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Saints, Browns To Interview Texans’ Jerrod Johnson For OC Position

January 21st, 2024 at 5:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:44pm: It appears the Saints‘ request will be honored as Johnson is reportedly expected to interview with the Saints sometime early this week, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Additionally, the Browns have added Johnson to their list of offensive coordinator candidates, as well. Cleveland fired their offensive coordinator of four years, Alex Van Pelt, this week following a one-sided loss to the Texans in the Wild Card round. Van Pelt was a non-play-calling coordinator on head coach Kevin Stefanski‘s staff. His dismissal and Stefanski’s desire to interview one of the top up-and-coming names in the coaching world may point to a willingness from Stefanski to give up play-calling duties. Regardless, Johnson will interview with the Browns early this week, as well.

9:56am: Jerrod Johnson is back on the OC interview circuit. Landing on the coordinator radar last year, Johnson ended up in Houston as the Texans’ quarterbacks coach. After C.J. Stroud‘s rookie season, teams should be expected to give Johnson more attention as OC jobs become available.

One will be the Saints. New Orleans will be the first team to request an OC interview with Johnson this year, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones noting the young assistant has received a slip from the NFC South team. Johnson joins Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson and Bengals QBs coach Dan Pitcher on the Saints’ OC radar thus far.

The Chargers brought in Johnson for a meeting last year but ended up going with Kellen Moore soon after the latter’s Cowboys exit. A former Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach, Johnson still managed to move up the ladder. Working under Bobby Slowik in Houston this season, the 35-year-old assistant presided over one of the better QB rookie years in recent NFL history. Stroud’s early readiness will likely garner Johnson more than one OC meeting this offseason.

Puka Nacua‘s record-setting season may not be enough to beat out Stroud for Offensive Rookie of the Year, considering where the Texans were since the Deshaun Watson turbulence began. Stroud led the NFL in passing yards per game and in INT rate, throwing just five picks, and quarterbacked the Texans to a one-sided wild-card win over the Browns. Johnson’s first season as a team’s top QBs coach could not have gone much better.

Johnson, who bounced around the NFL as a practice squad arm during the 2010s, is just two years removed from the quality control level. The Colts employed Johnson as such from 2020-21, with the Vikings bringing him in as their assistant QBs coach during Kevin O’Connell‘s first season. Five teams — the Falcons, Panthers, Seahawks, Titans and Commanders — sent Slowik interview requests. The prospect of Ryans losing his top two offensive assistants after Year 1 will be in play.

Ken Dorsey Interviews For Browns’ OC Gig

January 21st, 2024 at 8:35am CST by Sam Robinson

Sean McDermott moved on from both Leslie Frazier and Ken Dorsey in 2023, with the latter decision preceding a late-season surge. But Dorsey had helped the Bills produce high-end offensive work during his 1 1/2-season tenure as the team’s play-caller. Both he and Frazier are on the interview circuit this year.

The Browns met with Dorsey this week about their newly vacant post, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Cleveland fired Alex Van Pelt this week, opening up its non-play-calling coordinator position. The Bills made Dorsey a coaching free agent back in November.

Remembered for his stretch as the Bills’ OC post, Dorsey may still be best known for his place as the quarterback on Miami’s dominant early-2000s teams. He parlayed that college success into a career as an NFL backup; that included a stop in Cleveland. In a 2006 trade that sent Trent Dilfer to the 49ers, the Browns obtained Dorsey and a seventh-round pick. Dorsey finished out his playing career in Cleveland, working primarily as a Browns backup from 2006-08. He made three starts in place of Derek Anderson in 2008.

Dorsey, 42, spent four-plus seasons in Buffalo, joining McDermott’s staff in 2019 as quarterbacks coach. Previously, he spent five seasons as the Panthers’ QBs coach. These stints allowed Dorsey to help develop Cam Newton and Josh Allen, with both becoming superstars during these stays. Brian Daboll‘s Giants hire allowed Dorsey, who was in place during Newton’s MVP season as the Panthers stormed to Super Bowl 50, to call plays for the first time. That promotion produced mixed results.

Allen battled an elbow injury last season but still powered the Bills to a 13-3 record. The Bills ranked second offensively last season. But Buffalo’s QB dynamo struggled with turnovers to start the 2023 campaign. Eleven of Allen’s career-high 18 interceptions occurred during Dorsey’s 10-game run as OC. After the Bills’ last-second loss to the Broncos in November, McDermott made Dorsey a sacrificial lamb by indicating the scuffling team needed to change something. The Bills promoted Joe Brady, and while their offensive performance has not exactly spiked, the team has stabilized its season and returned to the divisional round.

Dorsey joins Seahawks offensive line coach Andy Dickerson as Browns OC targets thus far. The Browns employed Van Pelt as Kevin Stefanski‘s right-hand man on offense for four seasons.

Browns, Jets Interested In Duce Staley

January 20th, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns moved on from running backs coach Stump Mitchell on Wednesday as part of the staff changes which included offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt‘s firing. Duce Staley is on Cleveland’s radar to replace the former, but the team is set to have competition.

Staley interviewed with the Browns this week for their vacant RBs coach position. He could very well find himself in Cleveland in the near future as a result. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports the Browns plan to make Staley an offer. Notably, though, she adds the same is true of the Jets.

New York does not have a known vacancy at that position, so it is certainly interesting to see the Jets mentioned as a suitor. Questions about the job security of head coach Robert Saleh and OC Nathaniel Hackett were raised amidst the Jets’ struggles throughout the season. However, owner Woody Johnson put those doubts to rest when announcing they (along with general manager Joe Douglas) would return for the 2024 season. Still, changes in some posts would come as little surprise as the team looks to avoid a repeat of 2023’s offensive output.

Staley was one of several members lauded for their inclusion on Frank Reich‘s Panthers staff heading into the campaign. Things did not go according to plan in Carolina this year, though, and Reich was ousted after just 11 games at the helm. Staley was among the positions coaches let go at the same time. The 48-year-old could easily find himself on another NFL sideline if competition for his services does indeed exist.

Both the Browns and Jets struggled with injuries up front during the campaign, though Cleveland fared better than New York in the ground game. Improvement in efficiency and consistency at the RB spot (along with improved health) will be a priority for both teams in the offseason. Staley – who has held a number of different titles in his coaching career while coaching running backs with the Eagles, Lions and Panthers – would be a notable addition to either staff.

Coaching Notes: Vrabel, Seahawks, Quinn, Morris, Falcons, Staley, Browns, Giants, Izzo, Steelers, Rams

January 18th, 2024 at 6:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks have not met with Mike Vrabel yet, but interest is believed to exist on the NFC West team’s part. More smoke has emerged connecting Vrabel to Seattle. Several sources indicated this is a match worth monitoring, according to ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, while the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora has heard Vrabel and Dan Quinn are the two names to watch with regards to the Seattle HC job.

Vrabel and Seahawks GM John Schneider are believed to be close, La Canfora adds. With Pete Carroll out of the picture, Schneider — who operated in a right-hand man role as Carroll held final say — is running the show in Seattle. Vrabel sought full personnel control in Tennessee when the team was between GMs, but the organization did not grant it. A structure in which Schneider holds final say but Vrabel possesses more input than he held with the Titans could make sense, but Quinn’s four seasons — spread across two stints, the latter two as a Super Bowl-bound DC — obviously provide a strong connection. The Dallas DC was also the first candidate mentioned for this opening. Quinn has a busy week on tap; the Cowboys’ DC is interviewing virtually with the Panthers, Chargers, Seahawks, Titans and Commanders.

Here is the latest from the coaching carousel:

  • Deviating from their Arthur Blank-era trend, the Falcons are believed to be eyeing a coach with experience. Raheem Morris represents an interesting choice, considering he was Atlanta’s interim HC in 2020, but La Canfora adds some around the league view this as a potential match. Sean McVay is advocating for his three-year DC, and a coaching agent informed La Canfora that Morris is believed to have left Atlanta the first time on good terms. Morris, who served as Buccaneers HC from 2009-11, was a Falcons staffer from 2015-20. Bill Belichick having a second interview booked does point to the ex-Patriots coach being the favorite here, however.
  • Duce Staley paid a visit to the Browns this week, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. The Browns just fired running backs coach Stump Mitchell and are in need at that post. Staley did not make it into December during his first season as Panthers RBs coach, joining QBs coach Josh McCown in being fired. But Staley has been an NFL backfield coach — with the Eagles, Lions and Panthers — since 2013.
  • The Browns are also interviewing Titans outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow, per veteran NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky. While incumbent D-line coach Ben Bloom is not believed to have been fired, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot confirms the Crow report, indicating Bloom could be reassigned. Crow was with Tennessee throughout Vrabel’s six-year tenure; Bloom has enjoyed two stints in Cleveland — 2009-10 and over the past four seasons under Kevin Stefanski.
  • Seeking a replacement for six-year special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, the Giants are eyeing one of their Tom Coughlin-era assistants. Larry Izzo, the former Patriots linebacker who coached on Coughlin’s staff from 2011-15, is in the mix for the ST coordinator job, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets. Izzo spent the past three seasons as the Seahawks‘ ST boss, but with Carroll gone, the organization has given its assistants permission to explore other opportunities. Izzo broke into coaching in New York, serving as assistant ST coach before moving up the ladder elsewhere.
  • The Rams are losing their defensive line coach to the college ranks. USC announced the hiring of Eric Henderson, who spent the past five seasons as the Rams’ D-line coach. Henderson’s Los Angeles run will continue; he started his NFL coaching stay with two seasons as the Chargers’ assistant D-line coach. Henderson, 40, will become the Trojans’ co-defensive coordinator.
  • Steelers assistant Glenn Thomas will rejoin Matt Rhule, according to The Athletic’s Mitch Sherman, who notes the former Baylor and Temple assistant will become co-OC at Nebraska. Thomas spent one season with the Steelers, coming to Pittsburgh after being Arizona State’s OC in 2022.

Browns To Interview Seahawks’ Andy Dickerson For OC

January 18th, 2024 at 3:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Browns begin their search to replace Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator, they are one of the many teams preparing to interview a former Sean McVay assistant.

Andy Dickerson, who finished his second season as the Seahawks’ offensive line coach, is set to interview for the Browns’ OC post, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweets. Dickerson has coached under Shane Waldron in Seattle for the past three seasons, moving up to O-line coach in 2022. He spent the previous nine years with the Rams, however. Dickerson is the first known candidate for Cleveland’s OC job, which had been Alex Van Pelt‘s for four years.

McVay kept Dickerson aboard from the Jeff Fisher years, with the veteran coach in place since the Fisher-Les Snead partnership formed in St. Louis back in 2012. Dickerson provided rare continuity in an assistant O-line coach for the Rams, being with the team during Steven Jackson‘s final seasons as the team’s starting back through Todd Gurley‘s ascent. He was in place when the Rams ventured to Super Bowl LIII but left with Waldron to work under Pete Carroll in 2021.

Dickerson’s first season as Seattle’s O-line coach, 2022, featured a historically rare experiment that featured two rookie tackles. Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas helped Geno Smith to Comeback Player of the Year honors and Kenneth Walker make a rookie-year impact for a surprising playoff team. Injuries affected the Seahawks’ O-line this past season, which produced the same 9-8 record. But the season can be labeled a disappointment given the resources the team put into this year’s squad.

Carroll’s ouster led the Seahawks to greenlight its staffers permission to interview elsewhere without the threat of being blocked. That would not apply to any Dickerson OC interview, however, as this is a move up the ladder. That said, the Browns are looking for a non-play-calling OC, as Kevin Stefanski will stay in place to call the shots in 2024. But the team is seeking new ideas on offense ahead of Deshaun Watson‘s third season running the show.

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/17/24

January 17th, 2024 at 9:05pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s reserve/futures contracts:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Pittsburgh Steelers

Bryant joined the Cowboys in November, and though he didn’t appear in any games, Bryant left a good impression in Dallas after several weeks on the practice squad. He was released late in the season as the team shuffled the roster a bit but makes his return to Dallas for the offseason.

Browns To Fire OC Alex Van Pelt, Two Others

January 17th, 2024 at 10:18am CST by Sam Robinson

10:18am: Van Pelt is indeed out. The four-year Browns OC confirmed to ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter he is no longer in place as Stefanski’s top lieutenant on offense. With Stefanski not going anywhere, the Browns will soon begin a search to fill their non-play-calling OC post. The Browns and Van Pelt explored a reassignment of duties, Trotter adds, but ultimately decided to separate.

8:22am: Kevin Stefanski may well collect his second Coach of the Year award in four seasons, but the Browns are coming off a one-sided wild-card loss. Days after the Texans’ Round 1 rout, the Browns are making changes on their offensive staff.

Cleveland is firing running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports. More significantly, Alex Van Pelt may well be on his way out as well. The four-year Cleveland OC has informed some with the team he has also been fired, according to Anderson.

While Mitchell and McCartney are out, both cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicate Van Pelt is being evaluated. The Browns are seeking fresh ideas on offense, per Cabot, who notes a Van Pelt dismissal is on the table. Van Pelt’s contract includes the 2024 season, Rapoport adds.

Operating as a non-play-calling OC throughout the Stefanski era in Cleveland, Van Pelt has been an NFL staffer since 2006. Aaron Rodgers‘ former QBs coach in Green Bay, Van Pelt is in his second go-round as a coordinator. While Van Pelt served as the Bills’ OC in 2009, it took him 11 years to land another coordinator opportunity. The 53-year-old assistant being moved off the Browns’ staff would certainly be notable, given the form the team’s offense showed amid injuries to its centerpiece players.

The Browns lost Nick Chubb and Jack Conklin for the season in September and were without Deshaun Watson and Jedrick Wills around midseason. Fill-in tackle starter Dawand Jones also sustained a season-ending malady. The Browns nevertheless made a surprising voyage to the AFC playoffs, finishing 11-6 behind a stunning Joe Flacco effort. Flacco could not carry his momentum into the playoffs, throwing back-to-back pick-sixes in a 45-14 loss to the Texans. But the Browns were able to withstand significant injuries to qualify for their second playoff berth under Stefanski, who may well still beat out DeMeco Ryans for Coach of the Year honors as a result.

Mitchell and McCartney have been with the Browns since 2020 as well. A former NFL running back, Mitchell — save for a three-year stint as a college HC — has coached RBs in the league since 1999. The 64-year-old assistant did not have any history with Stefanski prior to his 2020 arrival. Chubb has continued his ascent under Mitchell, becoming one of the best backs in franchise history. The team made do without its Pro Bowl back this season, using Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt to intermittent success.

McCartney, 34, has been Cleveland’s tight ends coach since 2022, moving up from the offensive assistant level. The former Broncos QBs coach helped foster David Njoku‘s long-awaited breakout year. The former first-round pick smashed his career-high numbers in receptions (82) and receiving yards (881) this season, which also included a career-best six touchdowns. Regardless of the outcome with Van Pelt, the Browns will have some vacancies to fill on their offensive staff.

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/16/24

January 16th, 2024 at 9:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

  • OL Ben Brown, S Tyreque Jones, RB Tyreik McAllister

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/15/24

January 15th, 2024 at 7:41pm CST by Ben Levine

With a handful of teams getting eliminated from the playoffs this weekend, those front offices are starting to prepare for the offseason. Here are today’s reserve/futures deals, with the majority coming from recently eliminated squads:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

Deshaun Watson To Start For Browns In 2024; Latest On QB’s Recovery

January 15th, 2024 at 10:51am CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns relied on Joe Flacco to close out the season and into the wild-card round in the wake of numerous injuries under center. The former Super Bowl MVP does not intend to retire any time soon, but a continued Browns tenure would not involve him maintaining his starting position.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed (via ESPN’s Jake Trotter) that Deshaun Watson sits atop the team’s offseason QB depth chart. The latter was shut down for the season due to shoulder surgery, and his absence led to the pursuit of Flacco in the first place. The 38-year-old was used as a gameday elevation for two weeks while staving off interest from teams looking to sign him off Cleveland’s practice squad. His strong play carried over through the end of the regular season, though the loss to the Texans saw a continuation of Flacco’s turnover issues.

It comes as no surprise Watson will be the No. 1 when healthy given his contract situation and the lack of proven options behind him on the depth chart (at least before Flacco was signed). A report from last month indicated Cleveland was open to the idea of keeping Flacco in place despite the presence of Watson and 2023 fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson. In any case, Flacco’s impressive audition has no doubt boosted his market amongst interested teams ahead of free agency, something which will help his goal of playing through the age of 40.

Stefanski added that Watson should be recovered from surgery sometime this spring, meaning he should be able to participate in Cleveland’s offseason program. A healthy and productive campaign in 2024 will be critical given the extent to which things have not gone according to plan for team and player in this situation. The former Texans Pro Bowler was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season, and the lingering shoulder issues limited him to six contests this year. Watson performed at a higher level when on the field in 2023 than he did in his debut Browns season, but to date he has not met expectations on his fully guaranteed $230MM pact.

Over each of the next three seasons, Watson is scheduled to carry a record-shattering cap hit of just under $64MM. Another restructure to his contract will therefore likely take place in the near future, and the particulars of that move will inform much of the team’s remaining budget at the QB spot. A deal with Flacco or another veteran backup option could be in play, but Watson will enter the build-up to the 2024 campaign assured of his spot atop the depth chart.

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