the 49ers from 1977-2000 before handing the franchise reins over to sister Denise York, spoke of his former boss’ potential interest in the Panthers’ sudden availability as well (Twitter link via ESPN’s Chris Mortensen).
DeBartolo oversaw the 49ers’ rise to arguably the NFL’s premier dynasty during his time running the team. The 49ers won five Super Bowls from 1981-94.
Richardson ceded control of the franchise earlier on Monday, a day after announcing he would sell the team. Trotter notes there will be competition for the franchise. Diddy expressed interest in the Panthers since their sale became public knowledge, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes Bruton Smith — chairman of Speedway Motorsport — previously expressed interest in this specific franchise if it were to become available.