Bills See RB James Cook As Core Player; Team Plans To Bolster CB Group In Offseason
The Bills see running back James Cook as a “big part” of their future, as Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported last month (video link). That is hardly surprising, as Cook has posted a robust 4.9 yards-per-carry average over his first three years in the NFL and led the league in rushing touchdowns (16) in 2024.
Because Cook, a 2022 draftee, is now eligible for an extension, it would be fair to expect Buffalo to engage in contract discussions with the two-time Pro Bowler’s camp this offseason (especially since he is a former second-round pick and does not have a fifth-year option included in his rookie deal). The problem, as Rapoport observes, is that Cook is just one of a number of talented young players whose contract situations may need to be addressed in short order.
Like Cook, linebacker Terrel Bernard, center Connor McGovern, cornerback Christian Benford, and edge defender Gregory Rousseau are all entering platform years, and Rapoport identifies that quintet as a group that could be in line for a new deal. GM Brandon Beane could deploy the franchise tag on one of those players next offseason if need be, but he will still have plenty of work to do to keep a championship-caliber core intact.
Indeed, despite the Bills’ inability to get over a Kansas City-sized hump in the AFC playoff field, Beane understandably is not going to overhaul his roster. In his end-of-season presser following another difficult playoff defeat at the hands of the Chiefs several weeks ago, Beane said he and his staff will “reset” and “recalibrate” as the Bills seek to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1993 campaign (via Alex White and Maddy Glab of the team’s official website, who also name WR Khalil Shakir as a rising fourth-year pro who might be the target of extension talks).
Part of Beane’s offseason plan will almost certainly include negotiations with at least some members of Buffalo’s 2026 free agent class, but Beane naturally indicated he will first attend to the players who are due to hit the open market next month. That list includes players like midseason trade acquisition Amari Cooper – whose disappointing Buffalo stint did not foreclose the possibility of a new contract keeping the high-profile wideout in western New York – and cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Beane said he will not bloat the Bills’ salary cap picture with expensive contracts in an effort to slay their playoff demons, which is perhaps an indication that Buffalo will once again avoid the deep end of the free agent pool. However, he did concede that he will need to address the team’s outside cornerback position in some way.
The Bills’ lack of depth in that regard was on full display when Benford was injured in the first quarter of this year’s AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs and was lost for the remainder of the contest. That depth will become even more of a concern if the team does not re-sign Douglas.
“Whether it’s extending guys, signing a free agent, or draft allocation, [boundary corner] is one of the areas we would look at,” Beane said.
Underlying all of this is the fact that the Bills could look to give quarterback and newly-minted MVP Josh Allen a pay bump. If such a raise comes as part of an extension or restructure, it could allow the team to reduce Allen’s $43MM cap charge for 2025 and improve their salary cap situation (at present, OverTheCap.com estimates that Buffalo is roughly $14MM over the 2025 cap, the third-worst situation in the league).
Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill Sued By Former Personal Assistant
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill once again finds himself as a defendant in a civil proceeding. Bidwill’s former personal assistant, Brittany Neuheisel, recently filed a lawsuit against Bidwill, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk relays.
Neuheisel, 54, who worked for Bidwill from January 2019 through January 2025, filed an 11-page complaint with causes of action like constructive discharge, wrongful discharge, discrimination based on age, gender, and religion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. As context for those various counts, she makes a number of strange and/or disturbing allegations.
For instance, Neuheisel avers that, during a meeting between Bidwill and his niece regarding the niece’s college studies, Neuheisel was instructed to remove the niece’s personal belongings from the car Bidwill had given to the niece so he could repossess and sell the car. Neuheisel says she was further instructed to take a video of the car being loaded onto a flatbed, a video Bidwill wanted to play for his niece.
Bidwill also allegedly disparaged Neuheisel for Neuheisel’s relationship with her own family, and Neuheisel further claims Bidwill’s pit bull attacked her. That attack did not stop Bidwill from later asking Neuheisel to take the dog to the park while he interviewed Monti Ossenfort for the club’s GM position.
As Florio notes, perhaps the most concerning allegation – at least as far as Bidwill’s standing in the NFL is concerned – is Neuheisel’s assertion that Bidwill instructed her to falsify certain information required by federal and international disclosures pertaining to Bidwill’s travel by private plane. Neuheisel additionally claims her former employer directed her to ship a firearm via FedEx and to ignore any restrictions regarding such a shipment.
According to Neuheisel, Bidwill eventually decided to replace her with someone “young, beautiful, and athletic,” and when he made that decision, he began to verbally abuse her and take other action to force her resignation. When, citing her traditional Catholic background, she resisted his alleged instructions to have her falsify information, he allegedly told her to follow his instructions and simply go to confession afterwards. And when the Cardinals allowed the Rams to use their stadium for last month’s postseason contest against the Vikings due to the Los Angeles-area wildfires, Neuheisel says Bidwill “shunned” her when introducing league commissioner Roger Goodell to employees in Bidwill’s suite. Similarly, Bidwill allegedly berated Neuheisel after Rams owner Stan Kroenke did not visit the suite to personally thank the Cardinals owner for his hospitality.
Of course, this is not the first time a former employee has sued Bidwill. Less than one year ago, an arbitrator awarded former Cardinals exec Terry McDonough $3MM – the bulk of which was comprised of punitive damages – for “false and defamatory” statements that the team made about him to the media after McDonough’s original arbitration filing (which stemmed from allegations of using burner phones during then-GM Steve Keim‘s suspension and McDonough’s subsequent demotion and dismissal upon taking issue with the burner phone gambit).
Although the arbitrator dismissed McDonough’s claims regarding his actual firing, the win was notable because it came through the NFL’s in-house arbitration process, which is generally skewed in favor of league owners. McDonough, his wife, and his daughter subsequently filed a lawsuit against the team, Bidwill, and others, an action that is still pending.
As of yet, there have been no reports suggesting that Bidwill’s fellow owners will consider ousting Bidwill from their ranks or at least putting pressure on him to sell the team. Still, the allegations in McDonough’s and Neuheisel’s actions could, if substantiated, warm Bidwill’s seat.
In the wake of Neuheisel’s suit, the Cardinals released a statement adamantly denying the allegations contained therein (via Florio). The statement reads:
“Earlier this week, the Cardinals received an email from a California-based plaintiff’s lawyer. In it, he threatened to file a lawsuit unless the team agreed to his demand for a substantial amount of money by 5:00PM the next day. The team refused and the lawyer has now filed the Complaint. The Cardinals were surprised by and strongly deny the allegations made in this lawsuit and intend to defend the case on its merits in the appropriate forum. As this is now pending litigation, the team will refrain from further comment.”
Support In Steelers’ Building For Retaining Justin Fields Over Russell Wilson?
As the countdown to free agency continues, the Steelers are still weighing their quarterback options. An external addition should not be expected, but maintaining a Russell Wilson–Justin Fields tandem for 2025 would also be a surprise. 
Owner Art Rooney II recently noted Pittsburgh will likely re-sign only one of Wilson or Fields this offseason while aiming to achieve continuity under center and also find a long-term solution at the QB spot. Wilson suffered a calf injury late in training camp which allowed for Fields to handle starting duties for the first six weeks of the season. The former Bears first-rounder helped his stock within the organization during that 4-2 span, but Wilson took the over QB1 gig when healthy.
Head coach Mike Tomlin‘s decision on that front was not unanimous, an indication of the support Fields had to continue as starter and, potentially, to remain with the Steelers. Indeed, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “some people” in the organization who prefer to re-sign the 25-year-old and by doing so allow Wilson to depart in free agency. The team is known to be interested in retaining Fields, so that update comes as little surprise.
Still, it became clear as the season wore on that Tomlin’s clear preference was for Wilson to remain atop the depth chart despite his and the team’s struggles down the stretch. The Steelers’ offense repeatedly came up short as a five-game losing streak ended their campaign in the wild-card round, illustrating the need for upgrades at several positions. Expectations would be tempered if Wilson, 36, were to remain in place – something which would require a more lucrative commitment than the veteran minimum salary he played for in 2024.
As Fowler notes, the prospect of a undisputed starting gig will no doubt be a top priority for Fields as he weighs his options. The Ohio State product has not developed as hoped as a passer during his career, but his age and rushing ability could make him one of the more intriguing QBs on the open market. Sam Darnold is the top option set to reach free agency, but a lack of proven passers (coupled with an underwhelming draft class) could leave Fields considering offers from a number of suitors.
One of those prospective teams could of course be the Steelers, especially if the sect in the organization which favors retaining him manages to convince Tomlin and/or general manager Omar Khan to go the younger route under center. Pittsburgh looms as a team to watch regarding a notable quarterback draft investment this year or next, as Rooney alluded to last month. Before a decision is made on that front, however, one will be required regarding Fields’ future.
Davante Adams “Intrigued” By Move To West Coast; Jets Have Not Been In Contact
10:43pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms a move out west will be something to watch for in the event Adams is released (video link). Notably, he adds the new Jets regime of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn has not yet been in contact with Adams’ camp about a potential restructured deal. Until discussions on that front take place, this situation will be filled with uncertainty.
11:12am: Davante Adams has been generally noncommittal about a return to the Jets. The star receiver’s contract allows him to effectively control his own destiny, and if he wishes to move on from New York, he may be eyeing a move west.
[RELATED: Davante Adams On Future With Jets]
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Adams is “intrigued” by a move to the west coast, with a source specifically pointing to the Rams and Chargers as an option. Fowler also adds the 49ers as a potential suitor, noting Adams’ connection to Northern California.
Adams’ two-plus season stint in Las Vegas ended this past season when he was traded to the Jets. Despite teaming up with old friend Aaron Rodgers, things obviously didn’t go as planned. The Jets went 3-8 when Adams was in the lineup, and the veteran ended up finishing with his fewest yards from scrimmage since the 2019 campaign. Following the season, Adams admitted he “would love to be a part of this football team,” although he cautioned that a number of factors would come into play (including the status of Rodgers).
While Adams is technically signed through the 2026 season, he has the ability to push his way out of New York. The Jets previously restructured the wideout’s 2024 salary without touching his 2025 and 2026 figures, leaving untenable base salaries of $35.6MM for each of the next two seasons. If the Jets want to keep Adams, they’ll surely require another restructured deal to keep the wideout on the books. If the receiver decides he wants out, he could simply decline the inevitable restructure request, which would ultimately lead to his release.
Considering Adams’ track record, he wouldn’t have a lack of suitors should he hit free agency, and each of the cited teams could make sense. The Rams are looking to move on from Cooper Kupp, which would open a significant spot in their receivers room opposite Puka Nacua. Kupp’s health concerns have surely played a role in the Rams’ decision to move on, although the team is also making it clear that they’re not looking to pay $20MM for a veteran WR.
The Chargers got a standout season from rookie Ladd McConkey, but there are questions behind their young wide receiver. Former first-round pick Quentin Johnston is still under contract, but the second-year player struggled with drops and inconsistency in 2024. Much of the rest of the team’s depth chart, which includes the likes of Josh Palmer, DJ Chark, and Simi Fehoko, are set to hit free agency, so the team could be in the market for another notable pass catcher.
The 49ers are loaded with pass catchers. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings are attached to veteran pacts, and the team added a pair of rookies last year in first rounder Ricky Pearsall and fourth rounder Jacob Cowing (not to mention tight end George Kittle, who led the team in receiving yards). The organization has shown an ability to juggle multiple offensive stars, but an Adams acquisition would surely push another big name off the roster.
Nick Chubb Wants To Re-Sign With Browns
Nick Chubb‘s career has hit a few speed bumps over the past couple of years. The Browns star suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL that limited him to two games in 2023. He returned to the field this past October, but his 2024 campaign ended early thanks to a broken foot.
Now, the running back faces an uncertain future as he enters free agency. If Chubb had his way, he’d remain in Cleveland for the rest of his career. The veteran told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal that he’d “of course” prefer to re-sign with the only team he’s ever played for and would like to complete a deal “sooner than later.” The RB also cautioned that he’s “not sure how it’ll work” since it’s his first true trip to free agency.
“Man, just for me, the city of Cleveland means lot,” Chubb said. “To me, it’s a special place. The people in Cleveland make it great, the fans and just the people around the city. But always a special place to me in my heart. I loved it here and it will always be home, no matter what.”
Chubb went on a historic run through his first five years in the NFL, averaging 1,466 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns per season. This culminated in a 2022 campaign when he compiled 1,764 offensive yards and 13 scores en route to his first All-Pro nod. Then, as mentioned, Chubb’s career hit some major setbacks. He’s been limited to only 10 games across the past two seasons, and his half-season return in 2024 saw him average a career-low 3.4 yards per touch.
This next deal will represent the third contract of Chubb’s career; the former second-round pick inked a three-year, $36.6MM extension with the Browns in 2021. The team reworked that contract last offseason to assure Chubb would remain in Cleveland for the 2024 campaign, but his future beyond that is very much uncertain. Browns GM Andrew Berry previously acknowledged the RB’s contributions to the organization while also describing the player’s impending free agency as a “challenging situation,” a potential hint that the team may look to move on.
While Chubb’s recent foot injury isn’t expected to impact his 2025 availability, the player’s recent injury history will surely impact his market value. While teams should be willing to gamble on his past production, the impending free agent will be hard pressed to garner a lucrative contract in free agency. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs barely cracked $12MM average annual values last offseason, while Derrick Henry had to settle for a two-year, $16MM deal. Chubb will likely have to opt for a prove-it deal this offseason, although perhaps he could earn back some money via incentives.
That contract could still come from the Browns, who don’t necessarily have a succession plan at the position. Jerome Ford didn’t necessarily run away with the job while filling in for Chubb, and the former fifth-round pick is one of only two RBs signed for the 2025 campaign (along with Pierre Strong).
Zach Ertz Will Play In 2025; Noah Brown Hopes To Re-Sign With Commanders
Zach Ertz enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign upon reuniting with Kliff Kingsbury and playing for the Commanders. The veteran tight end demonstrated the production he is still capable of, and as a result he has no intention of hanging up his cleats. 
“I don’t know what the future holds,” the three-time Pro Bowler said (video link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post). “I still want to play football next year. I just want to make that clear that I’m not retiring.”
Ertz’s best years came during his tenure with the Eagles, which began in 2013 and lasted midway through the 2021 campaign. He made a notable first impression for Kingsbury and Co. in Arizona, but in the following two seasons he was limited to a total of 17 contests and saw his production drop off. In 2024, however, a resurgence took place, resulting in a 66-654-7 statline.
Approaching his age-35 season, Ertz is a pending free agent. He is clearly looking for a new deal to continue his career, and it would come as no surprise if the Commanders looked to give him another short-term deal this spring (especially since Kingsbury turned aside head coaching interest to remain in the nation’s capital for 2025). Failing that, any number of teams in need of a pass-catching addition at the TE spot could look to add him for next season.
Ertz played on a $3MM pact in 2024, one which featured $1.96MM in up-front guarantees. The Stanford product will no doubt look to increase the latter figure on his next contract, but with the third-most projected cap space in the league this offseason, the Commanders should be able to comfortably afford a raise. It will be interesting to see if the sides can work out a deal before free agency starts next month.
In other Commanders news, wideout Noah Brown said (via Jhabvala) he wants to remain in Washington for 2025. The former Cowboys draftee was among the familiar faces who followed head coach Dan Quinn to the nation’s capital this past offseason (having spent 2023 in Houston). His debut Commanders campaign was of course highlighted by the Week 8 win which featured a Hail Mary pass he was on the receiving end of; overall, Brown averaged 12.9 yards per catch as a complementary receiving option before suffering a season-ending injury in December.
Adding a high-end producer to their pass-catching core (one which is lacking in star power outside of Terry McLaurin) is a goal for the Commanders this offseason. At least some new faces will no doubt be brought in at the tight end and receiver spots as a result, but Ertz and Brown are candidates to be retained on new deals.
Adam Butler Seeking Raise; DT Hopes To Re-Sign With Raiders
After sitting out the 2022 campaign, Adam Butler joined the Raiders on a low-cost deal. That one-year pact proved to be a worthwhile investment for the team, something which was essentially duplicated last offseason. 
Playing on another one-year deal in 2024, Butler again proved to be a key contributor on defense for Vegas. The 30-year-old matched last season’s sack total (five) while posting 15 pressures along with a career-high 65 tackles and logging by far the heaviest workload of his career with a 77% snap share. As a result, Butler is among the team’s most notable free agents.
As The Athletic’s Vic Tafur notes, the Vanderbilt product “would love” to re-sign once more with the Raiders (subscription required). Butler is, however, seeking a more lucrative pact this time around. He played on a $1.55MM deal in 2023; that figure rose to $1.8MM this past year. Considering his production, the former UDFA could command a raise on the open market this spring, particularly on a short-term contract.
The Raiders currently sit second in the NFL in projected 2025 cap space, so the team will the option of preventing players like Butler from reaching free agency. Along the defensive interior, the team already has one major contract on the books in the form of 2024 free agent addition Christian Wilkins. Butler is not in line for a deal in the vicinity of the $27.5MM-per-year one Wilkins signed last year, but losing him on the open market would create a notable vacancy. That would especially be true if fellow DT starter John Jenkins were to also depart as a free agent.
Of course, the Raiders have a new regime in place compared to the one which elected to re-sign Butler last year. General manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll will need to decide if authorizing a raise will be worthwhile as the team evaluates other positions of need after a 4-13 season. If Butler does reach free agency, it will be interesting to see how strong his market proves to be.
Travis Kelce’s Playing Future Uncertain?
FEBRUARY 8: In spite of Kelce’s remarks from earlier this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports his situation is still uncertain. The four-time All-Pro is expected to take time this offseason to contemplate his future, with Rapoport adding the outcome of tomorrow’s Super Bowl may play a role in Kelce’s decision.
A fourth Super Bowl ring would leave him with even less to accomplish in the NFL for 2025 and beyond, but Kansas City’s offense would of course have a major vacancy to fill in the event of a retirement call. Kelce’s commitment one way or the other should be known before free agency begins in mid-March, per Rapoport.
FEBRUARY 4: Rocketing into a position as one of the best-known American athletes over the past two years, Travis Kelce has used this Chiefs dynasty period to cement himself as one of the all-time tight end greats. While this is obviously an easier NFL period to accumulate receiving yards compared to past eras, the Kansas City tight end stands on his own tier in terms of 1,000-yard seasons at his position.
This season brought a second straight sub-1,000-yard showing for Kelce, who has shown decline signs. Kelce earned his 10th Pro Bowl nod but averaged a career-low (by a significant margin) 8.5 yards per catch this season. The 12th-year veteran still led the Chiefs in receiving yardage (823), but he is not the dominant force that powered the Chiefs to victory in 2022. Kelce, who also stands at or near the top in terms of playoff receiving statistics, is not eyeing retirement on the heels of this step back.
[RELATED: Andy Reid Intends To Coach Next Season]
The Chiefs gave Kelce a pay bump this offseason, adding $4MM in total and providing substantial guarantee protection. After the 2024 raise provided $17MM in guarantees at signing, most of his 2025 money is set to vest on Day 3 of the 2025 league year. Kelce’s $17MM-per-year deal still runs through the 2025 season, as the Chiefs did not add any new years to his contract — one initially agreed to in 2020.
It would stand to reason Kelce would want to keep going, even though he has secured lucrative opportunities off the field — thanks to his New Heights podcast (with recently retired brother Jason) and burgeoning movie career. But Patrick Mahomes‘ longtime security blanket is aiming to play beyond this contract.
“I love doing this; I love coming into work every day. I feel like I still have a lot of good football left in me. We’ll see what happens,” Kelce said, adding he would like to play beyond the 2025 season. “I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life. That’s always been the goal, knowing football only lasts for so long. You have to find a way to get into another career and another profession. I’ve been doing that in my offseason. But for the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football.”
Even if the 35-year-old tight end may be unlikely to add an eighth 1,000-yard receiving season to his resume, no other tight end has more than four. Another season will likely give Kelce a gateway to surpassing Jerry Rice in playoff yardage; the receiver icon is up 2,245-2,039 presently. Kelce’s 20 postseason touchdowns are also second only to Rice’s 22, illustrating how important he has been to the Chiefs establishing themselves as this decade’s premier team.
The Chiefs may lack the style points from their Tyreek Hill years, leading to narrow victory margins and steady scrutiny, but Kelce has been vital for the team as it has crafted this threepeat attempt. His relationship with Taylor Swift has certainly brought the two-time reigning champs considerably more attention, even as their string of near-misses (packed with some officiating drama) this season has turned off plenty of fans. But the Chiefs are unlikely to exit stage left by 2025, as Kelce, Mahomes and Chris Jones join Reid in returning as this dynasty’s pillars. The Chiefs gave Jones (30) a massive raise this past offseason, while Mahomes (29) remains tied to his outlier through-2031 extension.
Even with Kelce no longer at his peak, it would be logical, based on all the value Kelce has brought the Chiefs, the team would be interested in continuing this partnership after 2025. Kelce has taken discounts, joining Mahomes in that regard, to help the Chiefs — all while simultaneously contributing to the wage gap that has formed between tight ends and wideouts — soar to their current perch. As a 13th Kelce season in Kansas City is all but assured, it will be interesting to see how much longer this partnership lasts beyond that point.
Injured Reserve Return Tracker
This offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.
In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 27 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. This introduces more strategy for teams, who will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.
All players designated for return on August 27 were eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Players who receive return designations after Week 5 also appear on this list.
This offseason also brought a second adjustment, with teams who qualify for the playoffs set to have two additional activations at their disposals. With the playoffs upon us, the two additional activations have been added to each team’s ledger. Here is how the Chiefs and Eagles’ activation puzzles look going into Super Bowl LIX:
Kansas City Chiefs
Designated for return:
- WR Skyy Moore (Jan. 30)
Reverted to season-ending IR
- WR Mecole Hardman (Jan. 22)
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- WR Marquise Brown (Week 16)
- K Harrison Butker (Week 15)
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Week 7)
- TE Peyton Hendershot (Week 17)
- RB Isiah Pacheco (Week 13)
- CB Jaylen Watson (divisional round)
Activations remaining: 4
Philadelphia Eagles
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam (released Nov. 5)
Designated for return:
- WR Britain Covey (Jan. 22)
- TE C.J. Uzomah (Jan. 30)
Reverted to season-ending IR:
- DT Byron Young
Activated:
- WR Britain Covey (Week 12; later placed on IR a second time)
- TE Dallas Goedert (Week 18)
- DE Brandon Graham (Super Bowl)
- DE Bryce Huff (Week 17)
- LT Jordan Mailata (Week 11)
- WR Ainias Smith (Week 8)
Activations remaining: 3
Jaguars Finalize Coaching Staff
The time has come for Liam Coen to finally lead an NFL staff as a head coach. The 39-year-old has been an extremely fast riser after getting his first NFL assistant position in 2018. His first NFL coordinator role came in 2022, and three years later, he’s a head coach. The Jaguars announced yesterday that he’s now completed the building of his first NFL staff in Jacksonville. 
He started with the hirings of offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. Since then, we’ve been informed of the hiring of quarterbacks coach Spencer Whipple, passing game coordinator Shane Waldron, passing game specialist John Van Dam, defensive line coach Matt Edwards, defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins, and linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, as well as the retention of special teams coordinator Heath Farwell. Their new announcement clears up the rest of the open positions.
On offense, we recently saw Vikings assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett interview for the offensive line coaching job in Jacksonville, and his interview was a successful one. After one year in Chicago, Chad Morton joins the Jaguars as running backs coach. Before holding the same role with the Bears, Morton coached running backs in Seattle for seven years. It was announced earlier this week that Edgar Bennett would not be returning as wide receivers coach for the Raiders in 2025. Well, he has bounced back quickly, getting hired to the same position in Jacksonville.
Two familiar faces will remain on the offense with the Jaguars. Tight ends coach Richard Angulo and assistant wide receivers coach Tyler Tettleton will be retaining their roles with the team in 2025. Angulo has coached tight ends in Duval since 2022, while Tettleton has held his role for two seasons. Tettleton will add the title of passing game specialist to his role, as well.
On defense, we see Derrick LeBlanc join the staff as assistant defensive line coach. It was announced nearly two weeks ago that LeBlanc would not be returning as defensive line coach in Arizona, so he’ll take a step back in 2025 in an assistant role with the Jaguars. Kevin Wilkins has been hired as assistant linebackers coach. After being fired by the Giants last year, Wilkins spent 2024 as a defensive assistant for the University of Michigan. We saw earlier that Colts defensive backs coach Ron Milus would not be returning in 2025. He’ll stay in the AFC South, though, as the new secondary coach in Jacksonville.
Drew Lascari will make his debut as an NFL coach in 2025 as the team’s new assistant defensive backs coach. He’s spent the past seven years at Rutgers, coaching safeties in their last three seasons. One familiar face will be sticking around in Jacksonville on defense. Mario Jeberaeel was hired last year as assistant outside linebackers coach. He’s been retained in 2025 but will serve this year as a defensive assistant.
On special teams, being retained alongside Farwell will be assistant special teams coach Luke Thompson. Thompson will enter his fourth year in that role. Jay Kaiser has joined the staff as assistant to the head coach. It’s his first year with the Jaguars coming from the University of Illinois as director of college personnel and NFL liaison. Joining Kaiser in the role of assistant to the head coach will be ElizaBeth Harrison, who has held that role in Jacksonville for the past 16 years.
Thus concludes the hiring of the main positions of Coen’s first staff in Jacksonville. Some ancillary positions and other assistant roles remain to be filled out, but the main bones of the staff are now solidified.