Extension For GM George Paton On Broncos’ Radar?
The Broncos have drawn a rather difficult assignment for a No. 1 seed in a divisional round, entering their playoff opener as underdogs to the No. 6-seeded Bills. Regardless of that game’s result, however, the team has completed a remarkable turnaround considering the past two years have seen a record-setting dead money bill (from the Russell Wilson release) appear on its cap sheets.
Denver has recovered from both the Wilson trade and extension and the regrettable 2022 Nathaniel Hackett hire to go 14-3 and book its first No. 1 seed since 2015. Sean Payton replaced Hackett effectively, and while the high-profile head coach is the Broncos’ top decision-maker now, GM George Paton remains a central part of the team’s operation. Paton was in the GM chair for the Hackett and Wilson decisions, making his status on this resurgent team impressive considering he had no past with Payton prior to engineering the 2023 trade for the HC’s rights.
[RELATED: Assessing Extensions’ Impact On Broncos’ Turnaround]
Installed as Broncos GM when John Elway kicked stepped down in January 2021, Paton is on a six-year contract. He will enter a lame-duck year in 2026, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler points to an extension being on the Broncos’ radar. Fowler indicates signs point to Paton remaining in Denver. It would take an extension for that to happen, but considering the success the Broncos have attained despite Wilson counting $32MM on their 2025 cap, it would surprise if the Payton-Paton tandem separated.
Rumblings about Payton bringing in someone he was more familiar with circulated in 2023, but nothing has come out about a potential split since. The Broncos secured a second straight playoff berth this season, going 14-3, and Paton’s extensions and draft picks have been a key part of this equation. Paton’s first draft (2021) brought Patrick Surtain, Quinn Meinerz and Jonathon Cooper to Denver; all have since been extended. The GM’s second draft lacked a first-round pick (thanks to the disastrous Wilson trade), but Nik Bonitto arrived in Round 2. Denver’s most notable draft choice during this period, Bo Nix, is tied more to Payton. But Paton engineered the route to land the Oregon prospect at No. 12, closing out a six-QB first round.
The Broncos extended Surtain, Meinerz and Cooper in 2024 and paid Bonitto, Zach Allen and Courtland Sutton this offseason. Sutton earned his second Pro Bowl nod this season, while Allen and Meinerz were first-team All-Pros. The Broncos have most of these players on team-friendly extensions, with Paton finalizing extensions for Surtain before his Defensive Player of the Year season and Meinerz before his 2024 All-Pro cameo.
Were the Broncos and Paton to split, Fowler adds the veteran exec — previously the Vikings’ assistant GM — would become a coveted GM candidate. Paton, who had withdrawn his name from the Browns’ GM search in 2020, was given time to turn things around in Denver. Now that he has, he has done well to restore his reputation with the Broncos and around the league.
Ravens Request HC Interview With Jim Schwartz
The Ravens have already spoken with Kevin Stefanski about their head coaching vacancy. He is not the only member of the 2025 Browns staff on the team’s radar, however.
Baltimore has submitted an interview request with Jim Schwartz, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Cleveland’s highly-regarded defensive coordinator remains under contract with the team at this point. Schwartz interviewed with the Browns for their own HC position last week, but this marks the first request from an outside suitor.
From 1993-95, Schwartz worked with Cleveland in the personnel department. He was among the personnel who moved to Baltimore when the inaugural edition of the Browns became the Ravens beginning in 1996. Schwartz – a Baltimore native – worked as a defensive assistant with the team for three years. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes he still has several relationships with people inside the Ravens organization.
Over time, Schwartz has become one of the league’s top defensive minds. A defensive coordinator with the Titans (2001-8), Bills (2014), (2016-20) and Browns (2023-present), he has an extensive track record at the NFL level. The 59-year-old also has head coaching experience dating back to his five-year run leading the Lions. That Detroit tenure ended after the 2013 season with an overall record of just 29-51.
Expectations would be much higher the second time around if Schwartz were to take charge of the Ravens, a team seen as one of the top landing spots for HC candidates. Baltimore has been connected to a number of former head coaches while seeking out John Harbaugh‘s replacement. That includes interest in staffers with an offensive and defensive background, even in a year relatively lacking in options who have previously called plays on offense.
Via PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, here is an updated look at the Ravens’ search:
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): To interview
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/11
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interview requested
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/9
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): To interview 1/12
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
Falcons Meet With John Harbaugh
John Harbaugh has completed his first interview. Although the Giants have come up as the most interested party, they did not land the first meeting. The Falcons did.
Atlanta announced an interview with Harbaugh occurred Monday. More meetings will be expected for the in-demand candidate, but it is certainly notable the Falcons completed the first one. Even with the Giants showing persistent interest, the Falcons joined them in closely monitoring Harbaugh even before the Ravens fired him.
The recently fired coach was believed to be setting up meetings, and based on the reported interest so far, this should be a busy week. Harbaugh spent the weekend making staff preparations, and a report earlier today indicated the Falcons and Giants were viewed as the early leaders. Though, the Browns, Dolphins and Titans are also believed to remain in play.
The Falcons, who were also linked to Harbaugh along with the Giants shortly after his Ravens ouster, were believed to be “increasingly interested” in the former Super Bowl-winning HC. They make sense as a logical landing spot, and the team now figures to move toward choosing its next HC now that Matt Ryan is officially on board in a high-ranking front office role. Though, the Saturday Ryan hire also came with a warning the Falcons were not yet ready to go “all in” on Harbaugh. That seems to separate them from the Giants, who have shown extensive interest throughout this process.
Were Harbaugh to choose the Falcons, he would immediately become the most prominent football presence in the building. It would be interesting for the Falcons to hire Ryan only to give a head coach final say in personnel, but Harbaugh would also give the team a seasoned leader to complement an unproven executive. Harbaugh, 63, is not believed to be seeking full roster control. But it should be expected he would wield considerable influence wherever he goes. The Falcons rebuffed Bill Belichick, with the previous football ops staff playing key roles in dissuading Arthur Blank from that hire. Two years later, Harbaugh would profile as a somewhat similar addition.
Belichick was believed to be Blank’s preferred hire, but CEO Rich McKay and then-GM Terry Fontenot were believed to have made the lead efforts to impede that hire. Raheem Morris then received his walking papers, along with Fontenot, after back-to-back 8-9 seasons. The Falcons, though, improved on defense and have some important pieces on offense. It should not be considered certain Michael Penix Jr. is Atlanta’s long-term QB option, but his presence will certainly impact the Falcons’ HC hire.
Atlanta has Bijan Robinson soon to be tied to a through-2026 contract, via the fifth-year option that will be exercised by the May deadline, and Drake London is an extension candidate. Kyle Pitts has come up as a franchise tag option. The Falcons also have Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom along with cornerstone left tackle Jake Matthews; right tackle Kaleb McGary is signed through 2027, though he missed all of this season. Fontenot’s trade-up for James Pearce Jr. cost Atlanta a first-round pick, but the team improved its anemic pass rush in 2025. Only the Broncos outperformed the Falcons in sacks (57), with Pearce and fellow first-rounder Jalon Walker making big early impacts.
Plenty of Harbaugh interviews should come, and it will be interesting if the accomplished leader will need second meetings before agreeing to terms. Giants, Dolphins and Titans meetings should be expected, and the Browns are believed to be interested in booking a summit. For now, though, the Falcons are the only team to have met with this carousel’s top name.
Browns Request HC Interview With Jaguars’ Grant Udinski
Liam Coen understandably garnered the most praise for the Jaguars’ turnaround that produced a 12-5 season, but offensive coordinator Grant Udinski certainly played a key role as well. Teams have paid attention to Trevor Lawrence‘s resurgence with regards to Udinski’s status.
Coming up as a potential HC candidate weeks ago, Udinski is indeed on the radar. The Browns have requested an interview with the young OC, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Udinski is just 30 (today), but he already made the jump from assistant QBs coach to OC last year.
[RELATED: 2026 HC Search Tracker]
The Jaguars hired Udinski from his assistant QBs coach role in Minnesota. Although Udinski is a non-play-calling OC, the Jags going from 4-13 to 12-5 turned heads. With teams seeing how Coen and Ben Johnson turned their teams around in Year 1, more interest in offense-oriented HC candidates is logical. Udinski qualifies, even though his experience level falls short in most respects.
Udinski only leapt onto the position coaching level in 2023, being an assistant to Kevin O’Connell in the two years prior. He began his NFL career as a coaching assistant prior to that, following Matt Rhule from Baylor to Carolina in 2020. While Rhule did not work out with the Panthers and is back at the college level, teams took notice in Udinski last year. The Texans, Patriots, Seahawks and Buccaneers each interviewed Udinski for OC positions in 2025. He conducted two interviews with Seattle before becoming Jacksonville’s OC.
The Giants were believed to have Udinski on their HC radar this offseason, though no request has emerged yet. With the Jags now eliminated, Udinski is free to interview. Had Jacksonville defeated Buffalo on Sunday, he would have needed to wait until Wednesday to do a remote interview. Free of restrictions, Udinski most likely will meet about possibly succeeding Kevin Stefanski — who was also a Vikings staffer, albeit before Udinski arrived — in Cleveland.
Texans Will Pick Up QB C.J. Stroud’s Fifth-Year Option; Team To Discuss Offseason Extension
For now, the Texans’ attention is focused on their upcoming wild-card game and any further playoff contests which follow. Once the season is over, a number of notable contract decisions will need to be made. 
This offseason will mark the first point at which 2023 draftees can sign extensions. That means quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson could land new contracts relatively soon. At a minimum, a choice on the fifth-year option for both players will need to be made by the spring. Neither case should prove to be particularly difficult on that front.
To no surprise, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms the Texans will exercise Stroud’s option (video link). That comes as no surprise given the 24-year-old’s success early in his career. Houston advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs in each of Stroud’s first two seasons, and a win tonight will extend that streak to three years. Exercising the option will set Stroud up for $26.53MM in 2027.
A long-term pact will of course cost much more than that. Per Rapoport, the Texans will weigh the possibility of working out a second contract this offseason against waiting until after the 2026 campaign is over. The market currently contains 11 passers attached to an average annual value of $51MM or more. Stroud can be expected to join that group whenever his next Texans contract is in place. The status of negotiations will make for a central Texans offseason storyline.
Stroud was selected second overall in the 2023 draft. Houston traded up to the No. 3 spot to add Anderson. Expectations were high in his case as a result, but the former Defensive Rookie of the Year has developed into a major factor in his team’s success. Anderson reached double-digit sacks for the first time in 2024, and he set a new career high in that department this season with 12. That production helped land him a first-team All-Pro nod along with the second Pro Bowl invitation of his career.
Houston will also look into an Anderson extension this offseason, Rapoport adds. In November, it was reported the Texans were expected to explore an early agreement on this front. Picking up Anderson’s fifth-year option will tie him to a 2027 salary of $15.28MM. An extension could move the Alabama product near the top of the pass rush market, one which is currently paced by Micah Parsons at $46.5MM per year.
Working out an agreement with either Stroud or Anderson will of course significantly alter the Texans’ cap outlook for years to come. A strong core is in place, but maintaining it will become more challenging as their respective costs increase. Massive new deals being finalized in either case will come as no surprise, but the timing on both fronts will be interesting to monitor.
Raiders Request Jesse Minter HC Interview; Giants Interview Slip Expected
Jesse Minter did not receive any interview requests last year, but after the Chargers continued their defensive momentum this season, the two-year NFL DC is flooded with interview slips.
After the Browns, Ravens and Titans sent them in, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports the Raiders want to meet with Minter as well. The Raiders had been a rumored Minter suitor. Tom Brady and GM John Spytek‘s Michigan pasts certainly make them a team to watch for the former Wolverines national championship-winning DC.
[RELATED: 2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
In addition to the Raiders, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo expects the Giants to submit Minter an interview slip. In a scenario we highlighted back in September, Minter repeating his 2024 defensive success would likely lead to widespread interest and possibly a Los Angeles departure. Though, Minter is among a handful of rising defensive coordinators on this year’s market.
Now that the Chargers have been eliminated, Minter is free to speak with teams about HC vacancies. The Raiders just went defense with their HC position a year ago, hiring Pete Carroll. But Minter would profile as a different type of defensive leader, with the age gap being perhaps the most notable component here.
Minter is 42, whereas Carroll set a record for oldest NFL HC this past season by coaching games at 74. The Raiders chased Ben Johnson last year in hopes he would become their long-term leader. A three-year Carroll contract followed. With Carroll a one-and-done, Minter is now among the names Las Vegas is considering.
The Giants look to have their sights squarely set on John Harbaugh, and recent reports tabbed them as one of the early favorites. Minter would profile as a different option, with Harbaugh 63, but his coaching development has come under the Harbaugh brothers — in Baltimore, Ann Arbor and Los Angeles. Minter would make for an interesting Giants option through this lens. The Giants have not hired a defense-based HC since Tom Coughlin in 2004.
Mutual Interest Between Steelers, Aaron Rodgers For 2026 Deal
Last summer, Aaron Rodgers strongly indicated the 2025 campaign would be his last in the NFL. His one-year stint in Pittsburgh has gone well, though, and it could continue beyond tonight’s game. 
The Steelers have been willing to keep Rodgers in the fold for next season, and midway through the campaign it was reported Pittsburgh’s hope was for that to take place. The future Hall of Famer, meanwhile, has left the door open to playing at least one more year. It appears an extended arrangement would be welcomed by both parties.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms (video link) there is a mutual interest between Rodgers and the Steelers to continue their partnership. The relationship between Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin remains strong, and Pittsburgh managed to win the AFC North this season with a 10-7 record. Aiming for a similar level of success in 2026 could obviously prove beneficial for all involved.
Rodgers’ legacy certainly took a hit during his Jets tenure, and a messy parting of ways with New York left his future unclear for much of last offseason. Limited free agent interest was shown, but a short-term Steelers pact long loomed as a reasonable proposition on both sides. A one-year deal was ultimately finalized, and it has proven to be worthwhile. Rodgers is now 42, but he has missed only one game so far this season.
The four-time MVP has not matched the statistical output of his best seasons, but an efficient passing output has proven sufficient in Pittsburgh this year. Improvements along the offensive line and at the receiver position would go a long way in providing a boost on offense for 2026. Keeping Rodgers in the fold would also give the unit a high floor next season.
The Steelers have been unable to find a long-term Ben Roethlisberger replacement since his retirement after the 2021 season. Efforts in the draft and along the free agent and trade routes have not yielded the desired results, but Rodgers has proven to be an effective stopgap option. Veteran Mason Rudolph and sixth-round rookie Will Howard are under contract for next season, so stability on the depth chart can be expected moving forward. It is unclear at this point if Rodgers will also be in the fold, but another deal being worked out with the Steelers would not come as a surprise.
Falcons, Giants Believed To Be Early John Harbaugh Leaders; Latest On Browns, Dolphins, Titans’ Pursuits
John Harbaugh interviews are expected to begin this week. The Giants look to be pushing the hardest among this lot of suitors, and the sides are on track to huddle up soon. But other teams are still in this race.
As of Monday, it is believed the Falcons join the Giants as the early leaders for the 18-year veteran HC, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. This is a sentiment shared around the coaching market, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, who indicates the current expectation points to Harbaugh ending up in Atlanta or New York.
The Dolphins and Titans, however, are still believed to be in the race, SI.com’s Albert Breer offers. Miami and Tennessee are still likely to have a “real shot” to pitch their jobs to the coveted candidate. Harbaugh is believed to have spent the weekend making preparations to assemble a coaching staff, Breer adds.
We heard over the weekend the Dolphins’ decision to hire Jon-Eric Sullivan as GM may steer them away from Harbaugh, and the Miami opening may not be especially desirable among top HC candidates.
The Titans are coming off a second consecutive 3-14 season, but they do have Cam Ward in place and the NFL’s second-most cap space. Though, the AFC South did show significant improvement this season — after being mostly dormant for many years. The Titans should be viewed as the third-place team for Harbaugh right now, Jones adds, but Ward and the lofty cap-space figure have presented some intrigue for Harbaugh, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. High draft choices and the Titans moving toward a new stadium are also factors here, Garafolo adds, noting GM Mike Borgonzi‘s presence is viewed as a plus early.
The NFC South, however, has been the NFL’s worst division on the whole this decade. The Falcons were part of a three-way tie for first place at 8-9. They were believed to join the Giants in closely monitoring the Harbaugh situation before the Ravens fired him. Atlanta also does not look to be a rebuilding team, having some quality pieces at the skill positions, up front and, as of 2025, in the pass-rushing department. The divisional outlook also does not look particularly strong moving forward, creating an interesting opportunity.
Harbaugh is believed to want some roster say, according to Jones, but he is not aiming for full control. A high salary will be required, as should be expected with a candidate carrying Harbaugh’s credentials and suitor list, but Jones adds a $20MM-per-year number is not a requirement. That is viewed as at or near the top of the coaching market, where ex-Harbaugh mentor Andy Reid resides.
Giants co-owner Steve Tisch is believed to be the strongest Harbaugh proponent within the NFC East organization, according to Hughes, but team brass is fairly in agreement this should be the way to play it. The Giants have not succeeded, for the most part, with first-timers since Tom Coughlin‘s ouster. Pat Shurmur had experience, a two-year Browns run, but was not in the same league as Harbaugh. A Harbaugh hiring would remind of the 2004 Coughlin pickup, though the latter was not nearly as experienced as Harbaugh when he landed the New York job.
In addition to Harbaugh being intrigued by Jaxson Dart, the coaching free agent is believed to value the Giants’ history. A storied franchise in the pre-Super Bowl era and one that has four Super Bowl titles, the Giants have fallen on hard times over the past decade and change. Even though New York won Super Bowl XLVI, it has not booked back-to-back playoff berths since the 2007-08 seasons. Harbaugh, 63, would have a chance to restore the Giants as a contending operation. That could appeal to a coach whose Baltimore tenure had run its course.
While the Browns are aiming to interview Harbaugh, Breer leaves them off the upper echelon of pursuers here. Though, Jones confirms a recent report that indicates mutual interest does exist. It will be tough for the Browns to lure Harbaugh or a comparable candidate, given ownership’s rocky history and Deshaun Watson‘s contract still on the books. The Browns, who will almost definitely roster Watson in 2026 and be on the hook for his megadeal in 2027 thanks to void years-driven dead money, also do not have a great path to a quarterback in this year’s draft due to holding the No. 6 overall pick.
Matthew Stafford To Play In Divisional Round; Rams Place CB Ahkello Witherspoon On IR
Matthew Stafford managed to play through an injury to his throwing hand on Saturday. He will be available for the Rams during the divisional round as well. 
Stafford underwent testing yesterday to determine the extent of his injury. When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Sean McVay revealed (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop) he suffered a sprained index finger. Stafford will nevertheless be available for the Rams during their game against the Bears on Sunday, to no surprise.
Stafford has a well-earned reputation for playing through injuries. The 37-year-old entered the season with concerns over his back, but he managed to play all 17 games in 2025. That run of availability paved the way for one of Stafford’s best years, as he led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. A first-team All-Pro selection for the first time in his career (to go along with his third Pro Bowl nod), Stafford will remain a major factor regarding the Rams’ Super Bowl chances as he prepares to manage the ailment this week.
There is other, less positive, injury news for Los Angeles. McVay said (h/t Barshop) cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon reinjured in shoulder during the Rams’ win against the Panthers. Witherspoon has been placed on injured reserve as a result. That move ensures he will not be able to play again this season.
Witherspoon was able to play in only six games due to his shoulder. The nine-year veteran returned to the lineup in late November and managed to reprise his defensive role when healthy; overall, Witherspoon logged a 48% snap share and started two games. Los Angeles will once again need to proceed without him, though. Witherspoon, 30, is a pending free agent. His market value has not doubt been dealt a blow over the course of an injury-marred campaign.
Mike McDaniel To Interview With Falcons, Ravens For HC Position
An offensive coordinator gig could await Mike McDaniel by the time the hiring cycle comes to a close. There is strong interest for a second head coaching opportunity as well, however. 
McDaniel is among the coaches who were fired last week. He has already arranged interviews with the Browns and Titans for their HC positions, and the list of suitors is growing. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Falcons and Ravens have reached out to McDaniel as well. Interviews with Atlanta and Baltimore will take place this week.
The Lions reached out to McDaniel about their offensive coordinator opening hours after his Dolphins firing. Per Pelissero, an interview for that spot will also take place shortly. Further interest for other OC positions would come as no surprise, but McDaniel is clearly a candidate to continue leading an NFL team in 2026 at this point.
Over the course of four seasons in Miami, McDaniel posted an overall record of 35-33. The team reached the playoffs in 2022 and ’23 but lost in the wild-card round both times. Things did not go according to plan over the following two seasons, with the Dolphins posting a losing record both times and the connection between McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa not producing the same success as was seen in previous years. A change of scenery for one is known to be imminent, while the other could be playing elsewhere in 2026.
Atlanta cleaned house after the regular season came to an end, firing both Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot before ‘Black Monday’ even began. The Falcons spent last week interviewing candidates for their new president of football operations role, and as expected Matt Ryan is now in place. With that front office hire having been made, attention will turn to the league’s only GM vacancy along with the search for Morris’ replacement. McDaniel spent two years with the Falcons, serving as an offensive assistant in 2015 and ’16.
Baltimore’s list of candidates to serve as John Harbaugh‘s successor is long and continuing to expand. McDaniel, 46, is among those with an offensive background and previous head coaching experience. That is rare when it comes to the 2026 hiring cycle, something which helps explain the widespread interest in McDaniel. Whether or not he emerges as a finalist for any of the league’s eight HC openings as the coaching landscape takes shape will make for a notable storyline.