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Jacksonville Jaguars News & Rumors

Jaguars Optimistic On Evan Engram Deal, Want To Retain Jawaan Taylor

By | at March 1, 2023 3:19 pm

As the Jaguars transition from spending wildly in 2022 to a 2023 free agency period featuring little action in terms of outside hires, they are going down to the wire with two priority players.

The Jags’ interest in re-signing Evan Engram has been on the radar for a while, but Jawaan Taylor is also a keeper candidate for the resurgent team. GM Trent Baalke confirmed Engram and Taylor talks are ongoing, as the Combine annually ignites discussions between teams and key free agents.

Engram has joined Taylor in indicating he would like to stay in Jacksonville, and NFL.com’s James Palmer points to optimism a deal will be reached (Twitter link). Particularly with Engram, this will be a time-sensitive matter. The Jags have not ruled out tagging either Engram or Taylor, but with the tight end tag checking in at barely $11MM, Engram profiles as the likelier candidate to be cuffed. It would cost the Jags $18.2MM to tag Taylor.

“I think with Jawaan and Evan, I don’t want to speak for them, they know how we feel about them, and I think we know how they feel about us, and there’s a win-win in there somewhere. We’ve just got to get to that,” Baalke said, via the Florida Times-Union’s Demetrius Harvey. “We’ve got a nice window here before free agency starts, and our goal is to try to close those deals within that window.”

Given Engram’s interest in coming back, it should not be considered a lock the Jaguars will lose the seventh-year veteran if they pass on tagging him by the March 7 deadline. But that is the failsafe point for the Jags, who gave the ex-Giants first-rounder a one-year deal worth $9MM in 2022 and saw him produce a single-season franchise record for tight end receiving yards (766). Engram, 28, staying would further strengthen Jacksonville’s receiving corps, which has Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Calvin Ridley under contract.

Taylor’s path is a bit more complicated. The Jags already tagged left tackle Cam Robinson twice, eventually extending him last year. The tackle landscape reveals the either/or decisions teams have made recently regarding payments; clubs with big-ticket left tackle deals on their respective payrolls have not doled out much money to right tackles. Robinson’s $17.9MM-per-year pact ranks seventh at left tackle. The Jags have Walker Little as a possible option to succeed Taylor, who would be poised to do well on the market, with dependable O-linemen being coveted commodities annually.

Robinson’s meniscus tear, however, clouds the Jags’ plans here. Robinson would tentatively be on track to return by Week 1, but Doug Pederson confirmed his potential unavailability factors into the Taylor talks. Taylor, 25, has never missed a game as a pro.

The Jags do have more money to work with as they navigate these negotiations now. They recently restructured the contracts of Kirk, Jones, Brandon Scherff and Foye Oluokun, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter links). Altogether, this created $36MM-plus in cap space. Jacksonville has boosted its total to $16.1MM, as of Wednesday afternoon.

The team has re-signed Roy Robertson-Harris to a three-year, $30MM deal, keeping the D-line starter off the market. That contract is already factored into the team’s updated payroll. Engram and/or Taylor may follow suit; each would be free to negotiate with other teams beginning March 13.

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RB Rumors: Mixon, Cook, Dolphins, Jaguars

By | at March 1, 2023 12:42 pm

Emphatically announcing that Tee Higgins was not available for a trade, Bengals VP of player personnel Duke Tobin was less declarative regarding Joe Mixon‘s future. The seventh-year running back, one of a few 2017 backfield draftees who entered the offseason with an uncertain place on his team’s roster, has a fairly manageable 2023 cap hit ($12.8MM). Mixon, 26, is still unlikely to be with the team too much longer, considering the payments that will need to be made to the offense’s other high-profile players. His deal runs through 2024.

“I’m not gonna predict the offseason because I don’t have the answers. In the words of the great Kevin Malone, ‘I don’t know,’” Tobin said, borrowing a line from one of The Office‘s accounting staffers, when asked about Mixon. “We’ll all see as the offseason goes what we’re able to get done and how the resources are spread around, but Joe’s been a vital part of our team, a successful part, a contributing part. My job is to try to keep as many of those pieces around as I can.”

The Bengals could save more than $7MM by releasing Mixon and just more than $10MM if he is designated as a post-June 1 cut. The team also has the likes of Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell and Germaine Pratt set to hit the market. The Bengals are near the top of the league in cap space, at over $35MM, and after being aggressive in adding outside talent from 2020-22, they plan to restore their offseason focus on attempting to retain their own players. Releasing Mixon would be a way to create more space, but the Bengals would then need help at running back. Backup Samaje Perine is set for free agency, though he could be retained cheaply if the Bengals decided to cut the cord on their longtime starter.

Here is the latest from the running back scene:

  • Both Mixon and Dalvin Cook signed extensions just before the 2020 season; Cook’s Vikings pact was for five years, however. Entering Year 3 of that contract, the Vikings are not certain to move forward with their Pro Bowl ball-carrier. While calling Cook a “great player, great leader,” Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert) joined Tobin in stopping short of guaranteeing the former second-round pick would be back. “In the NFL you have a lot of constraints, salary cap, different things, and we’re trying to figure out how we can operate in those things,” Adofo-Mensah said. The Vikings could save $9MM by designating Cook a post-June 1 cut; the team is currently $24MM over the cap. Cutting the four-time 1,100-yard rusher would obviously come with risk. Going into his age-28 season, Cook has been one of the NFL’s best backs in recent years. Though, he has battled injuries and recently underwent shoulder surgery. Longtime backup Alexander Mattison is also on the cusp of free agency.
  • The Dolphins want to keep at least one of their free agent backs — Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson — and NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes the team has discussed the prospect of re-signing both (Twitter links). The ex-49ers cogs fared well in Miami last season, and each should be affordable thanks to a flood of starter-level backs being set for free agency. Mostert, who will turn 31 next month, signed a one-year, $2.1MM Dolphins deal in 2022. Wilson, 27, re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year, $1.1MM accord — one the 49ers traded at the deadline.
  • Fellow former 49ers back JaMycal Hasty is staying in Florida, having re-signed with the Jaguars. The Jags gave their backup running back a two-year deal that can max out at $3.2MM, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. Hasty will return to spell starter Travis Etienne, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
6 comments Cincinnati Bengals Jacksonville Jaguars Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings Uncategorized

2023 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at February 28, 2023 2:45 pm

As the head coaching carousel spun for several weeks, many teams made coordinator changes as well. Teams seeking new head coaches are conducting OC and DC searches, and a handful of other teams that did not make HC changes are also searching for top assistants.

This is a big year for offensive coordinator hires, with nearly half the league making changes. Here are the teams searching for new OCs and DCs. As new searches emerge, they will be added to the list.

Updated 3-1-23 (3:31pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals 

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Greg Roman)

Carolina Panthers (Out: Ben McAdoo)

  • Thomas Brown, tight ends coach, (Rams): Hired
  • Jim Bob Cooter, passing-game coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Brian Angelichio, tight ends coach (Vikings): Interviewed 2/2
  • Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed
  • Jeff Nixon, running backs coach (Panthers): Interviewed
  • Brian Schottenheimer, offensive consultant (Cowboys): Hired

Denver Broncos (Out: Justin Outten)

Houston Texans (Out: Pep Hamilton)

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Parks Frazier)

  • Jim Bob Cooter, passing-game coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
  • Tee Martin, wide receivers coach (Ravens): Interview requested

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Eric Bieniemy)

  • Matt Nagy, quarterbacks coach (Chiefs): Hired

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Joe Lombardi)

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Liam Coen)

New York Jets (Out: Mike LaFleur)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Shane Steichen)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Byron Leftwich)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Todd Downing)

Washington Commanders (Out: Scott Turner)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Vance Joseph)

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Dean Pees)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Leslie Frazier)

Carolina Panthers (Out: Al Holcomb)

  • Ejiro Evero, former defensive coordinator (Broncos): Hired
  • Vic Fangio, former head coach (Broncos): Interviewed
  • Marquand Manuel, safeties coach (Jets): Interviewed
  • Kris Richard, co-defensive coordinator (Saints): Interviewed

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans 

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Renaldo Hill)

  • Derrick Ansley, defensive backs coach (Chargers): Promoted
  • Doug Belk, defensive coordinator (Houston): Interviewed
  • DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Patriots): Interviewed

Miami Dolphins (Out: Josh Boyer)

Minnesota Vikings (Out: Ed Donatell)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Ryan Nielsen, Kris Richard)

  • Joe Woods, former defensive coordinator (Browns): Hired

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Jonathan Gannon)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: DeMeco Ryans)

  • Vic Fangio, former head coach (Broncos): On radar
  • Chris Harris, defensive backs coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/31
  • Kris Kocurek, defensive line coach (49ers): On radar
  • Steve Wilks, former interim head coach (Panthers): Hired
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Jaguars Extend RB JaMycal Hasty

By | at February 26, 2023 1:55 pm

One day after it was reported the Jaguars had agreed to terms on a new deal with defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, the team confirmed that the veteran will be staying in place for the foreseeable future. Sunday brought on another transaction in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have extended running back JaMycal Hasty, per a team announcement. He was due to become a restricted free agent next month, but will now continue his stay in Duval County. The 26-year-old began his career in San Francisco, shouldering a small workload on offense while carving out a role for himself on special teams. His 4.8 yards per touch with the 49ers showed potential, but was not enough to guarantee himself a spot on their 53-man roster.

Hasty was waived during cutdown day this year, and claimed by the Jaguars. He was active for them in all 19 contents played during the regular season and playoffs, nearly seeing as many offensive snaps (222) this campaign as he had over two years with the 49ers. He logged a career-high 46 carries, which yielded 194 yards (4.2 per carry) and a pair of touchdowns. He added another 126 yards and one score in the passing game, and an additional 97 yards on four kick returns.

2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne established himself as the lead back he was expected to become this campaign, allowing the Jaguars to trade James Robinson to the Jets midseason. That cleared the way for Hasty as a complimentary member of the team’s backfield, one which achieved middling success in 2022. Jacksonville ranked 14th in the league this season with an average of 125 yards per game on the ground.

Hasty will now head into 2023 looking to confirm his place in the backfield pecking order. Etienne is firmly entrenched as the No. 1, but competition could emerge from 2022 fifth-rounder Snoop Conner after the latter was used sparingly in eight games. Either way, he will avoid free agency with this deal and potentially set himself up for another career year next season.

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Jaguars Extend DL Roy Robertson-Harris

By | at February 25, 2023 5:38 pm

The Jaguars have been busy in recent days, but they have followed up their earlier work with a significant investment on their defense. Jacksonville has agreed to terms on a three-year, $30MM extension with defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (Twitter link). A team announcement has confirmed the move.

The veteran has been with the Jaguars since 2021, and enjoyed a productive stint in Duval County. He has been a full-time starter in his two seasons in Jacksonville, setting new career highs in a number of categories in each of those campaigns. He was already under contract through the 2023 season, but he will now be on the books for what will likely be a competitive stretch for the team.

The 29-year-old served in a mostly rotational role with the Bears to begin his career. The potential he showed there led to a three-year, $24.4MM deal in the 2021 offseason as a free agent. Expectations were raised for the former UDFA after that, and he has delivered to date. Robertson-Harris registered 37 tackles and three sacks in 2021, matching the latter total this past season. He made 45 total stops in 2022, adding 12 QB hits and four pass deflections. His strong play continued into the postseason, where he totaled 14 stops, one sack and five TFLs across two playoff games.

His production was indicative of the overall success enjoyed by Jacksonville’s defensive front during their run to an AFC South title and wild card victory. The team spent last offseason complimenting Robertson-Harris with the signing of Folorunso Fatukasi and selection of Travon Walker with the first overall pick in the draft. As a team, the Jaguars ranked 12th in the NFL in terms of rushing yards allowed per game – a stark improvement compared to years past.

Roberstson-Harris set new personal marks over the past two campaigns in terms of playing time. He logged snap shares of 60% and 61%, respectively, and this deal sets him up to remain a starter for the foreseeable future. This extension carries an average value essentially identical to what his 2023 cap hit was going to be ($10.1MM). It also represents the latest piece of accounting the Jaguars have taken care of in advance of free agency, something which will not see as many notable moves as 2022. Retaining in-house players will be their priority, so this move comes as an example of achieving that goal.

Roberstson-Harris is now in line for a slight uptick in compensation over the next few years relative to his first Jaguars contract. That investment proved to be a fruitful one, and his play suggests this latest one could be as well.

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Jaguars Re-Sign QB C.J. Beathard

By | at February 25, 2023 9:45 am

FEBRUARY 25: A few more details have surfaced on Beathard’s new two-year deal. The two-year contract carries a total base salary of $4.5MM, Pelissero tweets. The deal also includes annual incentives of up to $1MM, giving the contract a max value of $6.5MM if Beathard can hit his incentive benchmarks.

FEBRUARY 24: C.J. Beathard joined the Jaguars before Doug Pederson, but the Urban Meyer-era investment remains in the franchise’s plans. The Jags announced Friday they reached another agreement with their backup quarterback.

This is a two-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Beathard, who signed with the team in 2021, was set to be a free agent. The former 49ers third-round pick will be expected to remain Trevor Lawrence‘s backup going forward. Beathard, 29, played out a two-year, $5MM contract in 2022.

Lawrence has not missed a start since being the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, keeping Beathard on the bench except for games requiring mop-up work. Beathard saw more action with the 49ers, who drafted him shortly after Trent Baalke‘s ouster as GM. Baalke was in place with the Jags when they drafted Beathard; Baalke and Pederson have liked what they’ve seen from the Iowa alum in his QB2 role.

Chosen 104th overall in 2017, Beathard is 2-10 as a starter. Upon taking over a rebuild in San Francisco, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch did not acquire a long-term QB ahead of their first season. This left Beathard and Brian Hoyer as the notable arms. But the 49ers benched the veteran and started Beathard in October 2017. Shortly after, they traded for Jimmy Garoppolo. The ex-Patriots backup, however, did not debut immediately for his new team. That left Beathard at the controls during Garoppolo’s first weeks in the Bay Area. Beathard, the grandson of Hall of Fame GM Bobby Beathard, quarterbacked Shanahan’s first win — a November 2017 victory against the Giants.

In 25 appearances over the past six seasons, Beathard has completed 58.8% of his passes at 6.9 yards per attempt. His select starts with San Francisco notwithstanding, the former Big Ten QB1 has not factored into any starter conversations. But the Jags will continue to keep him onboard during Lawrence’s rookie contract.

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AFC Coaching Notes: Fangio, Colts, Jaguars

By | at February 24, 2023 9:18 am

At 64, Vic Fangio is closer to the end of his coaching career than the beginning. However, his decision to take the Dolphins‘ defensive coordinator position should not be considered a short-term commitment.

“I still have a lot of coaching left in me,” Fangio said, via Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “It’s not like I’m thinking about retirement or anything. Somebody asked, ‘How much longer are you gonna do this?’ I don’t know. It might be 10 years, if they’ll have me here for 10 years.”

After a delay between when his Miami deal was first reported and when he officially accepted it, Fangio reportedly became the league’s highest-paid coordinator. Expectations will be raised in Miami, with the former Broncos head coach and celebrated defensive mind taking charge of a unit which struggled in 2022. Fangio’s new defense has number of intriguing players on it with plenty of upside. Regardless of their performance, Fangio, who signed a three-year contract, is eyeing a lengthy stay in the Sunshine State.

Here are some other coaching updates from the AFC:

  • The Colts have seen plenty of turnover on their staff, one now led by Shane Steichen. The latest addition is DeAndre Smith, whom Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News tweets is leaving the Giants’ staff to head to Indianapolis. Smith spent last season as the Giants’ running backs coach and will work in the same capacity with the Colts. The 54-year-old assistant’s tenure in New York last year marked his first NFL coaching gig, following more than two decades spent in the college ranks; Smith will now reunite with Steichen, after the pair worked together at UNLV in 2009.
  • Steichen is not planning to make wholesale changes on offense. One assistant who is expected to stay put: franchise icon Reggie Wayne (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Zak Keefer). Wayne, who played for the Colts for 14 seasons en route to becoming a Hall of Fame finalist, began his coaching career this past season as Indianapolis’ wide receivers coach and will likely remain in that role in 2023.
  • The Jaguars lost Jim Bob Cooter earlier this week when he made the intra-divisional move to the Colts to become Indy’s offensive coordinator. Jacksonville found a replacement in Nick Holz (Twitter link via Mia O’Brien of 1010 XL). The veteran staffer spent 10 seasons as an NFL coach, all with the Raiders; his tenure with the team ended in 2021 after he worked as its assistant wide receivers coach. Holz spent the past season as the OC at UNLV and will now be paired alongside Jaguars OC (and close friend) Press Taylor.
  • After yet another injury-filled season, the Chargers are making a change on the training side. They are moving on from longtime athletic trainer Damon Mitchell, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Mitchell had spent past six years as the team’s trainer and had been with the organization long before the injury-prone stigma entered the equation, spending the past 24 years in San Diego and Los Angeles.
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Evan Engram Wants To Stay With Jaguars

By | at February 21, 2023 6:30 pm

Last month, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke expressed interest in the team re-signing Evan Engram. The former first-round pick confirmed he is also onboard with staying in Jacksonville, offering a firmer stance compared to his December 2022 view.

The former five-year Giants starter put himself in better position to cash in this year, setting a Jaguars single-season tight end record with 766 receiving yards. While Engram is going into his age-29 season, he could be the market’s top tight end. Although he will be in a good spot if he hits free agency, the Ole Miss product wants to stay where he is.

“Hopefully something gets done; it’s mutual,” Engram said (during a Sirius XM Radio interview; audio link) of the interest in him returning to the Jaguars. “We haven’t had too many conversations yet, but the interest is there on both sides for me to come back, and obviously I would love to come back as well.”

After toiling on flawed Giants teams during his first half-decade in the NFL, Engram became a key component in the Jags’ late-season surge to the divisional round. The franchise had not seen ideal returns on recent investments at the position, from Julius Thomas to Josh Oliver to Tyler Eifert. Engram provided a different impact, topping Kyle Brady‘s 22-year-old Jags tight end single-season standard. Engram also surpassed his own career yardage best — set during his 2017 rookie year — and added a seven-catch, 93-yard outing in the Jags’ 27-point wild-card comeback.

The Jags gave Engram a one-year, $9MM deal in March 2022, and while that is decent “prove it” money, Engram will be targeting more on his second Jacksonville accord. The Jags’ interest and the tight end franchise tag checking in as the third-cheapest this year could also point to Engram not reaching free agency.

It does not sound like he would begrudge the Jaguars for proceeding down that path. Three teams — the Browns, Cowboys and Dolphins — tagged tight ends last year; David Njoku was the only one to sign an extension before the July deadline.

“I felt like I put a lot of great things on film; I had a lot of great results this year. I was a big part of helping my team win,” Engram said. “When you do that at the pass-catching position, those guys get taken care of financially. That’s something that’s been a big goal of mine my entire career.

“If [the tag] happens, I think that’ll be a placeholder to get something done. If that does happen, I’ll be blessed either way. We’ll figure something out long-term that both sides will be happy with.”

The tight end tag will cost teams $11.36MM this year. The Jags may well have Engram positioned as their top free agent. While four-year right tackle starter Jawaan Taylor wants to stay as well, the team already has left tackle Cam Robinson signed to a top-10 deal at his position and Brandon Scherff attached to a top-level guard pact. The team also, however, already has three wide receivers signed to notable contracts. Christian Kirk is set to count $23MM toward Jacksonville’s 2023 cap; Zay Jones is at $10.6MM. Calvin Ridley‘s potential reinstatement will lead to him counting $10.9MM against the cap, via his fifth-year option. But Engram’s deal could be backloaded to complement the receivers’ numbers. Should Engram be retained, he would round out a promising pass-catching corps for Trevor Lawrence‘s third season.

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Colts Expected To Hire Jim Bob Cooter As OC

By | at February 20, 2023 2:07 pm

The Colts’ interview process for their full-time head coach was a rather lengthy one. Their search for an offensive coordinator, by contrast, has reportedly come to an end quickly. Indianapolis is expected to hire Jim Bob Cooter as their new OC (Twitter link via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler).

The 38-year-old drew plenty of interest during this year’s hiring cycle. That included an interview request being made shortly after Shane Steichen had been installed as the Colts’ new head coach. Cooter will remain in the AFC South with this move, having spent the 2022 season as Jacksonville’s passing game coordinator.

Cooter began his NFL coaching career in Indianapolis, being hired in 2009 as an offensive assistant. He spent three seasons there, before taking on a few different positions around the NFL which led him to Detroit. A single campaign spent there as quarterbacks coach was followed by three-plus as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. His ascent to that role by his early 30s represented a notable rise through the NFL coaching ranks.

After his tenure in Detroit came to an end, Cooter moved on to the Jets for a pair of seasons as their running backs coach. That was followed by a year with the Eagles in a consulting role, during which time he and Steichen worked together. The 2021 season was the latter’s debut season as OC in Philadelphia, and helped lay the foundation for the success he had this past year which earned him the HC position with the Colts.

While the Eagles were putting together a highly impressive season in 2022, Cooter was working with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. Expectations were high for the 2021 first overall pick, after Doug Pederson had been brought in as head coach of the Jaguars. Lawrence took a major step forward across the board statistically, earning a Pro Bowl nod and helping lead the team to the AFC South title. A comeback win over the Chargers in the wild card round showcased his potential for further development down the road.

Cooter had a role in that progress, and now he will be tasked with overseeing the Colts’ offense while, in all likelihood, working a new signal-caller into the unit. Steichen’s work with quarterbacks in the past played a role in his hire, and Indianapolis has the opportunity this offseason to draft a new franchise QB. Regardless of how their efforts on that front turn out, Cooter will look to engineer a rebound on offense for a team which ranked 30th in the league in scoring (17 points per game) in 2022.

Cooter – who also interviewed with the Panthers and Buccaneers for their respective OC vacancies – was one of two candidates connected to the Colts posting. The other, Tee Martin, has not been named as a candidate for any other position this offseason, so this news points to him remaining in place as the Ravens’ wide receivers coach. Despite Cooter’s coordinator experience, it has already been confirmed that Steichen will call plays for the Colts this season, one in which much of their offense will look considerably different.

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NFL Coaching Updates: Broncos, Brown, Cowboys, Jaguars

By | at February 19, 2023 7:05 pm

Following the departure of former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, there has been a litany of change to the coaching staff in Denver. A few of the updates and notes have flown a bit under the radar. For instance, in the midst of new head coach Sean Payton attempting to find his new defensive coordinator, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the team was interested in former Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis, who ended up getting hired for the same position in Arizona. Rapoport also avers that Philadelphia, knowing new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon would be leaving their defensive coordinator position vacant, also had interest in retaining Rallis in an enhanced role as coordinator.

A rumor has also come to light that may explain a bit of why Payton and the Broncos have not yet filled the position. According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, the Broncos are seeking to retain defensive line coach Marcus Dixon and secondary coach Christian Parker regardless of who they hire at the defensive coordinator position. While a flattering notion towards the two coaches, the move effectively handcuffs whoever accepts the position into working with the two, regardless of system fit. Many of former defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero‘s staff have departed to join him in Carolina, though, and this appears to be the dedication Denver must show in order to retain the remaining assistants.

Klis also tweeted of another departure from the Broncos staff. While not technically a coach, instructional designer John Viera will reportedly be following Hackett to New York. Klis describes Viera as the “coach to the coaches,” detailing that he would lead presentations to the coaching staff.

Here are a few other coaching rumors from around the league:

  • The Panthers hired one of the league’s up and coming coaches this past weekend, announcing the addition of Rams assistant head coach and tight ends coach Thomas Brown as their new offensive coordinator. Rams head coach Sean McVay reportedly didn’t want to lose Brown but didn’t feel he could block him from a great opportunity, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. McVay regarded Brown as one of the best teachers he has worked with, and he was not the only one who noticed. Brown interviewed for the open Dolphins’ head coaching position last offseason and interviewed for the Texans’ job this year, as well. He was also a candidate for several other offensive coordinator positions. Brown’s considered a rising offensive mind in the game brings some intrigue to Carolina as a new play caller.
  • The Cowboys have added two former NFL players to their coaching staff for 2023. Former Vikings first round pick Sharrif Floyd will be officially added to the staff as the assistant defensive line and defensive quality control coach, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. The former defensive tackle, who played under Dan Quinn at Florida, worked with the staff during training camp last year. Todd Archer of ESPN adds that the team is also bringing on former safety and special teams ace Darian Thompson to serve as assistant linebackers and quality control coach. After spending much of 2021 on the practice squad, Thompson did not appear on the field in 2022.
  • In a tweet this week, the Jaguars announced two minor additions to their 2023 coaching staff. Jacksonville has hired former Bills wide receivers coach Chad Hall to serve in the same role for the Jaguars. After coaching Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis for the past four seasons, Hall will join Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson to coach a wide receivers group that surpassed all expectations in 2022 and may benefit even more with the potential addition of suspended receiver Calvin Ridley. The team has also added Greg Austin in the position of offensive quality control coach.
  • After hiring Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator, the Vikings are parting ways with linebackers coach Greg Manusky, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Manusky has served as defensive coordinator for four different teams over the years. The veteran assistant should have plenty of options moving forward.
  • The Chargers announced a minor addition to their staff this week, according to Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports. Los Angeles will be bringing in former Georgia defensive analyst Robert Muschamp as a quality control coach. Muschamp is the nephew of Georgia co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Will Muschamp and joined his uncle in Athens after two years working in Tennessee.
  • The Texans have hired former Kent State director of football operations and Yale chief of staff Jake Olson to the coaching staff, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. It’s a bit unclear what his role will be, but he will don the title of assistant senior assistant.
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