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Cardinals Interview Ron Rivera For HC

By | at January 27, 2026 5:08 pm

Three head coaching jobs remain vacant, and they have been unfilled since Black Monday. As the Ravens, Dolphins, Steelers and Bills made hires after post-Black Monday firings, the Browns, Cardinals and Raiders’ searches drag on. An unexpected name has emerged amid Arizona’s process.

Ron Rivera completed an interview for the Cardinals’ HC position, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports. The former Panthers and Commanders HC is currently serving as Cal’s GM. Rivera, 64, took the Cal position in 2025; he has not coached since the 2023 season. This hiring cycle has seen two coaches over 60 hired, with John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy landing jobs.

This is not Rivera’s first interview since being ousted in Washington. The Bears, Jets and Raiders met with him about their openings in 2025. Rivera has 13 years’ experience as an NFL head coach. The former Coach of the Year has a Super Bowl appearance on his resume, though the back half of his Panthers tenure and most of his Commanders years did not go especially well.

Rivera is 102-103-2 as an NFL HC. He guided the Panthers to four playoff berths in a five-year span, backing Cam Newton with a few stout defenses during that span. The Panthers stormed to Super Bowl 50 after a 15-1 season, but after losing to the underdog Broncos, the team did not approach those heights again. After making one playoff appearance from 2016-18, Rivera received his walking papers — by second-year owner David Tepper — during the 2019 season.

Receiving personnel control to help a Washington franchise find some stability late in Dan Snyder‘s tenure, Rivera did lead the then-Washington Football Team to the 2020 playoffs — albeit at 7-9. The team could not find a quarterback during Rivera’s tenure, missing on Carson Wentz and Sam Howell. Another new owner, Josh Harris, booted Rivera after the 2023 season. That ’23 campaign ended badly enough — with eight straight losses following the trades of Montez Sweat and Chase Young — it helped the Adam Peters-Dan Quinn regime land Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in 2024.

The Cardinals have already seen Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing land on their feet. The three-year coworkers will be coaching against each other in the NFC North, with Gannon now the Packers’ DC and Petzing the Lions’ OC. Arizona’s search passed the three-week mark Monday, and a few names are out of the process. Joe Brady, Anthony Campanile, Jeff Hafley, John Harbaugh, Jesse Minter and Robert Saleh landed elsewhere or, in Campanile’s case, bowed out of the search. Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is how the search stands as of Monday evening:

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Steelers To Interview Jake Simmons, Patrick Graham For DC Job

By | at January 27, 2026 4:54 pm

The Steelers have officially hired Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. Now, he will have to build his new coaching staff, starting with his coordinators.

Commanders pass game coordinator Jason Simmons and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are Pittsburgh’s first two candidates for their DC job, per Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show.

Simmons, 49, has multiple connections with the Steelers. The 1998 fifth-round pick spent the first three years of his playing career in Pittsburgh. After he retired, his first coaching job was under McCarthy in Green Bay. Simmons worked for the Packers for nine years, primarily coaching the secondary with a two-year stint as an assistant special teams coach. He then took on defensive pass game coordinator roles with the Panthers and Raiders before joining Dan Quinn’s staff in Washington.

Graham, 47, has been the Raiders’ defensive coordinator since 2022. He started his coaching career in college before landing his first NFL job with the Patriots. After seven years in New England, he spent two years as the Giants’ defensive line coach before joining the Packers in 2018, McCarthy’s last year in Green Bay. Since then, Graham has held defensive coordinator jobs with the Dolphins and Giants. He was then hired by former colleague and then-Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels

Hiring Simmons would continue the Steelers’ pattern of investing in players and coaches that have a history with Pittsburgh – the franchise or the city. Outgoing defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, for example, grew up 60 miles outside of Pittsburgh and played college football at Pitt. McCarthy grew up in the city, which appeared to be a factor in his hiring, and current starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is the son of legendary Steelers linebacker Joey Porter. That is not to say Simmons is not a worthy candidate; he quickly reformed the Commanders pass defense after arriving in Washington, though the unit regressed significantly this past season.

Graham brings no direct connections to the Steelers outside of his one year under McCarthy in Green Bay. In the last three years, the Raiders’ defense has been their stronger side of the ball by far with three middle-of-the-pack finishes in yards allowed. The offense, by contrast, has been a bottom-10 unit.

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Bills Expected To Pursue Broncos’ Jim Leonhard For Defensive Coordinator

By | at January 27, 2026 4:06 pm

Although the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after another disappointing postseason defeat, they didn’t venture outside the building for his replacement. The Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Tuesday, though it doesn’t appear he’s content to run it back with McDermott’s staff.

Bobby Babich has been the Bills’ defensive coordinator since 2024, but his job is now in serious jeopardy. Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard is expected to emerge as a leading candidate for the Bills’ D-coordinator role, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The Bills may become the fourth team this offseason to pursue Leonhard for that position.

Leonhard, 43, interviewed with the Cowboys and Jets earlier this month. The Cowboys have since hired Christian Parker, but the Jets’ gig is still available. Leonhard was also reportedly a finalist to become the Giants’ defensive coordinator before they hired Dennard Wilson.

An NFL defensive back from 2005-14, Leonhard spent a decent chunk of his career in Buffalo, where he played from 2005-07 and again in 2013. He went into coaching at his alma mater, Wisconsin, in 2016. Leonhard’s first (and only) experience as a defensive coordinator came with the Badgers from 2017-22. He also led the Badgers to a 4-3 record as an interim head coach in 2022, but he left after they hired Luke Fickell for the full-time post.

After Leonhard spent a year as a senior football analyst at Illinois, Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered him his first NFL coaching opportunity. Leonhard was the Broncos’ defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator in 2024, when cornerback Patrick Surtain II earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Broncos are now coming off a season in which they finished with the league’s seventh-ranked pass defense, earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC and advanced to the conference title game. Although the Broncos’ pass defense allowed just 86 yards to MVP candidate Drake Maye on a snowy Sunday, injured quarterback Bo Nix‘s absence proved too much to overcome in a 10-7 loss.

With Denver’s season over, Payton may soon have to replace Leonhard. If Leonhard returns to Buffalo as a coach, he’d grab the reins of a defense that ranked first against the pass, seventh in yards, 12th in scoring and 15th in takeaways in 2025. Those are solid to great numbers, but the Bills will need to repair a porous run defense and an unspectacular pass rush. Only four teams allowed more yards on the ground than the Bills, who finished a below-average 19th in sacks.

The Bills’ lack of pressure on Nix proved costly in a 33-30 loss to Denver in the divisional round. After failing to sack Nix in an elimination game, the Bills could turn to one of the Broncos’ coaches to lead their defense in 2026.

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Mike McCarthy Wants Aaron Rodgers Reunion, Will Call Offensive Plays

By | at January 27, 2026 3:37 pm

As soon as the Steelers decided on Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, talk about an Aaron Rodgers reunion began to swirl.

Rodgers signed with the Steelers largely due to Mike Tomlin, so the longtime coach’s resignation seemed to signal the end of the veteran quarterback’s time in Pittsburgh. Hiring McCarthy, who coached Rodgers for 13 seasons in Green Bay, has changed all that.

During his introductory press conerence on Tuesday, McCarthy said that he was “definitely” interested in bringing Rodgers back to Pittsburgh for another year.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” he added (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). The two have already spoken about the possibility, but Rodgers will likely spend another offseason courting attention about his next career move.

If Rodgers does not run it back in Pittsburgh, the Steelers do not have a clear starter for the 2026 season. Currently rostered are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, neither of whom profile as a starting quarterback for a team that, presumably, plans to compete next year. McCarthy said (via Pelissero) that he was “really excited” about working with Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick who did not see a single regular-season snap as a rookie.

Regardless of the Steelers’ QB (or offensive coordinator), McCarthy plans to call the team’s offensive plays. He held that role in Green Bay and later in Dallas (after Kellen Moore‘s departure in 2022). That could affect McCarthy’s search for an offensive coordinator who may be seeking play-calling duties to boost their own resume.

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Anthony Campanile, Grant Udinski To Stay With Jaguars

By | at January 27, 2026 3:00 pm

Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski have received head coaching interest this offseason, but the team announced the two will return in 2026. Campanile agreed to a contract extension on Monday night, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.

Udinski, who also agreed to a new deal, withdrew from the Browns’ head coaching search on Monday. The 30-year-old wunderkind was still in the running for the job in Buffalo at the time, but that ended when the Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Tuesday. It’s now official that Udinski will remain a prominent part of Jaguars head coach Liam Coen‘s staff in 2026.

Campanile, 43, interviewed for head coach openings with the Ravens, Dolphins and Cardinals this month. While the Ravens and Dolphins have since hired different candidates, the Cardinals’ job is still open.

As of last Saturday, Campanile was reportedly a leading candidate to take over in Arizona, but the team will have to look elsewhere. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who has booked a second interview with the Cardinals, may end up as their pick.

Like Udinski, Campanile is fresh off a successful first year in Jacksonville, whose defense helped the Jags to a 13-4 record and an AFC South title. In Campanile’s first season as an NFL coordinator, the Jags’ defense finished second in takeaways, eighth in scoring and 11th in yards.

While either or both of Campanile and Udinski could be part of the head coaching market again next year, it’s a boon for Coen that he won’t have to replace either of them in 2026. Continuity in the coaching staff should improve the Jaguars’ chances of building on an impressive season that ended with a three-point loss to the Bills in the wild-card round.

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Jets Interview Brian Duker For DC

By | at January 27, 2026 2:34 pm

Add Dolphins pass game coordinator Brian Duker to a growing list of candidates for the Jets’ defensive coordinator position. The Jets have completed a virtual interview with Duker, per a team announcement.

[RELATED: Jets, OC Tanner Engstrand Part Ways]

Duker spent the past two seasons in Miami, where he worked under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. With Weaver likely on his way out of Miami after the hiring of new head coach Jeff Hafley, the 36-year-old Duker may end up elsewhere in 2026 even if the Jets don’t hire him.

Before joining the Dolphins, Duker formed a rapport with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn while the two were on the same staff in Detroit. With Glenn serving as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, Duker held three different roles – defensive assistant, safeties coach and defensive backs coach – from 2021-23. Duker assisted in the development of safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch along the way.

Although Duker doesn’t have any play-calling experience in the NFL, it may not matter in this case. Glenn reportedly prefers to handle those duties himself, which could point to someone with little to no experience as a defensive coordinator serving in that role with the Jets next season.

Veteran DC Steve Wilks was at the helm for most of 2025, but Glenn fired him in mid-December. Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Chris Harris took over for Wilks for the final three games of the season. The Jets’ immense struggles continued after that. In losses to the Saints, Patriots and Bills, they surrendered a total of 106 points.

New York’s defense, which said goodbye to cornerback Sauce Gardner and lineman Quinnen Williams in Nov. 4 trade deadline deals, ended the year 25th in yards and 31st in points. Worse, the Jets failed to record an interception.

Duker became the ninth candidate to interview for the Jets’ job. Here’s the rest of the list:

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Rams QB Matthew Stafford Undecided On Playing Future

By | at January 27, 2026 1:04 pm

The Rams came up short in the NFC title game on Sunday. That marked the end of quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s 17th season in the NFL.

Over much of his Rams tenure, Stafford has faced questions about the possibility of retirement. His future remained uncertain for a long period of the 2025 offseason before a new Los Angeles agreement was ultimately worked out. For now, Stafford does not have a firm timeline on deciding whether he wishes to continue his career or not.

“It’ll be a lot that goes into it,” the Super Bowl winner said during an appearance on the Let’s Go! podcast. “It’s a physical, a mental and emotional decision, a personal and a family decision as well… So when I’m ready to figure that out, I’ll be ready to figure that out. That moment isn’t right now. I have so much more time, I feel like, to reflect on just the people and the season that we just had.”

Amidst a new round of uncertainty regarding his status, Stafford loomed as a trade candidate last year. The Rams allowed his camp to seek out a deal and an accompanying extension; the Raiders and Giants emerged as serious contenders. Part of their selling point was an extension worth more than what Los Angeles was prepared to pay. In the end, though, Stafford elected once again to remain in place with the Rams on a new deal.

That 2025 agreement included a raise as well as – crucially – $40MM in 2026 compensation which is set to vest on the fifth day of the new league year. By mid-March, the Rams will therefore need to know Stafford’s intentions. When speaking after Sunday’s loss, head coach Sean McVay confirmed (video link via ESPN’s Kimberley Martin) the team will welcome him back for next season if that proves to be an option.

Stafford will turn 38 at the end of next week. A lingering back issue was a major talking point through training camp, with the Rams appearing to be uncertain about his ability to remain healthy all season. In fact, Stafford was available throughout the campaign and enjoyed an incredibly productive year. The former No. 1 pick led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, earning first-team All-Pro honors and his third career Pro Bowl nod along the way.

Expectations would be high for Stafford and the Rams once again in 2026 if their partnership were to extend into a sixth season. At this point, though, it is unknown if the team will have stability under center or if Los Angeles will be forced into finding a new QB1 this spring.

25 comments Los Angeles Rams

Falcons Set Up Second GM Interviews With Ian Cunningham, James Liipfert

By | at January 27, 2026 12:38 pm

The Falcons are getting closer to hiring a general manager to replace the ousted Terry Fontenot. Falcons president of football Matt Ryan said the team has “some” in-person interviews coming up (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic). They’ve identified at least a couple of finalists.

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham will meet with the Falcons for a second interview this week, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN relays. Texans assistant GM James Liipfert, a Georgia native, also remains in the running after an impressive initial interview, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. Both Cunningham and Liipfert will interview on Thursday, per Breer.

Cunningham, reportedly the favorite to become the Falcons’ GM, interviewed for their newly created president of football position before it went to Ryan. The 40-year-old has a connection to Ryan in Bears GM Ryan Poles, who was one of Ryan’s teammates at Boston College.

Cunningham, formerly with the Ravens and Eagles, has worked under Poles in Chicago since 2022. He has interviewed elsewhere for several promotions since then, including the Commanders’ president of football operations gig in January 2024. Cunningham was a finalist for that opening, but the Commanders hired Adam Peters instead. Two years later, Cunningham may head to Atlanta in a prominent position.

Liipfert, a former Georgia Tech linebacker, spent nine years in a scouting capacity with the Patriots before the Texans hired him as their director of college scouting in 2019. He has since climbed up the front office ranks in Houston, which promoted him to assistant director of personnel and then executive director of player personnel before moving him to assistant GM last June. Liipfert has a long history with Texans executive vice president/GM Nick Caserio, as the two previously worked together in New England.

“He’s earned his opportunity, so credit to him,” Caserio said of Liipfert (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2). “Whatever the Falcons decide to do, but hopefully he’s here helping the Texans. He’s fortunate to have the opportunity and I’m sure he’ll do a good job with it. Happy for James and see how it goes.”

It’s unknown if the Falcons will conduct second interviews with other candidates, but here’s a look at the other names they’ve considered:

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Cardinals Arrange Second Mike LaFleur HC Interview

By | at January 27, 2026 11:46 am

JANUARY 27: The Cardinals are one of three teams which have yet to make a head coaching hire at this point, but Connor Hughes of SNY reports LaFleur is still viewed as the frontrunner for Arizona. Once the follow-up between the parties concludes, a potential hire will be something to watch for.

JANUARY 26: With the Rams‘ season having ended on Sunday, their staffers are free to speak with interested teams about head coaching vacancies. That makes Mike LaFleur one of the top names to watch over the coming days.

LaFleur has been strongly linked to the Cardinals with their HC search ongoing. A second interview has now been arranged between the two. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Rams’ offensive coordinator will meet in person with Arizona today and tomorrow.

A Saturday report named LaFleur, along with former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile as the “leading” candidates for the Cardinals’ HC gig. As such, today’s update comes as little surprise. LaFleur has also met with the Raiders, one of four teams still in need of a new head coach.

Arizona fired Jonathan Gannon on ‘Black Monday’ in a move which ended his three-year run with the team. Since then, a number of other vacancies have emerged and – based on the level of activity regarding hires and interviews – many have proven to be more attractive. Indeed, six other HC hires have taken place at this point. Of the teams still looking for a head coach, only the Bills reached the playoffs in 2025.

After winning eight games in 2024, a postseason berth would not have been a major surprise in Arizona’s case. Instead, the team ended on a nine-game losing streak and finished 3-14. Improvement will be sought out by the Cardinals’ next head coach, someone who will have to make staffing decisions such as the hiring of a new offensive coordinator (to replace Drew Petzing) upon arrival. Gannon came to Arizona with a defensive background, whereas the opposite is true of LaFleur.

The brother of current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Mike worked as the Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2021 and ’22. Since then, he has worked a non-play-calling OC with the Rams. LaFleur, 38, has never been a head coach at the college or NFL levels. He is one of the top candidates still on the market at this point, however, and it will be interesting to see if this upcoming Cardinals interview produces an offer.

Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is a look at where things stand for Arizona:

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Eagles Interview Sean Mannion For OC Gig

By | at January 27, 2026 10:31 am

The list of Eagles offensive coordinator candidates has grown even longer. Philadelphia’s search for a Kevin Patullo replacement has produced another interview.

The Eagles met with Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. That makes him the 14th candidate linked to Philadelphia’s OC vacancy in one capacity or another. This is the first known coordinator interview Mannion has taken in this year’s cycle. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network confirms Mannion’s first meeting with Philadelphia was virtual, but he adds an in-person follow-up will take place later this week.

Immediately after ending his playing career, Mannion stepped into coaching. The former Rams and Vikings passer joined the Packers’ staff in February 2024. He worked as an offensive assistant on Matt LaFleur‘s staff that year before being promoted to QBs coach following Tom Clements’ retirement. In 2025, Mannion guided a position group which included Jordan Love posting the best passer rating (101.2) of his tenure working as Green Bay’s starter. Backup Malik Willis also drew praise for his work when on the field.

Willis could head elsewhere in free agency this spring, and given today’s updates Mannion could soon leave Green Bay as well. At the age of 33 and with only two years of coaching experience, Mannion would certainly carry a high degree of risk from the perspective of the Eagles or any other suitors. A hire could, on the other hand, set Philadelphia up for a degree of stability at the OC spot, something which has been lacking throughout head coach Nick Sirianni‘s tenure.

Patullo increasingly drew criticism for his unit’s performances in 2024, the first season following his promotion as Kellen Moore‘s successor. Other factors were in play for Philadelphia as last year’s Super Bowl winners fell short of expectations, but it came as little surprise when Patullo was dismissed following the team’s wild-card loss. The search for his replacement has proven to be far-reaching, but Mannion – who will work as an offensive coordinator in tonight’s East-West Shrine Bowl – is firmly on the Eagles’ radar.

Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, here is a look at where things stand for Philadelphia:

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