Cardinals Request HC Interviews With Robert Saleh, Anthony Weaver
Jonathan Gannon was among the head coaches fired yesterday. That leaves the Cardinals as one of six teams in the market for a replacement.
A second target regarding potential hires has now emerged in Arizona’s case. The Cardinals have requested an interview with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. This comes shortly after Broncos DC Vance Joseph was named as a candidate expected to interview with Arizona. Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver has also received a slip from the Cardinals, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Saleh joins Joseph as a former NFL head coach whose first shot didn’t go well. After a previous run as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017-20, Saleh took over as the Jets’ head coach in 2021. He lasted three-plus seasons and finished 20-36 with no playoff appearances.
The Jets fired Saleh after a 2-3 start last year. It didn’t spark a turnaround for the Jets, who lost nine of 12 under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. That led to the end of the failed Aaron Rodgers era and the beginning of a new GM/HC regime with Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn grabbing the reins.
Saleh, who closed the 2024 season as an offensive consultant with the Packers, rejoined Kyle Shanahan‘s staff in San Francisco last January. Now one of the game’s highest-paid D-coordinators, Saleh will earn more head coaching looks after helping the 49ers overcome a slew of key injuries en route to a 12-5 season and a playoff spot. The 49ers have gone most of the season without their two best defenders, the injured Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. They ended the regular season just 20th in total defense as a result, but the 49ers ranked a much better 13th at keeping points off the board.
Currently in his first stint as a coordinator, Weaver’s defense in Miami finished a lackluster 22nd in yards and 24th in points in 2025. However, the unit was top 10 in both categories in his first year at the helm last season. The former Ravens and Texans defensive lineman earned head coaching interviews with the Bears and Saints a year ago, but those teams went in other directions.
While the Dolphins wrapped up a disappointing season on Sunday, the 45-year-old Weaver is again garnering outside consideration for a promotion. Along with the Cardinals, the HC-needy Falcons have requested a meeting with Weaver.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Giants Request HC Interview With Lou Anarumo
Since Brian Daboll‘s firing, many have pointed to Lou Anarumo as potential replacement. The latter will indeed receive a look from the Giants. 
Anarumo has received a head coaching interview request from New York, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The Giants have thus joined the Titans in attempting to line up a meeting with Anarumo. His Tennessee interview will take place tomorrow.
Not long after Daboll was dismissed, Anarumo was named as a candidate for the Giants. The Staten Island native has previously worked with the team. Anarumo served as the Giants’ defensive backs coach in 2018. His one-year stint in that role was followed by his Bengals hire as defensive coordinator.
Anarumo led Cincinnati’s defense for six years until being fired following the 2024 campaign. In short order, the 59-year-old landed another DC gig by joining the Colts. Indianapolis finished just 23rd in total defense and 21st in points allowed this season, but the team was hit hard by injuries throughout the campaign. Anarumo’s stock has not suffered, as evidenced by the fact he is already a target of multiple teams seeking a new head coach.
The Giants promoted offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to interim HC after Daboll was fired. Kafka will interview for the full-time position, although it is rare situations such as his result in a hire on that front. New York has been named on multiple occasions as a feasible landing spot for Kevin Stefanski, who was fired by the Browns yesterday. The Giants are among the teams he is expected to interview with.
Earlier today, New York also emerged as a potential suitor for Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Like Stefanski, Joseph has been a head coach in the NFL. Anarumo, by contrast, has never led a coaching staff at the pro or college levels. He could very well get the opportunity to do so in 2026, however, depending in part on how he interviews with the Giants.
Matt Ryan Hoping To Retain TV Duties Despite Falcons Gig?
JANUARY 6: Although Brady has the FOX/Raiders overlap, Ryan does not appear to be under the impression he would have the opportunity to keep going at CBS and play a lead role in Falcons decision-making. As it turns out, Pelissero indicates Ryan would only work for the Falcons if he indeed becomes their football ops president.
This is an interesting about-face, and it is worth wondering if Ryan floated the prospect of doing both jobs. But the Atlanta resident looks to be committed to working with the Falcons. This would open an NFL Today slot for the 2026 season.
JANUARY 5: The Falcons appear set to hire former quarterback Matt Ryan as their new president of football operations. If the former MVP has his way, he’ll continue his TV gig.
[RELATED: Falcons Expected To Hire Matt Ryan As President Of Football Operations]
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t Awful Announcing), Ryan is “hoping to retain his duties at CBS.” Ryan joined the network as an analyst for the 2023 season, and he’s been apart of The NFL Today pregame show since 2024.
Naturally, this arrangement would present some potential conflicts of interest. However, the NFL has already set a precedent in regards to executives working for media partners. Despite being a partial owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tom Brady has continued to serve as the lead color commentator for the NFL on Fox.
A recent report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic indicated that Brady was only at the team facility “a handful of times this season.” While Brady was still heavily involved in the Raiders’ daily operations, there’s also a clear distinction between a minority owner and the leader of football operations. While Brady was allowed to juggle both responsibilities, it’s uncertain if the same flexibility will be afforded to Ryan, both from the NFL and from Falcons ownership.
Of course, Ryan’s television duties shouldn’t distract from his initial tasks as Atlanta’s president of football operations. The former quarterback will be responsible for spearheading the organization’s search for a new head coach and general manager. Once those hires have been made, Ryan will presumably also have major influence over the team’s roster. This duty would surely extend into the 2026 regular season.
Mike McCoy To Interview For Titans’ HC Job; Team Not Planning Dennard Wilson Meeting
As we’ve attempted to cover in this space for a while, interim coaches face a steep battle toward actually landing the full-time job. Antonio Pierce is the only interim leader over the past nine offseasons to be elevated to full-time status, and the Raiders fired him a year later.
The Titans were the first team to fire a coach this season, beating the Giants to the punch. They turned to Mike McCoy as their interim boss. The two-time NFL HC will have a chance to interview for the full-time position, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky.
McCoy, 53, went 2-9 as the interim coach this season. This came after his four-year Chargers HC run produced a 27-37 mark and one playoff berth. The Titans finished 30th in scoring offense and 31st in yardage. Although Cam Ward showed flashes down the stretch, the No. 1 overall pick finished his rookie season with an NFL-low QBR number.
Tennessee hired McCoy last year, bringing him aboard as a senior offensive assistant under Brian Callahan. Interim leaders were hired at a greater rate in previous NFL periods; the Titans are an example of a team that has shown great interest in such continuity. The team elevated Mike Mularkey from interim leader to full-time HC in 2015. As the Oilers, the franchise removed Jeff Fisher‘s interim tag in 1995. Jerry Glanville started as an Oilers interim HC before being elevated to full-time status in 1986. That said, McCoy is highly unlikely to land this job.
McCoy, however, will at least have the opportunity to interview. DC Dennard Wilson is believed to have pushed for an interview, Kuharsky adds, but the team will not provide that chance. ST coordinator John Fassel is pushing for an interview as well, per Kuharsky. Callahan hired Wilson in 2024, after he had lost out on the Eagles’ DC job, and brought in Fassel in 2025. The Titans ranked 28th in points allowed this season, finishing 21st in total defense. Wilson did have the NFL’s No. 2 total defense in 2024, but his unit ranked 30th in scoring.
Several established candidates are on Tennessee’s docket, however. Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Rams DC Chris Shula, 49ers DC Robert Saleh and Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile are among others who are expected to interview, per Kuharsky. Here is how their Mike Borgonzi-led search process looks as of Tuesday afternoon:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): To interview 1/7
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): To interview
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Mike McCoy, interim head coach (Titans): To interview
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview 1/11
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): To interview 1/10
Bears Designate CB Kyler Gordon, LT Braxton Jones For Return
The Bears could have a pair of reinforcements in time for their playoff opener. Cornerback Kyler Gordon and left tackle Braxton Jones have been designated for return from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
The move opens both players’ practice windows. Gordon and Jones can now be activated at any time within the next 21 days. Managing to do so in either case prior to Saturday’s matchup against the Packers in the wild-card round would of course be welcomed by Chicago.
Gordon has managed to play just three games so far this season. A groin injury led to his second IR stint of the year in December. No return in time for the end of the regular season was possible in his case, but the Bears have remained optimistic Gordon would be able to see time in the playoffs. Depending on how the next few days go, that could come to fruition.
Chicago has dealt with a number of injuries this season, and the defense in particular has been hit hard. Getting Gordon back in the fold against Green Bay’s passing attack and a healthy Jordan Love could prove to be critical if he is activated in time. The 26-year-old inked a $40MM extension this past offseason, and he is slated to operate as a key figure in the secondary for the foreseeable future.
Jones, by contrast, is a pending free agent. The former fifth-rounder has been on IR since October. His placement on injured reserve came not long after being benched for the first time in his career. Jones operated as a full-time starter during his first three seasons with Chicago, a team which has looked into numerous options on the blindside in 2025. Second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo has handled left tackle duties for several weeks, and that should continue into the playoffs.
If he is activated, Jones will at least offer the Bears with depth on the blindside. His status, along with Gordon’s, will be worth monitoring over the next few days.
Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt Pleads Guilty To Reckless Driving
Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt entered a guilty plea to charges of reckless driving and driving without a license on Tuesday, as detailed by Cameron Knight and Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. 
The plea led to Taylor-Britt being immediately sentenced in Hamilton County Municipal Court. He is set to spend five days in jail as a result. Separate charges of drag racing and failing to obey roadway signs were dropped by prosecutors as part of the plea agreement.
Taylor-Britt was issued tickets on two separate occasions in 2025. The first was in June when police stated he drove recklessly on Fourth Street in downtown Cincinnati. Five occupants were inside the Dodge Charger Taylor-Britt was driving at the time.
The second incident stemmed from an incident involving Tayl0r-Britt driving a Jeep Cherokee on Joe Nuxhall Way. Tickets were issued in September for driving with a restricted license in addition to the charges which ultimately would up being dropped. The 26-year-old was admitted to the Hamilton County Justice Center late Tuesday morning. No comment has been made as of yet by his representation or the Bengals.
A second-round pick of Cincinnati in 2022, Taylor-Britt has made 47 appearances and 40 starts over the course of his career. The Nebraska product is set to see his rookie contract expire this spring in advance of his first trip to free agency. Taylor-Britt totaled seven interceptions and 27 pass deflections between the 2023 and ’24 seasons, but this year did not go according to plan. A Lisfranc injury resulted in season-ending surgery, limiting him to just eight games.
The injury and today’s legal developments will no doubt hinder Taylor-Britt’s market value. As the Enquirer piece notes, he is not expected to re-sign with the Bengals this offseason.
Titans Expect Will Levis To Be On 2026 Roster; Latest On Chig Okonkwo, Arden Key
Will Levis spent this season on IR, being shifted to the injured list after suffering a shoulder injury in July. Prior to that, the 2023 second-round pick loomed as a player chosen under a previous GM that brought a curious fit behind No. 1 overall draftee Cam Ward.
A report last month indicated Levis would likely be traded this offseason, but second-year GM Mike Borgonzi voiced an expectation Tuesday (via TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick) that the struggling quarterback would have a role on the 2026 Titans. One year remains on Levis’ rookie contract.
Ran Carthon selected Levis during the first of his two drafts. While current football ops president Chad Brinker was with the Titans when they made that pick, Borgonzi — who arrived in 2025 — is now controlling the 53-man roster. Levis’ injury last year gave Brandon Allen a smooth ride to the QB2 role; Levis’ first two seasons were anything but smooth.
After showing some promise as a rookie, the Kentucky product did not take a step forward in 2024. Brian Callahan expressed frustration with the erratic passer and benched him at points, giving then-backup Mason Rudolph chances. Levis finished last in QBR by a wide margin in 2024, throwing 13 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and averaging 6.9 yards per attempt.
While Levis did improve on his completion percentage from his rookie year (upping it to 63.1), the Titans effectively moved on after landing the No. 1 pick in a draft that saw teams only pine for one quarterback. Ward was drafted 24 spots before any other QB last year, and he is now the Titans’ centerpiece player.
After trade rumors followed Levis leading up to the draft, he did split first-team reps with Ward during the Titans’ offseason program. The older passer would not have been a realistic challenger for the job in training camp, though it is worth wondering if he would have received more first-team work had the injury not occurred. Allen is not signed for 2026, keeping the backup job open. The Texans have used ex-starter Davis Mills as their backup for a highly drafted QB (C.J. Stroud); the Tennessee rival extended Mills last year. Levis could conceivably settle into a Mills role, though he will need to prove he can stay healthy and assimilate into the to-be-determined HC/OC’s system.
One of Levis’ former targets, Chig Okonkwo was drafted two GMs ago. Chosen in Jon Robinson‘s final draft, the Titans’ tight end starter is unsigned for 2026. Despite the team’s struggles during his rookie contract, Okonkwo said he wants to re-sign.
“I definitely want to be a part of the core and watch this place grow from where we’re at now into a winning organization,” Okonkwo said, via McCormick. “I definitely want to be a part of that. I believe in that. I believe in the vision. I believe in Cam and the things that are going on, so I definitely think it would be a great place to be for me.”
On a team that has seen a host of injury troubles in recent years, Okonkwo has been incredibly durable. The former fourth-round pick has never missed a game. He has made 42 starts in four seasons. This campaign brought a career-high 560 receiving yards, marking his second 500-yard slate.
Okonkwo stands to do fairly well as a free agent, but the upcoming tight end class is rather crowded. While older cogs like Travis Kelce (should he return), Dallas Goedert and David Njoku are unsigned, second-contract-seeking TEs Kyle Pitts and Cade Otton are poised to be available.
Additionally, Arden Key said he would like to stay in Nashville. The veteran edge rusher noted (via ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport) a belief mutual interest in a re-signing exists. Key played out a three-year, $21MM deal. Arriving as a Harold Landry sidekick, Key outlasted the former Titans staple in Tennessee. The nomadic outside linebacker was mentioned in trade rumors but ultimately retained, finishing the season with four sacks in 12 games. Key (30 in May) combined for 12.5 sacks during two prior seasons as a Landry wingman, however.
Commanders Fire DC Joe Whitt
The Commanders will have a pair of new coordinators in 2026. The team has parted ways with OC Kliff Kingsbury, but DC Joe Whitt is also on the way out. 
Whitt has been fired, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The move comes as little surprise on that front, given the way things played out in 2025 on defense for the Commanders. Head coach Dan Quinn remains in place, but he will have at least two new assistants to hire over the coming weeks.
In 2024, Whitt contemplated staying with the Cowboys but ultimately followed Quinn from Dallas to the nation’s capital. That decision included play-calling duties for their first season together in Washington. In the midst of the team’s struggles on that front in 2025, however, Quinn stripped Whitt of those responsibilities. The expectation of a coordinator change has grown since then.
Indeed, a report from late December indicated Whitt was likely to be on the way out following the campaign. That has no proven to be the case. Quinn and the Commanders will now seek out a new play-caller on offense. Whether or not he retains that role on defense will likely depend on who winds up serving as Whitt’s replacement.
The Commanders posted middling numbers in both scoring and total defense in 2024. The team’s surprise run to the NFC title game was fueled in large part unexpected success on offense during Jayden Daniels‘ rookie season. While the second-year quarterback and other key offensive figures battled injuries this season, Washington’s defense was unable to compensate. The unit finished dead last in yards allowed and 27th in scoring.
Given that poor showing, it will be interesting to see if Whitt receives interest on the coordinator market. The 47-year-old has been coaching in the NFL since 2007, holding a number of roles during spells with the Falcons, Packers, Browns and Cowboys prior to his Commanders hire. Whitt has extensive experience coaching defensive backs and as a defensive pass-game coordinator, and another opportunity on that front could await him this offseason.
Earlier today, the Cowboys made the expected move of dismissing Matt Eberflus. The Whitt firing has added further to the list of D-coordinator openings around the league. More will no doubt emerge over the coming days. In any event, the Commanders will be busy during the 2026 hiring cycle as it pertains to restocking Quinn’s coaching staff.
Falcons Expected To Hire Matt Ryan As President Of Football Operations
JANUARY 6: Ryan will interview Thursday or Friday of this week, per Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport. A hire shortly thereafter would come as no surprise.
JANUARY 5: It was recently learned the Falcons have been in talks with Matt Ryan about a prominent front office role. A hire is not yet official, but further details have emerged regarding the expected reunion between the two. 
Atlanta is in the process of a notable restructuring. That will include a new head coach and general manager after last night’s firing of Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot. Other moves have been made as well, though. Longtime CEO Rich McKay has continued expanding his role into other areas of the Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment organization, and today marks a key point in a five-year succession plan for his replacement.
[RELATED: Ryan Aiming To Work For Both Falcons, CBS]
Greg Beadles has been promoted from president to president and CEO of the Falcons, Blank notes in an open letter to fans. This position primarily affects the business side of the operation, but Beadles will also play a role in implementing the wider restructuring process in the organization. That includes the pending hire of a president of football operations.
The Falcons will soon begin the interview process on that front. Before it begins, though, it is widely expected Ryan will be hired. As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes, the former MVP quarterback has already done “homework” on a number of head coach and general manager candidates. The process of finding replacements for Morris and Fontenot, to no surprise, will not begin until the president of football ops is officially in place.
Atlanta must comply with the Rooney Rule before making a hire on that front. Once that takes place, Pelissero cautions teams may be leery about allowing their executives to interview for the GM gig knowing that position will not be the highest ranking one in the front office. The list of targets from the Falcons’ perspective will thus be interesting to see over the coming weeks.
Ryan, 40, spent all but the final year of his playing career with Atlanta. Not long after a single campaign with the Colts, he retired and transitioned to broadcasting. Another notable career move now appears to be imminent, and it will send him to a familiar organization.
Panthers Activate WR David Moore, Waive WR Hunter Renfrow
The Panthers have made a few roster moves in advance of their upcoming playoff game. Wide receiver David Moore has been activated from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
Moore’s practice window was set to expire tomorrow, so Carolina had to activate him to prevent him from reverting to season-ending IR. The veteran has been sidelined since suffering an elbow injury in Week 4. His return in time for the wild-card round will provide depth on offense as well as a special teams presence.
A pair of players have been waived in corresponding moves. That includes fellow wideout Hunter Renfrow, who saw early playing time during his return to NFL action. The former Pro Bowler was sidelined by ulcerative colitis in 2024 but managed to play in the Panthers’ first six games this season. Renfrow recorded a pair of touchdowns on 15 receptions but has not played since October.
Second-year safety Demani Richardson has also been waived. The former undrafted free agent has made 27 appearances and six starts in his career, each of which have come with the Panthers. As Joe Person of The Athletic notes, Richardson is a candidate to be retained via the practice squad provided he clears waivers.
Today’s move leaves the Panthers with five IR activations. The team has one open roster spot, and it could be used on guard Robert Hunt (who returned to practice two weeks ago) provided he is activated within the coming days.