- Sean Ryan was connected to multiple North-division offensive coordinator openings last year, but both the Browns and Vikings went in different directions. A year later, though, the Lions will bring the Texans’ quarterbacks coach north. Ryan will replace George Godsey as Detroit’s QBs coach, the team announced. Godsey will join Brian Flores‘ staff in Miami. This will be Ryan’s third gig instructing QBs. He first held that post with the Giants from 2012-13. The past two years, he worked with Deshaun Watson in Houston.
- Following changes at OC and quarterbacks coach, more turnover will occur in Detroit. Lions running backs coach David Walker will step away from coaching. He coached the Lions’ running backs for the past three seasons. Walker coached at the college and pro levels for 22 years. This will be another place Patricia makes a hire. Only wide receivers coach Robert Prince remains as an offensive position coach from the Jim Caldwell era.
- The five teams that coveted former Dolphins special teams coach Darren Rizzi — the Bills, Jets, Lions, Packers and Vikings — are no longer in the running for Rizzi, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets. But two other teams are interested. Rizzi and incoming Dolphins HC Brian Flores met recently and decided to part ways, per Salguero (on Twitter).
Lions linebacker Trevor Bates is in hot water. Rocco Parascandola and Thomas Tracy of the New York Daily News report that the 25-year-old was arrested for skipping a cab fare in New York City last night. After refusing to be fingerprinted at the stationhouse, authorities say Bates punched an officer in the face.
Cops subsequently subdued Bates, who was later taken to Elmhurst Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. The player was reportedly calm when he was first arrested, but he became enraged while sitting in his holding cell (via Tina Moore and Amanda Woods of the New York Daily Post). Bates reportedly “didn’t like a sergeant standing nearby,” and that individual was released from a hospital after receiving stitches and being evaluated for a concussion.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn released a brief statement on the matter (via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News on Twitter):
“We are aware of the arrest of Trevor Bates earlier today in New York. We have not spoken to Trevor as of yet and are still in the process of gathering more information. The Detroit Lions will have no further comment at this time.”
The 2016 seventh-round pick out of Maine has bounced around the league a bit during his brief career, spending time with the Lions, Colts, Giants, and Patriots (with whom he won a ring with in 2017). Bates appeared in a career-high nine games with Detroit in 2018, compiling three tackles. The linebacker has a $570K cap number for the 2019 season.
- On the subject of this division’s special teams leaders, the Lions announced they are bringing back John Bonamego as their ST coordinator. Bonamego left the Lions after the 2014 season to take over as head coach of his alma mater, Central Michigan. However, the Chippewas fired him after the 2018 campaign. He was previously Detroit’s ST boss from 2013-14. Interestingly, he was Mallory’s predecessor as Jaguars ST coordinator. He also served in this role for the Packers, Saints and Dolphins since 2003. The Lions fired Joe Marciano as their ST coordinator midseason.
- While the Vikings again selected a cornerback in the first round last year in Mike Hughes, perhaps their offensive line needs should have won out. In an ESPN.com redraft, Courtney Cronin wrote Bears interior lineman James Daniels would have been the better choice (ESPN+ link). Daniels became a full-time starter with the Bears as a second-round rookie, being a first-string presence in Chicago’s final 10 regular-season games. ESPN also gave the Lions a different offensive lineman with their first pick, Michael Rothstein pulling the trigger on Giants guard Will Hernandez instead of Frank Ragnow.
The Lions have hired Darrell Bevell as their new offensive coordinator, the team announced on Wednesday. Bevell guided the Seahawks’ offense for seven seasons and oversaw the Vikings’ attack from 2006-10. 
[RELATED: PFR’s Offensive Coordinator Search Tracker]
Bevell did not coach in 2018, but took part in some interviews during the last cycle, which included his Seattle ouster. It has been Bevell’s plan to coach in 2019, and he’s accomplished that by joining the Lions.
Bevell wasn’t necessarily known to be a leading candidate for the Lions’ job, but he either outshined other candidates or simply hung around long enough to watch the other ones sign elsewhere. Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Monken were both in the running for the job, but they’ve since hooked on with the Packers and Browns, respectively.
With Jim Bob Cooter at the helm in 2017, Matthew Stafford played some of his best football and the Lions finished out with the No. 7 scoring offense in the NFL. Last year, however, Stafford regressed hard. The Lions are hoping that Bevell will be the answer after the QB managed just 3,777 passing yards in 2018.
The Falcons and Jaguars also spoke with Bevell about their respective OC vacancies.
While eight NFL teams are making a head coaching change this offseason, the number of clubs replacing offensive and/or defensive coordinators figures to be much higher than that. In addition to all those teams hiring new head coaches, who may want to bring in their own assistants, several clubs also figure to make changes on one side of the ball or the other after getting disappointing results in 2018. And, of course, the teams whose coordinators landed head coaching jobs will need to replace them.
With reports circulating on potential candidates, interview requests, and actual meetings, we’ll use the space below to keep tabs on all the latest updates on teams hiring new offensive and/or defensive coordinators. This post, which will be updated daily, can be found under the “PFR Features” menu on the right-hand side of the site.
[Updated: 2/21/19, 4:58pm CT]
Offensive Coordinators
Arizona Cardinals (Out: Byron Leftwich)
- Tom Clements, former offensive coordinator (Packers): Hired as quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator
- Cardinals will not hire an offensive coordinator; head coach Kliff Kingsbury will call plays.
- Jim Bob Cooter, former offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed on 1/16
- Hue Jackson, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed on 1/18
- Ben McAdoo, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed for offensive position
- Jake Spavital, head coach (Texas State): Mentioned as candidate
- John DeFilippo, former offensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed; Hired by Jaguars
- Mike McDaniel, run game coordinator (49ers): 49ers denied interview request
- Steve Sarkisian, former offensive coordinator (Falcons): Declined position
Atlanta Falcons (Out: Steve Sarkisian)
- Dirk Koetter, former head coach (Buccaneers): Hired
- Darrell Bevell, former offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Mike Mularkey, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed on 1/2
- Gary Kubiak, former head coach (Broncos): Broncos denied interview request
Baltimore Ravens (Out: Marty Mornhinweg)
- Greg Roman, assistant head coach/tight ends (Ravens): Promoted
Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Bill Lazor)
- Brian Callahan, quarterbacks coach (Raiders): Hired
- Head coach Zac Taylor will call plays.
- Darrell Bevell, former offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Mentioned as candidate
- Gary Kubiak, former head coach (Broncos): Broncos denied interview request
- Ben McAdoo, former head coach (Giants): Mentioned as candidate
Cleveland Browns (Out: Freddie Kitchens)
- Todd Monken, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Hired
- Head coach Freddie Kitchens will call plays.
- Jim Bob Cooter, former offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
Dallas Cowboys (Out: Scott Linehan)
- Kellen Moore, quarterbacks coach (Cowboys): Promoted
- Doug Nussmeier, tight ends coach (Cowboys): Mentioned as candidate
Denver Broncos (Out: Bill Musgrave)
- Rich Scangarello, quarterbacks coach (49ers): Hired
- Gary Kubiak, former head coach (Broncos): Will not be hired
Detroit Lions (Out: Jim Bob Cooter)
- Darrell Bevell, former offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Hired
- Nathaniel Hackett, former offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Todd Monken, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed
- Steve Sarkisian, former offensive coordinator (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
Green Bay Packers (Out: Joe Philbin)
- Nathaniel Hackett, former offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
- Head coach Matt LaFleur will call plays.
- Mike McDaniel, run game coordinator (49ers): Mentioned as candidate
- Todd Monken, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed
Houston Texans
- Tim Kelly, tight ends coach (Texans): Promoted
Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Scott Milanovich)
- John DeFilippo, former offensive coordinator (Vikings): Hired
- Darrell Bevell, former offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed on 1/8
- Mike McCoy, former offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed on 1/15
- Gary Kubiak, former head coach (Broncos): Interview scheduled but never occurred
- Todd Monken, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed
Miami Dolphins (Out: Dowell Loggains)
- Chad O’Shea, wide receivers coach (Patriots): Hired
Minnesota Vikings
- Kevin Stefanksi, interim offensive coordinator (Vikings): Retained
- Hue Jackson, special assistant to the head coach (Bengals): Mentioned as candidate; not considered likely hire
- Dirk Koetter, former head coach (Buccaneers): Mentioned as candidate
- Mike Mularkey, former head coach (Titans): Mentioned as candidate
New York Jets (Out: Jeremy Bates)
- Dowell Loggains, former offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Hired
- Head coach Adam Gase will call plays.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Todd Monken)
- Byron Leftwich, former offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Hired as offensive coordinator/pass game coordinator
- Leftwich will call plays.
- Harold Goodwin, former offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Hired as assistant head coach/run game coordinator
Tennessee Titans (Out: Matt LaFleur)
- Arthur Smith, tight ends coach (Titans): Promoted
Washington Redskins (Out: Matt Cavanaugh)
- Kevin O’Connell, quarterbacks coach (Redskins): Promoted
- Cavanaugh re-assigned as senior offensive assistant.
Defensive Coordinators
Arizona Cardinals (Out: Al Holcomb)
- Vance Joseph, former head coach (Broncos): Hired
- Dom Capers, former defensive coordinator (Packers): Mentioned as candidate
- Chuck Pagano, former head coach (Colts): Mentioned as candidate
Atlanta Falcons (Out: Marquand Manuel)
- Will not hire a defensive coordinator; head coach Dan Quinn will call plays.
Chicago Bears (Out: Vic Fangio)
- Chuck Pagano, former head coach (Colts): Hired
- Todd Bowles, former head coach (Jets): Declined position
- Ed Donatell, defensive backs coach (Bears): Interviewed on 1/10
Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Marvin Lewis)
- Lou Anarumo, defensive backs coach (Giants): Hired
- Mike Elko, defensive coordinator (Texas A&M):Interview requested
- John Fox, former head coach (Bears): Mentioned as candidate
- Marquand Manuel, former defensive coordinator (Falcons): Interview requested
- Mike Nolan, linebackers coach (Saints): Mentioned as candidate
- Aubrey Pleasant, cornerbacks coach (Rams): To be interviewed
- Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator (Saints): Bengals had interest
- Dom Capers, former defensive coordinator (Packers): Declined position
- Jack Del Rio, former head coach (Raiders): Will not be hired
- Jeff Hafley, co-defensive coordinator (Ohio State): Hafley rejected interview request
- Aaron Glenn, defensive backs coach (Saints): Saints denied interview request
- Todd Grantham, defensive coordinator (Florida): Declined position
Cleveland Browns (Out: Gregg Williams)
- Steve Wilks, former head coach (Cardinals): Hired
- Vance Joseph, former head coach (Broncos): Interview scheduled
- Chuck Pagano, former head coach (Colts): Mentioned as candidate
- Steve Spagnuolo, former defensive coordinator (Giants): Mentioned as candidate
Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Woods)
- Ed Donatell, secondary coach (Bears): Hired
Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Bob Sutton)
- Steve Spagnuolo, former defensive coordinator (Giants): Hired
- Rex Ryan, former head coach (Bills): Mentioned as candidate
Miami Dolphins (Out: Matt Burke)
- Patrick Graham, linebacker coach/run game coordinator (Packers): Hired
- Bret Bielema, consultant to the head coach (Patriots): Mentioned as candidate
New England Patriots (Out: Brian Flores)
- Greg Schiano, former defensive coordinator (Ohio State): To be hired
New York Jets (Out: Kacy Rodgers)
- Gregg Williams, former interim head coach/defensive coordinator (Browns): Hired
- Vance Joseph, former head coach (Broncos): Mentioned as candidate
- Chuck Pagano, former head coach (Colts): Mentioned as candidate
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Mark Duffner)
- Todd Bowles, former head coach (Jets): Hired
Former Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods will interview for the Redskins’ defensive backs coach job, and then decide between joining Washington or the Cardinals in the same role, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link).
Woods, who succeeded Wade Phillips as Denver’s defensive coordinator in 2017, doesn’t appear to be generating any DC interest around the NFL despite leading a defense that’s ranked top-10 in DVOA in each of the past two seasons (including fifth in 2018). Arizona would seem to be a natural destination for Woods, as he’d once again be working under ex-Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, who was recently hired as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator.
Meanwhile in Denver, co-defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson is not expected to return as a member of new head coach Vic Fangio‘s staff, and he’s also drawing interest from the Cardinals, tweets Klis. The Broncos’ other secondary coach — Greg Williams — won’t be back either, and he’s been linked to the Panthers and the Lions, per Klis.
According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.
If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $2MM in 2019. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.
Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2019 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:
Bears: RB Jordan Howard, LB Nick Kwiatkoski
Bengals: LB Nick Vigil
Broncos: G Connor McGovern, S Will Parks, S Justin Simmons
Browns: S Derrick Kindred, LB Joe Schobert
Buccaneers: G Caleb Benenoch, DE Carl Nassib, CB Ryan Smith
Chargers: LB Jatavis Brown
Chiefs: CB Kendall Fuller, WR Tyreek Hill, S Eric Murray, WR Demarcus Robinson
Colts: QB Jacoby Brissett, T Joe Haeg
Cowboys: CB Anthony Brown, DT Maliek Collins, QB Dak Prescott
Dolphins: RB Kenyan Drake
Eagles: CB Jalen Mills, T Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Falcons: LB De’Vondre Campbell, TE Austin Hooper, G Wes Schweitzer
Jaguars: DE Yannick Ngakoue
Jets: LB Jordan Jenkins, CB Rashard Robinson, T Brandon Shell
Lions: C Graham Glasgow
Packers: LB Kyler Fackrell, DE Dean Lowry, LB Blake Martinez, LB Antonio Morrison
Patriots: G Joe Thuney, LB Elandon Roberts
Rams: G Austin Blythe, TE Tyler Higbee
Ravens: DE Matt Judon, OL Alex Lewis, CB Tavon Young
Saints: DT David Onyemata
Steelers: DT Javon Hargrave
Texans: DT D.J. Reader
Titans: S Kevin Byard, WR Tajae Sharpe
OverTheCap.com was essential in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Both the Packers and Lions intend to interview former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken in the coming days, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Monken is also scheduled to meet with the Browns this weekend.
Monken generated head coaching interest in the past few weeks, and even interviewed for the Green Bay position before Matt LaFleur was hired. Monken’s meeting with the Packers was said to have gone especially well, so it’s perhaps no surprise that they’ve asked him back. While he presumably wouldn’t call plays in Green Bay, Monken would have the opportunity work with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.
In Detroit, meanwhile, Monken would have the opportunity to call offensive plays. Head coach Matt Patricia comes from a defensive background, and the Lions are searching for a new OC after firing Jim Bob Cooter earlier this week. Monken, who runs an Air Raid scheme, would offer a stark contrast to Cooter’s run-oriented offense.
Monken, a former collegiate head coach at Southern Miss, joined Tampa Bay in 2016 but wasn’t named OC until last season. The Buccaneers proceeded to rank third in total yardage, third in yards per play, and 12th in points and DVOA despite flip-flopping between Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.