Saints To Place Kenny Vaccaro On IR
Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro will be placed on the injured reserve list, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Vaccaro has been playing on an adductor completely torn off the bone as well as an injured wrist and he’ll need surgery to repair both. 
[RELATED: Saints Sign CB Sterling Moore To Replace Vaccaro]
At 10-4, the Saints are likely headed to the postseason, but they’ll have to forge ahead without the services of their starting strong safety. The advanced numbers aren’t presently fond of Vaccaro (he rates as Pro Football Focus’ worst safety out of any qualified player this year), but he is a valuable five-year veteran of the defense. It’s another tough blow to a Saints team that just placed middle linebacker A.J. Klein on injured reserve a few days ago.
Clearly, Vaccaro has been at less than 100% throughout the year. Although Vaccaro has started in all 12 of his games this year, the team has had to take him off the field for large chunks of time. The 27-year-old (28 on New Year’s Day) has tried to tough it out, but the maladies have finally caught up with him.
Last year, Vaccaro ranked an above-average 38th in performance among PFF’s 90 qualified safeties. He’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in March.
NFL Recommends Coaching Candidates
Each year, the NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel releases a list of candidates for head coaching jobs. According to Mike Lombardi of The Ringer (Twitter link), that list includes: 
- Dan Campbell (Assistant Head Coach/TE coach, Saints)
- Jim Bob Cooter (Offensive Coordinator, Lions)
- John DeFilippo (Quarterbacks Coach, Eagles)
- George Edwards (Defensive Coordinator, Vikings)
- Josh McDaniels (Offensive Coordinator, Patriots)
- Matt Nagy (Offensive Coordinator, Chiefs)
- Matt Patricia (Defensive Coordinator, Patriots)
- Jim Schwartz (Defensive Coordinator, Eagles)
- Pat Shurmur (Offensive Coordinator, Vikings)
- Dave Toub (Special Teams Coach, Chiefs)
- Steve Wilks (Defensive Coordinator, Panthers)
- Mike Vrabel (Defensive Coordinator, Texans)
McDaniels, of course, comes with previous head coaching experience. He was probably too young to handle those responsibilities in Denver, but he has reasserted himself as an offensive wunderkind. Both McDaniels and Patricia will be hot candidates for head coaching jobs this year, so the Patriots may have to make serious changes on the coaching staff.
There is some overlap with the list of minority candidates recommended by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, though Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Titans offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie did not make the cut on this list. Austin received head coaching interviews in each of the last two offseasons, so he seems likely to garner some consideration this time around.
Rams To Place Greg Zuerlein On IR
The Rams endured a surprising setback Wednesday that will affect their top-flight special teams units. Greg Zuerlein will go on IR because of a back injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
He cannot return this season once placed on IR. Zuerlein’s back flared up during the Rams’ road win in Seattle, Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News tweets.
The Rams will replace their kicker by signing Sam Ficken, Schefter reports. The former Penn State kicker has not attempted an NFL kick.
Zuerlein was just voted to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday night. He leads the league with 38 made field goals and has missed just two attempts. The sixth-year kicker, and one half of the Rams’ Pro Bowl specialist duo along with punter Johnny Hekker, has also made 44 of his 46 extra point tries.
A sixth-round pick out of Missouri Western in 2012, the strong-legged kicker has missed just two games in his career. Zuerlein missed two contests for the 2015 Rams. He’s enjoyed his best season this year.
The six 50-plus-yard field goal makes — including a season-long of 56 — are the second-most of his career. He of two 58-yard field goals in college and two 60-yard makes in the NFL, the 29-year-old Zuerlein provided the suddenly explosive Los Angeles offense with a safety net once it ventured into field goal range.
Ficken went to camp with the Chiefs this summer and the Jaguars in 2016, being cut after both summers. He worked out for the Chargers earlier this season and will now be one of the more important kickers in the league, with the Rams having authored one of the better turnaround seasons in NFL history. As of now, Ficken — who has not kicked in a game since suiting up with the 2014 Nittany Lions — will be called upon come playoff time.
Giants Interview Dave Gettleman For GM Job
The Giants interviewed Dave Gettleman for their GM vacancy on Wednesday. He is the second person to sit for a formal interview with team brass, following VP of player evaluation Marc Ross. 
The former Panthers GM has been connected to the position ever since Jerry Reese was fired in early December. It has been widely reported that he is the frontrunner for the position, though he is in competition with Ross, interim GM Kevin Abrams, and likely several other experiences executives.
There’s a lot of work to be done in New York, but Gettleman has experience with turning around a franchise that is behind the 8-ball. When Gettleman took over in Carolina, the Panthers were in a horrendous salary cap situation. He fixed things in short order as the Panthers made the postseason in each of his first three years in Carolina, including a Super Bowl appearance. The Panthers went 6-10 in his final year at the helm, but they’re riding high once again this season with the roster that he constructed.
Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi is serving as a consultant in the team’s search and he has a longstanding relationship with Gettleman. In 2013, Accorsi helped to steer Gettleman into the Panthers GM seat.
According to a press release put out by the team, Gettleman interviewed with Accorsi, team president John Mara, and chairman Steve Tisch. If history is any indication, it might not take long for the Accorsi-led search to wrap up. The 76-year-old consulted with the Panthers (2013), Bears (2015), and Lions (2016) and each team made their hire roughly one week after the regular season ended.
Gettleman’s own ties to the Giants organization should also give him an advantage. He served as an assistant to then-pro personnel director Tim Rooney in 1998, which was Accorsi’s first season as GM. He was promoted to pro personnel director in 1999 upon Rooney’s retirement and remained in the position for 13 years.
Mutual Interest Between Jets, Sheldon Richardson
Earlier this year, the Jets shipped Sheldon Richardson to the Seahawks in a trade that netted them a second-round pick. With Richardson set to reach the open market in March, the Jets are hoping to bring him back, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News hears. The interest is mutual as Richardson would also like to return to New York. 
The Jets are expected to part ways with Muhammad Wilkerson this offseason and reconnecting with Richardson would give them an instant replacement. The Jets bet heavy on Wilkerson with his expensive five-year extension, but he has been tardy to meetings all season long and his production has sagged dramatically. The Jets figured that Wilkerson was the more stable of the two defensive linemen given Richardson’s off-the-field problems, but it sounds like they’re hoping to turn back the clock and reverse their decision.
Richardson hasn’t set the world on fire in Seattle either, but he has still done more on the field than Wilkerson this year. He has 37 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass break-up, and one interception – numbers that show he still has a pulse, but nothing earth-shattering. That means the Jets could sign him to a relatively team-friendly deal with the hope that he can get back to his 2013/2014 form.
Packers Place Aaron Rodgers On IR
As expected, the Packers are placing quarterback Aaron Rodgers on injured reserve. With two games to go and zero chance of making the playoffs, there is no reason for Green Bay to jeopardize his long-term health. 
Rodgers was out for a big chunk of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. With an accelerated rehab program, the quarterback beat out the estimates of many medical professionals and managed to take the field this past weekend against the Panthers. Unfortunately, the 31-24 defeat ended any chance the Packers had at extending their season.
Rodgers is among the game’s best quarterbacks and one of its fiercest competitors. He may be displeased with the team’s decision, but it was the logical call for the Packers to make. Rodgers now has a head start on making a full recovery in advance of next season. The team also removed any possibility that he could aggravate the injury in this season’s final games.
Rodgers’ season ends after just seven games played. Even in that small sample size, Rodgers played like a top quarterback with a 64.7% completion percentage and 16 TDs against six interceptions. With two weeks to go in the regular season, Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the league’s ninth-best QB, ahead of Alex Smith, Philip Rivers, Kirk Cousins, and several other notable names. Remarkably, his solid 84.4 overall score is his worst showing since taking over as the Packers’ full-time signal caller in 2008.
This marks the first time that the Packers have missed the playoffs since the 2008 season.
Jeff Fisher Eyeing Browns, Colts, Bears?
Are you ready for the return of Jeff Fisher? The former Titans and Rams head coach is looking to get back in the NFL and it sounds like he has his eye on a trio of potential openings. Fisher sees himself as a fit for the Browns, Colts, and Bears, should those jobs become available, according to Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Jeff Fisher Has Begun Contacting Coaching Staff Candidates]
Despite 22 years of head coaching experience, Fisher would not be a particularly sexy hire for any NFL team. He’s had five 8-8 seasons and four 7-9 seasons (plus one 7-8-1 campaign) as head coach, a stat that seemingly overshadows his successful playoff teams in Tennessee.
Fisher’s second act with the Rams did not go as planned, but he remains extremely well connected in league circles and it would not be surprising to see him at least land an interview or two. Depending on how things go from there, Fisher could be running things on the sidelines once again.
In his nearly five year run with the Rams, Fisher went 31-45-1 with no playoff appearances. He had better success with the Titans, though they reached the Super Bowl just once in his 17 years at the helm. Overall, Fisher owns a career 173-165-1 regular season record.
No one would be surprised if the Colts and Bears part ways with Chuck Pagano and John Fox, respectively. The Browns have pledged to bring Hue Jackson back for another season, but new GM John Dorsey has sidestepped questions about Jackson’s job security.
Dolphins Haven’t Ruled Out Keeping Jay Cutler
The Dolphins are committed to having Ryan Tannehill serve as their starter next year. However, they have not ruled out the possibility of retaining Jay Cutler as his backup, two sources with knowledge of the situation tell Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. 
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Cutler wants to return for another NFL season, whether its as a backup or a starter. Before Tannehill’s injury, Cutler had planned to serve as a color commentator for the NFL on FOX. The 34-year-old (35 in April) may want to pivot back to the broadcast booth, particularly if he’s being offered backup QB money that is roughly in line with what he’d make on TV. This year, the Dolphins paid him $10MM — significantly more than he was going to make as an analyst.
Jackson posits that Cutler would want a deal that matches or tops Nick Foles‘ two-year, $11MM pact with the Eagles if he were to serve as a backup. A salary of ~$6MM per year would be on the high side for a No. 2 QB and Matt Moore could instead be re-signed for significantly less.
Ultimately, Cutler’s performance in the final two games of the season weigh heavily on his future in Miami. He’s produced better work at times down the stretch than he did during a rough start, but the 12th-year passer’s still put together an inconsistent campaign. Cutler’s best game came in Week 14, when he threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns in a home upset of the Patriots. The Dolphins are 6-6 in his starts.
Cutler also has encountered injury trouble that could play a role in his decision to pursue a 13th season. He spent time in concussion protocol and suffered a rib injury. Both maladies induced one-game absences.
Jerry Richardson Cedes Control Of Panthers
The Panthers announced that owner Jerry Richardson will step away day-to-day management of the team. Executive Tina Becker has been named COO and will take over immediately. 
[RELATED: NFL Suspends Panthers LB Thomas Davis]
“These have been some of the most difficult days of my 19 years with the Panthers, but I am lifted up by the strong resolve and the commitment our employees have shown to this organization,” Becker said in a statement released by the Panthers. “Our team on the field is performing at a very high level, and I believe is bound for the Super Bowl. My immediate focus will be to ensure the corporate side of the organization performs at the same high level, while addressing the real concerns that have been raised in recent days.”
On Friday, we learned that the NFL is investigating Richardson for alleged workplace misconduct. It is alleged that Richardson made inappropriate sexual comments towards female Panthers employees and also aimed a racial slur at a black scout. There also may have been improper touching of female employees. Soon after the news broke, Richardson announced that he would be selling the franchise.
Richardson, 81, has been the only owner the Panthers have ever known in their 22-year history.
Marvin Lewis To Leave Bengals After 2017?
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is expected to leave the team after this season to “pursue opportunities elsewhere,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Following today’s loss to the Vikings, however, Lewis denied the report and stated he’s made no decisions about his future, per Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link).
Lewis is the second-longest-tenured head coach in the league, behind only Bill Belichick of the Patriots. He was a linebackers coach in the collegiate ranks and for the Steelers before becoming the defensive coordinator of the expansion Ravens in 1996. He rose to prominence as an architect of the record-setting 2000 Ravens defense that helped capture Super Bowl XXXV and then served as the defensive coordinator/assistant head coach for the Redskins in 2002. He was hired by Cincinnati in 2003, when the Bengals were a laughingstock, and he restored them to relevance. He has posted a 123-111-3 regular season record and has guided the Bengals to four division titles. Despite his successes, however, his head coaching resume is marred by his 0-7 career playoff record, which has hung over his head especially heavily in recent seasons.
Nonetheless, there is expected to be a plethora of head coaching jobs available this offseason (even more than usual), and Schefter reports that the 59-year-old Lewis would be on the short list for a number of those positions. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, though, tweets that Lewis plans to move to a front office role. Schefter does suggest that a front office or coaching adviser job is a possibility, but only if a head coaching job does not materialize.
As for the Bengals, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Lewis’ decision came as a surprise to the team. And, as most, if not all, of the team’s assistant coaches are also on expiring contracts — some of whom are unhappy with the way they have been treated financially — Schefter suggests that Cincinnati is likely to undergo a major coaching overhaul.
Nonetheless, Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network suggest that the Bengals could opt to replace Lewis with an internal candidate like current DC Paul Guenther or special teams coach Darrin Simmons (Twitter links). But Michael Lombardi of The Ringer tweets that the Bengals’ head coaching job is highly desirable, so the team will not be hurting for quality candidates.
The Bengals do not have a comment on the situation at the moment.