NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/5/26
We’ve got our first batch of reserve/futures contracts to pass along. These moves allow organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Chris Blair, P Trenton Gill, DB Tysheem Johnson, DT Ben Stille, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Carlos Washington Jr., DB A.J. Woods
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, WR Cornelius Johnson, DT David Olajiga, DB Amani Oruwariye, G Jared Penning, DB Marquise Robinson, LB Kaimon Rucker, FB Lucas Scott
Cincinnati Bengals
- LB Liam Anderson, C Jacob Bayer, RB Gary Brightwell, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, OT Javon Foster, WR Xavier Johnson, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, WR Jordan Moore, LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, S Russ Yeast
Cleveland Browns
- TE Sal Cannella, G Jack Conley, WR Luke Floriea, RB Ahmani Marshall, OT Tyre Phillips, TE Caden Prieskorn
Dallas Cowboys
- WR ParrisCampbell, OL Nick Leverett
Detroit Lions
- OL Devin Cochran, WR Malik Cunningham, DE Ahmed Hassanein, TE Zach Horton, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, RB Jabari Small, DL Chris Smith, S Loren Strickland
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Ulysses Bentley IV, CB Wyett Ekeler, DE Viliami Fehoko Jr., G LaDarius Henderson, QB Seth Henigan, OT Bayron Matos, TE Sean McKeon, C Jimmy Morrissey, G Bill Murray, DE Durell Nchami, S Ben Nikkel, WR Coleman Owen, WR Eli Pancol, G Josh Sills, DT Tim Smith, S Trey Washington
Kansas City Chiefs
- LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris, WR Jimmy Holiday, OT Matt Waletzko
Las Vegas Raiders
- RB Chris Collier, G McClendon Curtis, LB Jamin Davis, WR Phillip Dorsett, DT Treven Ma’ae, OT Joshua Miles, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, WR Brenden Rice, G Layden Robinson, WR Justin Shorter, OL Laki Tasi, OT Dalton Wagner
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Joaquin Davis, OT Caleb Etienne, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, WR Jeshaun Jones, TE Bryson Nesbit, G Vershon Lee, LB Josh Ross
New Orleans Saints
- CB Dalys Beanum, CB Beanie Bishop, WR Elijah Cooks, S Elliott Davison, DT Coziah Izzard, OT Easton Kilty, CB Jayden Price, OT Barry Wesley
New York Giants
- LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Tanner Conner, OLB Trace Ford, OL Reid Holskey, CB Patrick McMorris, CB Myles Purchase
New York Jets
- DE Paschal Ekeji, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Ochaun Mathis, WR Jamaal Pritchett, DB Samuel Womack
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DB Marcus Banks, WR Dennis Houston, NT Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DT Jayson Jones, C Ben Scott, LB Benton Whitley, DB Damarion Williams, RB Josh Williams, RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- DE David Ebuka Agoha, DB Keydrain Calligan, DT Timmy Horne, LB Nate Lynn, WR Hal Presley, NT Isaiah Raikes, WR Xavier Restrepo, LB Cam Riley, RB Blake Watson, G Clay Webb, TE Joel Wilson
Washington Commanders
- Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, DT Ricky Barber, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, CB Tre Hawkins, DE D.J. Johnson, WR Jacoby Jones, DE TJ Maguranyanga, S Rob McDaniel, OT Tim McKay, CB Darius Rush, CB Car’lin Vigers
NFC East Notes: Eberflus, Giants, Biadasz
Matt Eberflus appears set to become a one-and-done DC in Dallas. Jerry Jones‘ comments point to a firing. The Cowboys finished last in points allowed and 30th in total defense. Jones identified the secondary as a particular concern area. The group has already undergone changes, beginning with the Trevon Diggs cut.
“Probably the one that I think was the most impactful is that we had a high expectation in our secondary, and I thought we would be good at all phases of it,” Jones said, via DallasCowboys.com’s Tommy Yarrish. “… The secondary really had issues regarding personnel, time on the field, time at practice. We weren’t ambitious, we knew some of those guys would be getting back [from injury]… I would say that’s the area.”
The Cowboys played a chunk of the season without Diggs, who has battled knee trouble since his September 2023 ACL tear, and placed the recently extended DaRon Bland on IR last month. The team did not see third-round rookie cornerback Shavon Revel debut until November due to a college ACL tear, and Kaiir Elam disappointed following an offseason trade. Pro Football Focus ranks safeties Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Markquese Bell outside the top 65 at the position. Changes figure to come there as well.
While Jones said blame for the defensive issues is widespread, Eberflus is widely expected to be out. By 2026, the Cowboys should have a fourth DC this decade. Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- No official decision on Eberflus will come for more than a week, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Nick Harris. The Cowboys will wait on this, planning to conduct a review before determining their staff direction. It could be up to 12 days before a decision emerges. The Cowboys regularly operate methodically here, as their past two HC changes have shown. Eberflus will now wait for his likely pink slip.
- On the Diggs topic, Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the since-waived CB was not the only one to request to stay in Washington after the team’s Christmas game. Schottenheimer denied the other players’ requests as well, via the Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt, indicating such requests would only be granted for family emergencies. The Packers have since claimed Diggs, who made his debut with the team in Week 18.
- Giants ownership will be present for the upcoming coaching interviews, Joe Schoen confirmed (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy). John Mara is battling cancer, so it will be interesting to learn how involved he will be. Co-owner Steve Tisch is based in California and does not work in the building like Mara does.
- Brian Burns earned a nice pay bump based on a performance incentive. Burns collected a $1.8MM incentive for surpassing 12.5 sacks and earning a Pro Bowl nod, with Duggan adding the Giants edge rusher’s 2026 salary will increase by $1.8MM as a result. Burns, who finished with 16.5 sacks, is signed through the 2028 season.
- Von Miller also triggered an incentive, with the future Hall of Fame pass rusher’s ninth sack earning him an additional $1MM. Miller played on a contract that brought $6.1MM in base value plus incentives this season. He is interested in staying with the Commanders; the nine sacks were the 36-year-old’s most in a season since 2021.
- Tyler Biadasz is tied to a three-year, $30MM Commanders contract. The veteran center is entering a platform year in 2026, and The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala notes he is due a $1MM bonus on April 1. The former Cowboys starter, whom Jhabvala tabs an extension candidate, is tied to an $11MM cap hit for 2026.
Giants To Give Mike Kafka HC Interview
Interim head coaches have not enjoyed much success moving to full-time jobs. The only one to do so over the past nine offseasons — Antonio Pierce — was fired after his first full-time season. But teams regularly give their interims chances to interview.
That will be the case for the Giants, who are going to meet with Mike Kafka about their full-time HC post. Kakfa confirmed (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy) he will meet about the job. This had been expected, as Kafka was mentioned — along with Pierce — as being among Big Blue’s early candidates.
[RELATED: Giants To Retain GM Joe Schoen]
A collapse in Denver keyed a nine-game losing streak for New York. Brian Daboll received his walking papers midway through that skid, but Kafka lost his first five games as Giants interim HC. While he won the final two, both victories came over unmotivated teams. The Raiders deactivated Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby and others, showing a clear interest in landing the No. 1 overall pick. The Giants snapped their skid in Las Vegas and then toppled the Cowboys, who benched Dak Prescott midway through the game.
This gave the Giants a 4-13 record, dropping them from the first pick to No. 5 overall over the past two weeks. Kafka yoyoed as the Giants’ play-caller during his four seasons as OC. Daboll gave Kafka the call sheet in 2022, allowing the former Chiefs assistant to call the signals in 2023 as well. After Daboll took the reins himself in 2024, Kafka was back at the controls to start this season. The Giants finished a respectable — all things considered — 17th in scoring offense and 13th in yardage despite starting three QBs (Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston).
Kafka is no stranger to the HC interview process. He met with the Bears and Saints last year, taking two New Orleans meetings. He met with the Seahawks and Titans in 2024 and spoke with the Cardinals, Colts, Panthers and Texans in 2023.
It remains highly unlikely Kafka will receive the call to replace Daboll. The Giants went down this road before by appointing Ben McAdoo to succeed Tom Coughlin, and while Kafka staying would ensure Dart does not have to learn a second offense in two years, the Giants will probably follow the trend of passing over interim leaders to hire a more coveted candidate.
Giants To Retain GM Joe Schoen
The Giants are among the teams with a head coaching vacancy. They will not be hiring a new general manager this winter, though.
Joe Schoen has been informed he will remain in place for 2026, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports. That news comes as little surprise given recent reporting on where this situation stood. Schoen has been in place since 2022, having been hired alongside Brian Daboll that year. Daboll was fired midway through the campaign, but that has not led to a complete housecleaning.
As part of their statement announcing Schoen will remain in his post, the Giants said, “Continuity and stability in the front office is important to our progress.”
The Giants’ desire for front office stability will lead to a fifth season for Schoen, who will be in position to hire his second head coach. Schoen chose Daboll after the two formed a rapport working together in Buffalo. They initially fared well in New York, which finished 9-7-1 and earned a playoff berth in 2022. Daboll won Coach of the Year honors for his effort, but things spiraled from there. The Giants posted a combined 4-13 mark under Daboll and interim head coach Mike Kafka in 2025, their third straight year of missing the postseason. They’ve gone a dismal 13-38 since 2023.
Although the Schoen-led Giants have struggled mightily for most of his tenure, their head coaching vacancy is considered attractive based on some of the talent he has acquired. That includes Schoen draft picks in quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabers, pass rushersKayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, and running back Cam Skattebo, among others.
Indeed, in their statement, the Giants noted, “We believe in our young core of talent, which we can build around for future success.”
In order for the Giants to get maximum value out of that “young core of talent,” Schoen can’t miss on another head coaching pick. Schoen, who’s leading the search, has already put together the list of candidates he’d like to interview, Connor Hughes of SNY reports. The 46-year-old said weeks ago that he didn’t expect his presence to scare away any potential hires. Fortunately for the Giants, they’ve received “positive feedback” from HC candidates over the decision to keep Schoen, per Josina Anderson of The Exhibit.
While the Giants haven’t formally requested any interviews yet, several names have come up in the rumor mill since Daboll’s firing in early November. Kafka, who went 2-5 in an interim role, may get a look, but Daboll’s full-time successor seems more likely to come from outside the organization.
Former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, ex-Raiders HC and onetime Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb are among potential candidates who have emerged in recent days. Those are just a few possibilities, though, and Schoen is sure to discuss the position with several coaches as he attempts to turn around the franchise.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
With the AFC North now settled (in rather dramatic fashion), the 2025 regular season is in the books. Following their decisions to shelve Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby, the Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick. After entering Week 17 in that slot, the Giants — as they did in 2024 — slipped out of the top two thanks to a late-season win.
Big Blue’s victories over the Raiders and Cowboys dropped them to No. 5, with today’s win allowing the Jets, Cardinals and Titans to leapfrog them. The Giants, who fell out of the No. 1 spot last year thanks to a Drew Lock-led win over the Colts in Week 17, will still hold a top-five pick — just not the one most expected two weeks ago. The Jets saw the Colts’ collapse, which dropped them from 8-2 to 8-9, give them two picks in the top 16.
The Cardinals started 2-0 but managed to close the season with 14 losses over their final 15 games. This will give Arizona a top-four pick for the third time in the Monti Ossenfort era. The GM traded out of that slot in 2023 before drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024; Ossenfort is expected to be retained for a fourth season, providing another opportunity. This will be the third straight year the Titans will hold a top-seven pick.
The Buccaneers beat the Panthers on Saturday, but thanks to a three-way NFC South tie, Tampa Bay’s draft slot will land out of the playoff positions for the first time since 2020. Because Atlanta defeated New Orleans today, Carolina’s first-round pick will slide into the bottom 14 despite its 8-9 finish — one that secured playoff entry for the first time since 2017.
Although the draft order is not fully set due to the upcoming playoffs, the first 18 picks are. Here is how the order looks after Week 18:
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- New York Jets (3-14)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- New York Giants (4-13)
- Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Washington Commanders (5-12)
- New Orleans Saints (6-11)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
- Miami Dolphins (7-10)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Detroit Lions (9-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Carolina Panthers (8-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- Chicago Bears (11-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Houston Texans (12-5)
- Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
- Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
- New England Patriots (14-3)
- Denver Broncos (14-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
Giants Planning To Stick With Joe Schoen; Joe Brady, Davis Webb On HC Radar
5:15pm: Stefanski looms as a strong candidate to be dismissed soon, and Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer names him (video link) as a coach to watch closely as the hiring cycle takes shape. Colleague Ralph Vacchiano agrees, and he predicts Stefanski will rise to the top of the Giants’ list of preferred hires if/when he hits the market. Meanwhile, a number of HC candidates have mentioned Stefanski in conversations with Scoop City‘s James Palmer knowing he will be an attractive option for multiple teams. It remains to be seen if the Giants will be one on that front, but that would come as little surprise.
9:33am: Joe Schoen has received praise for modernizing the Giants’ organization, but that has not translated to wins. The Giants will end this season with three or four wins; this follows a 3-14 campaign in which John Mara said his patience had nearly run out. Brian Daboll paid for the Giants’ struggles, but his former Bills coworker has not.
As it stands, Schoen is expected to stay on, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones noting his expectation of the embattled GM being given the chance to hire a second coach. One way the Giants could deviate from this planned course: a Trent Baalke-like situation forming.
Last year, the Jaguars had Baalke running their coaching search, keeping the struggling GM after firing Doug Pederson. Weeks into that search, it became clear candidates were expressing hesitancy working with Baalke. This affected the Jags’ pursuit of Ben Johnson, among others. When Liam Coen initially declined a second interview, Shad Khan pulled the plug and fired Baalke. That decision led Coen to Jacksonville. A coach not wanting to work with Schoen could change the Giants’ plans, SI.com’s Albert Breer offers.
Schoen has naturally said he does not anticipate his presence hurting the Giants’ search, but it will be interesting to see if that is the case. The Giants have been one of the NFL’s worst teams over the past nine seasons, qualifying for the playoffs once in that span. They have gone through four full-time HCs since ousting Tom Coughlin. Schoen has been on the job since 2022; the Giants are 12-38 since 2023.
That said, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson notes one expected HC candidate referred to this as the top available job due to the Giants’ rostering Jaxson Dart, some skill-position talent and a formidable defensive line. That D-line, it can be argued, did not play to its potential this season; Dart has also lacked both Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for most of the year. But those players’ presences stand to help New York’s sales pitches to candidates. Though, plenty of needs exist along this roster.
Mara is battling cancer, and Schoen staying on would give the Giants some stability during this search. Schoen’s 2022 playoff berth being rather fluky notwithstanding, it is clear he has support in the building. It would have to be expected Schoen’s seat would be scorching should he indeed have the chance to hire a second coach, but plenty of names are being connected to this search.
Mike McCarthy, Antonio Pierce, Lou Anarumo and, if he is indeed fired by the Browns, Kevin Stefanski, are among candidates expected to be considered to replace Daboll. The current Bills OC — Joe Brady — is also on the radar, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report.
Brady was not with the Bills when Schoen was in Buffalo, with the ex-Panthers OC arriving as QBs coach weeks after Schoen departed for the Big Apple. Considering the dearth of offense-oriented candidates in this year’s pool, Brady should have plenty of interview opportunities if he indeed wants to leave Buffalo. But the Giants firing a former Josh Allen whisperer only to hire another would be an odd move.
One outside-the-box candidate who could join the lot of aspirants: Davis Webb, per Rapoport and Pelissero. Webb has not yet reached the coordinator level, residing as the Broncos’ QBs coach, but he has an extensive past in New York as a backup/third-string option.
Webb only wrapped his playing career after the 2022 season, being hired on Sean Payton‘s staff. While the Broncos are highly unlikely to lose OC Joe Lombardi — who is not seen as a head coaching candidate — Webb could be poached for an OC position elsewhere. A jump from the position coaching level to HC is highly uncommon, but the Giants appear willing to at least consider the prospect. Webb is just 30.
Even in a league that saw Sean McVay coach the Rams at 31 and Josh McDaniels begin his Broncos HC tenure at 33, this age range is considered a bit young for the job. Webb, though, has seen his stock rise while in Denver. He already earned a prominent assistant job without any previous experience, and the Bills wanted him for their staff before his playing career ended. Webb turned that down to stay on as a Giants backup for one more season; that doubled as Schoen’s first with the team.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/3/26
After the final standard gameday practice squad elevations of the 2025 regular season, the three-game elevation limit resets for the postseason, so only players getting signed to the 53-man roster because of the limit will be noted today. Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tejhaun Palmer
- Elevated: CB Jaden Davis, WR Steven Sims
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Amani Oruwariye
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DE Matt Judon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Nikola Kalinic, LB Ty Summers
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Howard Cross III, CB Bralyn Lux
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Elevated: TE Sal Cannella
- Placed on IR: LB Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: RB Phil Mafah
- Activated from reserve/PUP: CB Josh Butler
- Signed from practice squad: LB Justin Barron
- Elevated: G Nick Leverett
- Placed on IR: G T.J. Bass, RB Malik Davis, RB Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Zach Horton, OL Chris Hubbard
- Placed on IR: OL Trystan Colon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jakobie Keeney-James, G Lecitus Smith
- Elevated: TE Drake Dabney, LB Jamon Johnson
- Placed on IR: OL Donovan Jennings, WR Savion Williams
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Leki Fotu, S Kaevon Merriweather
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: QB Seth Henigan, TE Sean McKeon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Patrick Herbert
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jimmy Holiday
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: LB Jamin Davis, T Dalton Wagner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: S Marcus Maye
- Elevated: G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei
- Placed on IR: CB Nikko Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Derrick McLendon, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR Jeshaun Jones, LB Sione Takitaki
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: TE Treyton Welch
- Elevated: QB Jake Haener, RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Dante Miller
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner, DT Casey Rogers
- Placed on IR: CB Cor’Dale Flott, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr., WR Wan’Dale Robinson
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: QB Hendon Hooker, DE Kingsley Jonathan, G Kohl Levao
- Elevated: RB Raheem Blackshear, CB Samuel Womack III
- Placed on IR: RB Isaiah Davis, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, TE Mason Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LS Charley Hughlett, S Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB D’Shawn Jamison
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: LB Eric Kendricks, T Brandon Parker
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers, CB Tyler Hall
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: OLB Ali Gaye, WR Bryce Oliver
- Signed from practice squad: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: TE Cole Turner
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (story), WR Van Jefferson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
The Browns made it known yesterday that they were shutting down Schwesinger and tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. for the final week of the season, but the Defensive Rookie of the Year-favorite is the only one to land on IR.
In Dallas, Williams failed to practice this week as he dealt with shoulder and neck issues. With Davis also being placed on IR, the Cowboys will rely on rookie fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue and the recently activated Mafah, a seventh-round rookie, in Week 18. The team used their eighth and final IR activation to bring Mafah back for a potential NFL debut.
Because Green Bay didn’t elevate recently signed practice squad quarterback Desmond Ridder, it appears either Malik Willis will be healthy enough to back up Clayton Tune or Jordan Love will serve as the potential QB2 for the Packers in Week 18.
Judon is set to make his Bills debut in the team’s regular season finale after signing to their practice squad two weeks ago.
With Saints backup quarterback Spencer Rattler not practicing this week with a finger injury, Haener gets the call to back up rookie Tyler Shough.
Hall in Tennessee had already been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation three times this season. In order for him to appear in the Titans’ regular season finale, the move to the 53-man roster was necessary.
NFL Staff Updates: Partridge, Bicknell, Bricillo
The Colts are set to lose defensive line coach Charlie Partridge after just his second season with the team. According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the 52-year-old assistant is heading back to the college ranks to coach the defensive line at Notre Dame.
Partridge’s stay in Indianapolis saw his NFL coaching debut after a long college coaching career. Starting as a graduate assistant at Drake for two years and following that up with two more years as a GA at Iowa State, Partridge spent two years as the Cyclones director of football operations before earning his first position coaching gig at Eastern Illinois, coaching defensive line and linebackers.
After a single season with Eastern Illinois, Partridge spent five years at Pitt (three as defensive ends coach, one as special teams coordinator/DL coach, one as ST coordinator/LB coach), five years at Wisconsin (three as ST coordinator/DL coach, two as assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/DL coach), and a year at Arkansas as assistant HC/DL coach. Those 12 years of position coaching gave Partridge his first shot at a head coaching gig at Florida Atlantic, but after going 3-9 three years in a row, Partridge returned to Pittsburgh, where he spent a season as DL coach before adding co-DC to his title for six more years.
Partridge’s NFL opportunity came next, and in Year 1, his defensive line was part of a unit that ranked 24th in run defense, 26th in sacks, and 24th in total pressures. This year was much improved (fifth in run defense, 14th in sacks, fourth in total pressures), but Partridge will head back to the college ranks of the game to reunite with Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Chris Ash, with whom he worked at Drake, Wisconsin, and Arkansas.
Here are a couple other assistant coaching updates from around the league:
- Rittenberg also reported today that recently fired Raiders senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell is also going to a coaching job in the NCAA. Unlike with Partridge, this seems like a temporary gig for Bicknell, who has only coached at the college level for one of the past 19 years. He started out coaching safeties then running backs then linebackers at Boston University from 1993-97. He then spent eight years as a coach in NFL Europe coaching defensive line in Frankfurt for a year before switching to offensive line and serving as offensive coordinator/OL coach in Berlin and Cologne. He returned to the States in 2006 to coach OL at Temple, and aside from spending 2017 as a wide receivers coach at Baylor, Bicknell has been in the NFL ever since, coaching offensive line, tight ends, and wide receivers at different points in time for the Chiefs, Bills, Eagles, 49ers, Bengals, and Patriots, with two stints as a senior offensive assistant with the Saints and Raiders, as well. He has been hired to coach tight ends at Northwestern, but if his history is any clue to his intentions, he may look to return to an NFL role after a year with the Wildcats.
- In New York, Giants fans will be happy to hear that offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo‘s contract extends into 2026, according to Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports. Following the firing of Brian Daboll, nothing is set in stone for the rest of this year’s coaching staff, but Dunleavy claims that Giants fans on X have been advocating for Bricillo to stay under the team’s next head coach. Bricillo has confirmed that his contract extends into next season, so he should remain on staff unless the team makes the decision to fire him.
Mike McCarthy, Antonio Pierce Among Giants’ HC Candidates
The Giants’ head-coaching search informally started immediately after firing Brian Daboll, but recent discussions have created an initial list of candidates to interview, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
Several coaches are already known to be on the Giants’ radar, including Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, and Browns HC Kevin Stefanski. Giants interm HC Mike Kafka is also expected to interview with the team after auditioning for the full-time job since Daboll’s removal.
Interview requests will be much stronger indications of the Giants’ interest. Their lengthy list of candidates is primarily focused on former head coaches and current coordinator, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
The formal interview process has technically already begun, as candidates not employed by an NFL team can interview right away. Former Packers and Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy and and former Raiders HC Antonio Pierce are on the Giants’ list. Pierce, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, played in New York for five seasons and earned a Pro Bowl nod and a Super Bowl ring in the process. That connection to the franchise – as with Jets HC Aaron Glenn – could give Pierce a leg up in the Giant’s hiring process, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
For coaches currently working for an NFL team, interview requests must wait until the regular season ends. The Giants’ interest seems to be focused on defensive coordinators, as Hafley (Packers), Vance Joseph (Broncos), Chris Shula (Rams), and Jesse Minter (Chargers) are all expected to receive interview requests. Hafley, a New Jersey native, in particular “seems to have some traction in New York,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Any coach for a non-playoff team can be interviewed as soon as Week 18 concludes. If the Broncos secure a first-round bye, Joseph (and any other coaches employed by a team with a bye) can only be virtually interviewed until the end of the wild card round. Coaches without a bye can be interviewed until the end of the divisional round. After the divisional round, teams can begin in-person interviews with coaches for teams eliminated by the playoffs.
Other coaches who have an “outside chance” to be interviewed by the Giants include Texans DC Matt Burke and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, per Raanan. Current head coaches that are fired at the end of the season, especially Stefanski, could also be considered by the Giants. They could also seek to follow the wave of hiring young offensive coordinators from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree such as Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown or Jaguars OC Grant Udinski.
Drafting First-Round QB Still On Table For Giants
DECEMBER 31: During his latest episode of Breaking Big Blue, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes no one around the NFL is operating with the belief Schoen is in danger of being fired. The team’s head coaching future remains unclear, but it increasingly appears as though no front office moves will be coming.
DECEMBER 28: At times this year, it seemed a low period for the Giants franchise was coming to an end and starting to head uphill as we saw early success with offensive rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. Some of those opinions have waned as the season has worn on, to the point that some see the Giants utilizing their first-round pick on a quarterback for the second draft in a row. 
After the Giants tried and failed to move up to No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to take Cam Ward, there was some speculation that they may attempt to trade back into the back of the first round for another quarterback option, perhaps Shedeur Sanders or Dart. The Saints had been tied to Dart, as well, but after he slipped by their No. 9 overall pick, all eyes were on New Orleans to trade back into the first round, as well. Ultimately, it was New York that pulled the trigger and landed Dart.
Expectations for Dart’s first season varied wildly. Some viewed a short leash for veteran starter Russell Wilson, while others thought Dart could hold a clipboard throughout his entire rookie campaign. After an 0-3 start to the season in which the Giants scored fewer than 10 points in two of those games, the team turned the offense over to the rookie, and Dart delivered, immediately, with a win over the playoff-bound Chargers.
The following week, Dart showed some vulnerabilities in a game that would give the Saints their first win of the season, but he rebounded with a big win over the division-rival Eagles in his third start. A playoff gauntlet that included trips to Denver, Philadelphia, and Chicago and a home matchup with the 49ers prevented any more wins from being added to Dart’s record, but the young passer continued to show strong abilities and impressive instincts in his first several starts under head coach Brian Daboll.
As Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York points out, though, Daboll’s firing led to some regression in Dart’s overall performance. After throwing 10 touchdowns to just three interceptions and rushing for seven more scores in his first seven starts, Dart has only thrown three touchdowns to two interceptions while staying scoreless on the ground up until today’s win over the lowly Raiders. Post-Daboll, the team’s designed usage of Dart was altered in a way that perhaps now lends some justifiability to looking into a new passer next year.
To that end, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that, before making any concrete plans for the future, the Giants will be fully evaluating Heisman-winner and projected QB1 of the 2026 NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza. While not boasting talent that commands surefire No. 1 overall status à la Joe Burrow or Trevor Lawrence, the Indiana-product (by way of Cal) has been billed lately as the top passing prospect in the coming draft. With the finalized holders of the top two picks in the draft both being quarterback-needy teams, there’s a high likelihood that Mendoza could be selected with one of those two picks.
If the team does decide to draft a new quarterback, the expectation is that they would try to trade Dart to another team searching for an answer at the position. Dart’s early promise and strong attributes could make him a strong option for many teams lacking at the position, but if the Giants grade Mendoza highly and like him more than they currently like Dart, the rookie’s concussion history and reckless play style could make him an expendable asset in the eyes of the team.
Part of these decisions will come down to the staffers making them, and while general manager Joe Schoen has been expected to be retained in New York, his position is hardly secure. In fact, while Rapoport didn’t speak to this point in his segment linked above, the banner showing as he discussed the Giants reported that Schoen was “likely to remain with (the) team for (the) draft.” It’s hard to believe New York would allow Schoen to have input on something as impactful as the team’s 2026 first-round pick — or their next head coach — if they didn’t expect to retain him past that, but NFL Network’s wording seems ominous, nonetheless.
We’re still months away from any solid answers on what the future will bring for the Giants. Next week could determine if they have the No. 1 overall pick. Several stages of the pre-draft process could determine if Mendoza will be the likely draft choice. Who the team drafts could easily determine the futures of both Dart and Schoen. Lots of variables remain up in the air for what is setting up to be a newsworthy offseason in New York.