Browns Interview Saints’ Klint Kubiak For OC
The Browns are interviewing Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the same position on Monday, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Kubiak has a history with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. The two overlapped on the Vikings’ offensive coaching staff in 2013 and 2014. Kubiak was an offensive quality control coach, while Stefanski was the assistant quarterbacks coach one season and tight ends coach the next.
Stefanski has hired a former Vikings colleague before. His first defensive coordinator in Cleveland was Joe Woods, who arrived in Minnesota as the defensive backs coach in 2006, the same year Stefanski was hired as an assistant to then-head coach Brad Childress.
Kubiak is also scheduled to meet with the Seahawks for their OC job on Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He is still under contract with the Saints, but the team granted both interview requests amid their own search for a new head coach. Their list of candidates includes five current offensive coordinators. If one of them gets the job, Kubiak could lose his play-calling duties or be replaced altogether.
The Saints were one of the hottest offenses in the league to start the season with 91 points in their first two games. Injuries to key players hinder the rest of their season; Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, Rashid Shaheed, Erik McCoy, and Taysom Hill all missed significant time.
Kubiak would face a tough task ahead of him in Cleveland. The Browns offense finished with the fewest points, second-fewest yards per play, and most turnovers in the NFL in 2024 as they cycled through four different quarterbacks and struggled to stay healthy along the offensive line.
Kubiak’s first order of business would be working with Stefanski and Browns general manager Andrew Berry to decide on the team’s next starting quarterback. Deshaun Watson may miss the entire 2025 season after re-tearing his Achilles, Jameis Winston is set to hit free agency this spring, and neither Dorian Thompson-Robinson nor Bailey Zappe have showed they can be a long-term starter in the NFL.
Winston has expressed a desire to return to Cleveland, and the Browns also have the second overall pick in the draft. They could pair the familiar veteran with a top rookie prospect to start rebuilding after the disastrous trade for Watson in 2022.
2025 NFL Cap Carryover, By Team
With the regular season in the books, all NFL teams have declared their cap carryover for the 2025 league year. Unused cap space from the current campaign will roll over, a substantial element of many teams’ financial planning.
Last offseason saw a record-breaking jump in the salary cap ceiling (pushing the upper limit to $255.4MM). To no surprise, another spike is expected but a smaller year-to-year increase is likely to take place. It was learned last month that teams are preparing for the 2025 cap to check in at a figure between $265MM-$275MM.
As teams evaluate key roster-building decisions – including restructures and cuts aimed at manufacturing cap space – carryovers are crucial. It it still not known what exactly the cap ceiling will wind up as, but in the meantime every club’s space which has been rolled over will add a degree of clarity with respect to how their offseason will take shape. Several teams (including the top two on this year’s list) have made a concerted effort in recent years to carry unused space through the course of a campaign knowing a spike in cap charges for core players are forthcoming.
Courtesy of Over the Cap, here is the full breakdown of each team’s 2025 cap carryover amount:
- San Francisco 49ers: $50.01MM
- Cleveland Browns: $41.95MM
- New England Patriots: $34.86MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $33.57MM
- Detroit Lions: $23.73MM
- Washington Commanders: $19.83MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $18.84MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $15.89MM
- Green Bay Packers: $15.11MM
- Tennessee Titans: $14.72MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $11.38MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $10.1MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $8.42MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $6.83MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $6.81MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $6.63MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $6.07MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $5.94MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $5.94MM
- Chicago Bears: $5.08MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $4.89MM
- Houston Texans: $4.81MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.15MM
- Miami Dolphins: $3MM
- New Orleans Saints: $2.93MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $2.75MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $2.14MM
- Denver Broncos: $1.91MM
- Buffalo Bills: $1.34MM
- New York Giants: $1.17MM
- Carolina Panthers: $490K
- New York Jets: $346K
Coaching Rumors: Brady, Browns, Bears
Head coach and general manager interviews are underway, and the Raiders are looking to hire both. Already looking to hire a new head coach after firing Antonio Pierce, the Raiders made the move to fire general manager Tom Telesco, as well, at the alleged behest of part-owner Tom Brady. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, that may not be the only influence Brady has brought to the equation.
Initially, reports were that Brady preferred to start clean with a general manager who would work in tandem with a new head coach, resulting in the termination of Telesco. Now, Brady’s effect on the team continues as his influence seems to be bringing in candidates that they otherwise wouldn’t typically land
Russini notes that coaches like Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has notoriously been picky over his potential jobs, are showing interest in Las Vegas perhaps because of Brady’s influence. We’ll see if that influence continues into the search for a new general manager, as well. The presence of the future Hall of Famer seems to be making Las Vegas a premier destination.
Here are a few other coaching updates around the NFL:
- The Browns will see assistant wide receivers coach Callie Brownson depart this offseason, per Browns staff writer Kelsey Russo. Brownson will not be remaining in the NFL as she plans to take a job as the senior director of high performance & national team operations for Team USA Football. She’ll be responsible for multiple administrative aspects of both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams for the United States when flag football makes its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
- The Bears are losing an assistant, as well, this one in the front office. Salary cap analyst and pro scout J.J. Cosh will leave Chicago to accept a position as executive associate administrative director over player management at Georgia Tech. Cosh has been with the Bears for six years, joining the team in 2018 as a scouting analyst. He’ll return to the college ranks after coming to the NFL following an introduction to football at Notre Dame.
- Like Brownson and Cosh, Seahawks defensive assistant Nick Perry will be departing for the college coaching ranks, as well. A former undrafted safety out of Alabama, Perry eventually returned to Tuscaloosa as a graduate student and defensive analyst. In 2021, Perry was hired as assistant defensive backs coach for the Falcons, holding the position for two years before switching sides and serving as assistant wide receivers coach. This past season, he made the move to Seattle, working as a defensive assistant under first year head coach Mike Macdonald. Now, Matt Zentiz of 247Sports reports that Perry has earned his first full position coaching gig as defensive backs coach at Arkansas.
Browns’ Deshaun Watson Suffers Second Achilles Tear
Deshaun Watson‘s recent setback in his Achilles rehab has proven to be a situation which will seriously threaten his availability for 2025. The Browns quarterback tore his Achilles a second time, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The team has since confirmed the news. 
Such a scenario was raised as a possibility earlier this week, with a second surgery of course being required in that event. As Rapoport notes, Watson underwent surgery yesterday to repair the most recent tear. His recovery timeline will now be pushed back as a result of the second operation; returning to full health in time for the start of the 2025 campaign was already a stretch, but now Watson is in danger of missing next season altogether.
“Earlier this week, when Watson reported to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for his exit physical as part of the Browns’ season-ending process, he complained of discomfort after rolling his ankle in Miami,” a team statement reads in part. “MRI results demonstrated a re-rupture to his Achilles tendon. Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, NC, performed both surgeries.”
When on the field, Watson’s level of play has fallen well short of expectations. The former Texans Pro Bowler is still in Cleveland’s plans with two more years and $92MM guaranteed remaining on his pact (one which was once again restructured last month). The team has made it clear, though, that adding competition at the QB spot will be a priority for the offseason. Especially with Watson now set to miss considerable time next year, Cleveland will likely proceed with increased urgency in finding a new passer.
The Browns are currently scheduled to select second overall in April’s draft, and bringing in a rookie QB has already been floated as a distinct possibility. Two signal-callers – Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders – are considered the top options in this year’s class, one which is not viewed as favorably as past drafts. With veteran Jameis Winston a pending free agent, the Browns may be in the market for more than one quarterback addition over the coming months. In any case, Watson’s bid to return to his Houston form will be significantly delayed.
Colts Interview Browns’ Ephraim Banda For DC
The meteoric rise continues for Ephraim Banda. The Browns safeties coach has only been in the NFL for two years, and he already has earned his first defensive coordinator interview. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Banda will meet with the Colts about their open defensive coordinator position. 
Banda’s story is an inspiring one of perseverance and never giving up on your dreams. A high school athlete that turned down a few small school scholarship offers to do junior college and walk on somewhere bigger, Banda found himself working as a bartender while taking classes in San Antonio and staying in football shape by playing in amateur leagues. In 2007, Banda finally got his chance when Incarnate Word created a football program. He walked on at 25 years old, but since he wasn’t on scholarship, he had to continue bartending.
Unfortunately, a knee injury ended any hopes of a playing career for Banda. Still, he refused to give up on his football dream, working as a student assistant for the Cardinals in San Antonio while finishing his degree. He earned a graduate assistant position at the University of Texas on the recommendation of an Incarnate Word coach who had been hired by the Longhorns. In Austin, he met then-defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, another upstart coach who came to football after jobs outside of the sport.
He stayed at Texas for three years, even after Diaz was fired, coaching with the program through the transition from Mack Brown to Charlie Strong. Diaz bounced back in 2015 getting hired as the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, and Banda joined him in Starkville as a defensive quality control coach. When Diaz was poached by Mark Richt to serve as defensive coordinator in Coral Gables, Banda got his first position coaching job as Miami’s safeties coach.
After three years and sending players like Rayshawn Jenkins, Jaquan Johnson, and Sheldrick Redwine to the NFL, Banda was promoted to co-defensive coordinator of the Hurricanes as Diaz took over the head coaching gig. In 2021, Banda finally parted ways with Diaz, taking the defensive coordinator and safeties coach job at Utah State. He held the role for two years before earning his first NFL job under Jim Schwartz in Cleveland.
In Banda’s two years in Cleveland, the Browns finished first in passing defense in 2023 and 12th this season. He’s managed an impressive safeties group over that time with Grant Delpit leading the group while Ronnie Hickman and Rodney McLeod have filled in for injuries here and there to the other starter, Juan Thornhill.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has been quoted as valuing a more aggressive approach on defense, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder, something that is likely to affect the team’s coordinator search. According to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports, the team has also announced that defensive backs coach Ron Milus and linebackers coach Richard Smith will not be returning to the staff in 2025.
With this note, while Banda will be interviewing for the coordinator position, this visit could also serve as an interview for the open defensive backs coaching job, should he fall short. Regardless, the 43-year-old is moving quickly through the coaching ranks of the sport and is a name to watch in the years to come.
Browns To Conduct OC Interview With Kevin Koger
The list of candidates for the Browns’ vacant offensive coordinator position has grown. Falcons tight ends coach Kevin Koger will interview with Cleveland today, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. 
Koger joined the Falcons’ staff last offseason following a three-year run in the same capacity with the Chargers. During his first year in Atlanta, he took charge of a positional group led by Kyle Pitts, who did not enjoy the return to his rookie form many were hoping for under first-time offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Still, Koger has drawn the interest of at least one team looking for a new OC, something he is no stranger to.
Koger met with both the Broncos and Packers during the 2022 hiring cycle while they were looking for new offensive coordinators. The 35-year-old began coaching in 2012, and he worked in the college ranks between 2013 and ’18. The following season, he took an opportunity in Green Bay to work as an offensive quality control coach before his Chargers stint. It will be interesting to see if Koger lands on the radar of the Seahawks (who fired Ryan Grubb after one season) or any other teams which win up being in the market for a new OC this offseason.
Cleveland dismissed Ken Dorsey in the aftermath of a 4-13 season. Quarterback play was generally a major weak point with and without Deshaun Watson in the lineup in 2024, and the matter of whether or not head coach Kevin Stefanski calls plays moving forward will be a key talking point as OC interviews take place. Koger has never worked as an offensive coordinator at the college or NFL levels.
The Browns have their own TEs coach (Tommy Rees) in line as a candidate to take over from Dorsey. In terms of outside possibilities, Dolphins pass game coordinator Darrell Bevell as well as Seahawks quarterbacks coach Charles London are on the team’s radar. Easterling notes London will also interview with the Browns today, as the team continues to seek out a long-term answer at the OC spot.
Seahawks Request OC Interview With Saints’ Klint Kubiak
The Seahawks quickly kicked off their search for a new offensive coordinator, as the team has already set up interviews with Thomas Brown and Hank Fraley. We’ve got another candidate for the job, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Seahawks have requested permission to interview Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the same role.
Kubiak joined New Orleans’ staff last offseason and had to endure a season where the Saints turned to three different starting QBs. Derek Carr went 5-5 as a starter and tossed 15 touchdowns vs. five interceptions, but the team was otherwise winless with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener under center. Further, Alvin Kamara was the only player to top 600 yards from scrimmage (the RB finished with 1,493). Still, the Saints offense was more middle-of-the-road than bottom-of-the-pack, solidifying Kubiak’s place as one of the more intriguing offensive minds in the game. Fowler notes that beyond Seattle, Kubiak could be an option for the Browns offensive coordinator vacancy.
The son of Gary Kubiak, Klint got his NFL coaching start working under his father in Denver. When Gary was named assistant head coach in Minnesota, Klint caught on as the team’s QBs coach, and he succeeded his dad as offensive coordinator in 2021. The Vikings cleared house following Mike Zimmer‘s firing, and Klint landed back in Denver, where he spent a year as the passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Following that one-year stop, he worked as Kyle Shanahan‘s passing game coordinator in San Francisco.
While this would represent a lateral move for Kubiak, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald believes the Seattle gig is plenty enticing. Macdonald recently touted the opening, highlighting the team’s list of young offensive players. While the organization doesn’t currently have a long-term plan at QB, they’re positioned to bring back a steady veteran in Geno Smith.
The Seahawks made Ryan Grubb a one-and-done OC, with the team’s drop in rushing efficiency reportedly playing a role in his demise. After poaching Grubb from Alabama’s staff, it’s been thought that Macdonald may pivot to a more experienced option to help guide the offense in 2025.
Darrell Bevell, Tommy Rees To Interview For Browns’ OC Job
Firing their offensive coordinator in back-to-back years, the Browns no longer seem committed to finding someone that will coax a Deshaun Watson bounce-back effort. The embattled quarterback has seen a setback in his Achilles rehab, and Browns brass had already stopped short of confirming the high-priced passer would start again.
With the prospect of a first-round quarterback firmly in play, the Browns are moving on their OC search. They have tight ends coach Tommy Rees in line to interview for Ken Dorsey‘s old job, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports. Rees is expected to draw interest elsewhere, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, so the Browns will need to weigh outside interest with Rees’ qualifications to move up internally.
Two assistants bringing more experience will join Rees in interviewing for the position. Veteran Darrell Bevell will meet about the job, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. The former Seahawks OC is currently the Dolphins’ pass-game coordinator. Current Seahawks QBs coach Charles London will also meet with the Browns, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Bevell will interview today, Cabot adds.
Rees also came up previously as someone who could follow Mike Vrabel, but Josh McDaniels — who has an extensive history with the HC candidate dating back to his linebacker days — is also in play there. Rees has more experience at the college level, having been the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame and Alabama. Rees, 32, landed the Fighting Irish gig at just 27. He would be the youngest active NFL OC if promoted. The ex-Nick Saban assistant joined the Browns’ staff last year.
Bevell, 55, has been in the NFL since 2000 and has held OC gigs with four teams (Vikings, Seahawks, Lions, Jaguars). At the controls when the Seahawks emerged as the NFL’s top team early in Russell Wilson‘s career, Bevell spent seven seasons as the play-caller under Pete Carroll. He later served as interim HC for both the Lions and Jaguars. Bevell has been at the helm under Mike McDaniel since 2022. With Tua Tagovailoa taking a substantial leap in that span, Bevell is again drawing interest.
London, 49, has also been a regular on the OC interview circuit in recent years. He met about the Titans and Commanders’ jobs in 2023, but no interviews took place last year. The Rams and Dolphins met with London in 2022. London has coached QBs with the Falcons, Titans and Seahawks since 2021.
Additionally, the Browns hired a new offensive line coach. Mike Bloomgren will come from the college ranks to take over for Andy Dickerson, whom the team fired along with Dorsey. Bloomgren, who spent the past seven seasons as Rice’s head coach, has been in the college game since 2011. He worked under David Shaw at Stanford for seven years. In the four years prior to that, however, Bloomgren was a Jets assistant. He did not rise beyond the quality control level at that point.
2025 NFL General Manager Search Tracker
The Titans and Raiders again became part of a GM carousel in the 2020s. Tennessee canned its front office boss after two seasons, while Las Vegas moved on after one. These two joined the Jets, and after two-plus offseason weeks, the Jaguars followed suit by firing Trent Baalke. With the Titans, Raiders and Jets landing on GMs, the Jags are the only team left searching. Here is how the GM market looks:
Updated 2-21-25 (4:00pm CT)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Chad Alexander, assistant general manager (Chargers): Interviewed 2/13
- Brandon Brown, assistant general manager (Giants): Interviewed 2/13; strong contender?
- Trey Brown, senior personnel executive (Bengals): Interviewed 2/12
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): Conducted second interview 2/19
- James Gladstone, scouting director (Rams): Hired
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Interviewed 2/12
- Mike Greenberg, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Declined interview
- Champ Kelly, assistant general manager (Raiders): Interviewed 2/14
- Jon Robinson, former general manager (Titans): One of top candidates?; Interviewed 2/13
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, vice president of player personnel (Packers): Conducted second interview 2/20
- Ethan Waugh, interim general manager (Jaguars): Strong candidate?; Interviewed 2/20
- Josh Williams, director of scouting and football operations (49ers): Conducted second interview 2/19
Las Vegas Raiders
- Chad Alexander, assistant general manager (Chargers): Interviewed; to conduct second interview 1/20
- Brandon Brown, assistant general manager (Giants): Interviewed; to conduct second interview 1/20
- Lance Newmark, assistant general manager (Commanders): Potential frontrunner?; interviewed 1/19
- John Spytek, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): To interview; hired
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Interview requested
- Sheldon White, director of pro scouting (Steelers): Interview requested
New York Jets
- Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8; hired by Titans
- Trey Brown, senior personnel executive (Bengals): Conducted second interview 1/23
- Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): Interviewed 12/16
- Ray Farmer, senior personnel executive (Rams): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Gaine, assistant general manager (Bills): Interviewed 1/14
- Mike Greenberg, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/10
- Ryan Grigson, senior vice president of player personnel (Vikings): Interviewed 1/11
- Alec Halaby, assistant general manager (Eagles): Interviewed 1/8
- Darren Mougey, assistant general manager (Broncos): Hired
- Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl director: Interviewed 12/19
- Lance Newmark, assistant general manager (Commanders): Conducted second interview 1/21; hire expected; still a candidate
- Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed 1/2
- Jon Robinson, former general manager (Titans): Interviewed 12/17
- Phil Savage, interim general manager (Jets): Interviewed
- Chris Spielman, special assistant to president/CEO (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
Tennessee Titans
- Matt Berry, senior director of player personnel (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/11
- Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Hired
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): Conducted second interview 1/15
- Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): Interviewed 1/10
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Conducted second interview 1/14
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Conducted second interview 1/14
- Catherine Hickman, assistant general manager (Browns): Interviewed 1/11
- Reggie McKenzie, senior personnel executive (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/10
- John Spytek, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Conducted second interview 1/16
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Conducted second interview 1/16
Titans Request GM Interviews With Mike Borgonzi, Terrance Gray, Catherine Hickman
Searching for a new GM for a second time in three years, the Titans are moving forward after firing Ran Carthon. They have sent out three GM interview requests, with familiar names — albeit one with a slight adjustment — surfacing early.
Tennessee sent out interview slips to Kansas City assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Cleveland AGM Catherine Hickman, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Hickman was formerly Catherine Raiche; she has been with the Browns since the 2022 offseason. The team also sent a request to meet with Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.
Hickman remains one of the frontrunners to become the NFL’s first modern-era woman GM. She has been part of the GM carousel in the past, having interviewed for the Vikings’ top front office job in 2022. Hickman came over from the Eagles in 2022, being one of four Philly execs to earn an assistant GM job elsewhere that offseason. Hickman arrived in Cleveland months after the team’s Deshaun Watson trade/extension, which may well be important given where that arrangement has headed.
The other team in need at GM, the Jets, is interviewing Borgonzi today. Because the Chiefs earned a first-round bye, their GM and HC candidates — thus far Borgonzi and Matt Nagy, respectively — can meet with clubs virtually this week. Borgonzi has been with the Chiefs since 2009, predating Andy Reid‘s tenure. The Scott Pioli-era hire has climbed the ladder during the Reid-Brett Veach years, however, becoming the AFC superpower’s assistant GM in 2021. Borgonzi has a strong relationship with Titans president of football ops Chad Brinker, SI.com’s Albert Breer adds, so this will be something to follow closely in the days to come.
Gray joins Brian Gaine as Bills execs to receive an interview slip during this year’s cycle; the Jets requested a Gaine audience. Gray has been part of past GM cycles, most recently interviewing for the Chargers and Raiders’ jobs. He declined a Patriots interview, joining multiple others, as most correctly predicted Eliot Wolf would remain in charge post-Bill Belichick. Gray will have another opportunity now.