Head Coach Search Updates: Rivera, McCarthy, Panthers, Candidates
Former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera will not be unemployed for long. An earlier report noted that Washington had “strong interest” and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that sources close to Rivera expect an agreement to form quickly and could even come together in the next couple days. Aside from Washington, Rapoport notes that some teams that are considering firing their head coach (like the Giants) have Rivera circled as a top target if they do create an opening.
Rivera served as the head coach in Carolina from 2011-2019 and led the team to a 73-63-1 regular season record and a 3-4 postseason record. A linebacker in his playing days with the historic 1980s Bears defenses, Rivera has always been a defensive-minded coach. Prior to his time with the Panthers, he had served as a linebackers coach with the Eagles and Chargers and as the defensive coordinator for the Bears and Chargers.
Here’s some more notes from the NFL coaching carousel:
- As the Panthers look to replace Rivera, former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has emerged as a one of the leading candidates to take over in Carolina. According to Rapoport, McCarthy has already interviewed with the Panthers twice and did very well. Given the strong reputation of Rivera, a candidate like McCarthy, with a long resume (that includes a Super Bowl title) may be more desirable to franchise brass. With that said, Rapoport noted that Carolina plans to interview some younger coaches as well including Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Baylor head coach Matt Rhule, and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy among others.
- While some teams have already begun their head coaching searches, the hiring search process will heat up as soon as teams complete the regular season. For an in-depth primer on the wide variety of coaches that could be in line to become head coaches this season, take a look at Rapoport and Tom Pelissero’s detailed list of coaches to know, which includes short descriptions on the most prominent names. The list breaks candidates into categories from former NFL head coaches to first-timers and even examines some college coaches.
Bears Likely To Pick Up Trubisky's Option?
- Mitchell Trubisky‘s uneven play, especially when compared to draft classmates Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, has been the primary Bears talking point this season. But the third-year quarterback has fared better as of late, and Joel Corry of CBS Sports expects the team to pick up his fifth-year option by May (Twitter link). That 2021 option price is expected to come in at approximately $25MM. Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only.
- The Bears opted not to retain former safety starter Adrian Amos, adding Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a buy-low deal instead. Chicago likely will make a strong effort to keep Eddie Jackson, and Corry expects the third-year safety to command a top-market contract (Twitter link). The safety market reignited in 2019, and Kevin Byard‘s $14.1MM-per-year deal current represents the position’s top figure. A 2017 fifth-round pick who is now a two-time Pro Bowler, Jackson becomes extension-eligible at the end of the regular season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/18/19
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Alex Wesley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
- Signed: DB Herb Miller
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Joe Dineen, DE Dewayne Hendrix, RB Jeremy McNichols
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/18/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Andre Chachere, LB Keishawn Bierria
- Promoted: LB/DE Vontarrius Dora
- Placed on IR: CB Kevin Peterson, LB Tanner Vallejo
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: LB Danny Trevathan
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DL Jamie Meder
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
- Placed on IR: S Rolan Milligan
New York Giants
- Promoted: S Rashaan Gaulden
NFL Workout Updates: 12/17/19
Here are Tuesday’s notable workout updates:
Chicago Bears
- TE Darion Clark, G Joshua Garnett, WR Geno Lewis*, TE Alize Mack, RB William Stanback*
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
- DT Jamie Meder, LB Derrick Moncrief*, DE Mike Moore*, DT David Parry, DT Adolphus Washington
Green Bay Packers
- RB Alex Collins, WR Emanuel Hall, QB Tanner Lee
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Cameron Judge*, LB Nick Usher*
Washington Redskins
- CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB Chris Campbell, CB Dee Delaney, CB KeiVarae Russell
* = CFL player
Leonard Floyd's Fifth-Year Option In Doubt
The Bears have obviously been having a disappointing season. A year after being one of the toasts of the league and winning the NFC North, they’ve officially been eliminated from playoff contention following their loss to the Packers. With the postseason out of reach, all eyes will now turn toward the offseason. The elephant in the room is what Chicago will do with Mitchell Trubisky and the quarterback situation, but they have some other big decisions to make as well. Linebacker Leonard Floyd is set to make $13.2MM under the fifth-year option in 2020, but that’s entirely non-guaranteed money. They can cut him this offseason with no financial penalty, and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune seems to think that’s a real possibility.
In an interesting column Biggs explores Floyd’s situation, noting all the dynamics at play. Floyd is the second first-round pick that GM Ryan Pace made since taking over the front office, and the first was megabust Kevin White. As such, Pace could be motivated to keep Floyd on the team to try and validate the pick. Floyd certainly hasn’t been bad and he’s been a full-time starter for the Bears since entering the league, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s lived up to the billing of a ninth overall pick. As Biggs points out, the option would make him the tenth highest-paid outside linebacker in the NFL. Floyd had seven sacks as a rookie, but only 4.5 two years ago and four last year. In 14 games this season, he has three. His money becomes guaranteed on March 18th, so the Bears will have to make a decision by then.
Bears Activate DL Akiem Hicks
The Bears will bring back one of their top players for Week 15’s pivotal game against the Packers. Akiem Hicks is officially back on Chicago’s 53-man roster after spending eight weeks on IR.
Hicks has not played since the Bears’ Week 5 game, but the team did not place the Pro Bowl defensive end on IR until before its Week 7 contest. To make room on their 53-man roster, the Bears placed tight end Ben Braunecker on IR. Braunecker’s season will end because of a concussion.
Despite the Bears sitting at 4-6 in a high-caliber NFC playoff race in mid-November, Matt Nagy refused to shut down Hicks. The fourth-year Bear returned to practice less than two weeks ago and is set to return to his starting role — for a 7-6 Bears team — Sunday.
A former Saints third-round pick who’s emerged as one of the game’s top interior defensive linemen, Hicks was a key reason for the Bears’ defensive ascent last season. He registered at least seven sacks in each of the past three seasons, combining for 36 tackles for loss in that span as well. The 30-year-old lineman will obviously not run that streak to four but will stand to help the Bears in what is essentially a must-win game in Green Bay.
NFL Workout Updates: 12/11/19
Here are Wednesday’s workout updates:
Chicago Bears
- LB Devante Bond, S Kentrell Brice, S Derrick Kindred
Cincinnati Bengals
- CB Dee Delaney
Detroit Lions
- RB Tra Carson, WR Jonathan Duhart, WR Emanuel Hall, TE Matt Lengel
Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins
- CB DaShaun Amos, LB Willie Jefferson, DE Jonathan Kongbo, LB Derrick Moncrief, DE Mike Moore, CB Marcus Sayles, LB Nick Usher. (Each player played in the CFL this season)
Seattle Seahawks
- RB Nick Brossette, RB Matthew Dayes, RB Xavier Turner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Allen Robinson Interested In Bears Re-Up
One of two free agent wide receivers who signed big-ticket deals in 2018, Allen Robinson has delivered this season after a quieter Bears debut. The sixth-year wideout is closing in on the second 1,000-yard season of his career and is on the way to doubling his 2018 touchdown output.
Robinson’s three-year, $42MM contract expires after the 2020 season, but the former Jaguars target would like a Bears extension.
“Yeah, definitely,” Robinson said of his interest in a potential re-up, via Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. “There’s a lot that goes into it . . . but as far as how comfortable I am here and how much I like it here, I definitely would foresee spending many more years here.”
Since Robinson and Sammy Watkins ($16MM AAV) signed their deals in March 2018, the wide receiver market has climbed north of $20MM per year. Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks, Adam Thielen, Jarvis Landry and Stefon Diggs subsequently signed more lucrative deals than Robinson’s. While the Bears wideout does not have a strong case at a deal in the Jones or Thomas ballpark, the Bears’ passing attack centers around its No. 1 wide receiver. That would make a raise a certainty, with Robinson yet to turn 27.
“I would love to be the Bears’ all-time leading receiver,” Robinson said. “With the longevity of the organization and players who have come before here, goals like that are big. … I’ve really enjoyed my two years. We’ve won a lot of games. From an organization standpoint, it’s a top-flight organization and coaching staff.”
Chicago is projected to hold barely $12MM in 2020 cap space and counts Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Danny Trevathan among its free agents-to-be. Robinson, who has accumulated 898 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 76 catches, is due a $10.9MM base salary next season.
2020 NFL Draft Order As Of Week 15
With 14 full weeks of the NFL season in the books, the 2020 draft order is beginning to take shape. Here’s the rundown of where things would stand if the 2019 season ended today:
1. Bengals: 1-12
2. Giants: 2-11
3. Redskins: 3-10
4. Dolphins: 3-10
5. Lions: 3-9-1
6. Cardinals: 3-9-1
7. Jaguars: 4-9
8. Falcons: 4-9
9. Jets: 5-8
10. Chargers: 5-8
11. Broncos 5-8
12. Panthers 5-8
13. Eagles 6-7
14. Raiders 6-7
15. Colts 6-7
16. Buccaneers 6-7
17. Browns 6-7
18. Raiders (via Bears) 6-7
19. Titans 8-5
20. Jaguars (via Rams) 8-5
21. Cowboys 6-7
22. Dolphins (via Steelers) 8-5
23. Dolphins (via Texans) 8-5
24. Vikings 9-4
25. Bills 9-4
26. Chiefs 9-4
27. Packers 10-3
28. Seahawks 10-3
29. Patriots 10-3
30. Saints 10-3
31. Ravens 11-2
32. 49ers 11-2