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Cardinals Schedule Second HC Interview With Anthony Weaver

By | at January 24, 2026 11:10 am

Continuing a busy week, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has booked a second head coaching interview with the Cardinals, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. That meeting will take place Sunday.

Weaver held second head coaching interviews with the Ravens and Steelers earlier this week. The 45-year-old is also a candidate in Buffalo, which will discuss its open job with him today.

Weaver remains “very much in the mix” to end up as Mike Tomlin‘s successor in Pittsburgh, Peter Schrager of ESPN reports. However, after he wraps up his summit with the Bills, he’ll turn his attention back to Arizona.

Weaver joins Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile as the first two candidates to set up second interviews with the Cardinals. Unsurprisingly, Campanile is “firmly in the mix” to land the position, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Either Weaver or Campanile would be a second straight defensive-minded hire for Arizona, which is coming off a subpar three-year run with Jonathan Gannon at the controls. The Cardinals fired Gannon after he went 15-36 and posted a dreadful .294 winning percentage.

A defensive lineman with the Ravens and Texans from 2002-08, Weaver has garnered over a decade of experience as an NFL coach since his playing career ended. The two-time defensive coordinator (with the Texans in 2020 and the Dolphins since 2024) has managed mixed results in that role.

Houston’s Weaver-led defense ranked 27th in points and 30th in yards, and he didn’t keep the job for a second season after the Texans moved on from head coach Bill O’Brien and interim HC Romeo Crennel. Weaver then returned to his former stomping grounds in Baltimore, where he coached the defensive line under coordinators Wink Martindale and Mike Macdonald from 2021-23.

Weaver parlayed his work with the Ravens into a promotion in Miami, whose defense was a significant strength in his first season at the helm. The Dolphins finished fourth in total defense and 10th in scoring. Although they fell to 22nd and 24th in those respective categories in 2025, it’s clear teams aren’t holding that against Weaver.

Almost three weeks since Gannon’s ouster, here’s where the Cardinals’ HC search stands:

2 comments Arizona Cardinals Jacksonville Jaguars Miami Dolphins Pittsburgh Steelers

Commanders Interview Steelers’ Teryl Austin For Defensive Coordinator

By | at January 23, 2026 1:47 pm

With his future in Pittsburgh uncertain, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has interviewed for the same position with the Commanders, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

This is the first offseason interview for Austin, who’s coming off his seventh year in Pittsburgh and his fourth as its defensive coordinator. The 60-year-old may end up elsewhere in 2026 after head coach Mike Tomlin resigned. Tomlin’s successor will presumably hire someone else to run Pittsburgh’s defense next season.

Austin became the seventh D-coordinator interview for the Commanders, who are working to replace the fired Joe Whitt. Head coach Dan Quinn & Co. have also discussed the job with Brian Flores, Chiefs D-line coach Joe Cullen, ex-Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon, former Titans DC Dennard Wilson, Bears DBs coach Al Harris and Seahawks DBs coach Karl Scott.

With the exception of Flores, who will stay with the Vikings if he doesn’t land a head coaching job, everyone from that group is still available. Austin easily carries the most experience of the bunch.

Over a decade after beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant with Penn State in 1991, Austin received his first NFL opportunity as the Seahawks’ DBs coach in 2003. Between his four-year tenure in Seattle and his Pittsburgh stint, he worked in various NFL roles with the Cardinals, Ravens, Lions and Bengals. Austin’s first experience as a coordinator came at Florida in 2010, and Quinn succeeded him in that job the next season. In the pros, Austin was a coordinator in Detroit (2014-17) and Cincinnati (2018) before he caught on with Tomlin’s staff as a senior defensive assistant and secondary coach in 2019.

After Austin grabbed the defensive reins in Pittsburgh, the unit finished top 10 in scoring in three straight seasons, though it ranked a less impressive 12th to 21st in yards allowed in each year. Pittsburgh’s defense is now fresh off its worst season in points (17th) and yards (26th) under Austin, but it piled up the league’s fourth-most takeaways (27) and sixth-most sacks (48).

On the other hand, the Commanders’ defense hardly excelled at anything in 2025. While Washington was a respectable 12th in sacks, it was 27th in points, 31st in takeaways and dead last in yards. Quinn took play-calling duties from Whitt after Week 10, though the head coach could pass those responsibilities to the battle-tested Austin if he joins the Commanders’ staff in 2026.

7 comments Pittsburgh Steelers Washington Commanders

Titans Speak With Steelers’ Arthur Smith About OC Position

By | at January 23, 2026 12:43 pm

With new head coach Robert Saleh working to assemble his staff in Tennessee, the Titans could turn to a familiar face at offensive coordinator. They’ve spoken with Steelers OC and former Titans assistant Arthur Smith about the position, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Smith, 43, was among the coaches the Titans interviewed for their HC job, but he did not rank among their finalists. The Titans ultimately chose Saleh out of a group that also included Matt Nagy and Jeff Hafley. After Hafley agreed to become the Dolphins’ head coach on Monday evening, the Titans hired Saleh several hours later.

Saleh is now on the lookout for an experienced O-coordinator to work with quarterback Cam Ward, and Smith fits the bill. The Memphis-born Smith, who worked in various roles with the Titans from 2011-20, is a two-time NFL offensive coordinator (with the Titans from 2019-20 and the Steelers since 2024). He had a three-year run as the Falcons’ head coach from 2021-23 between his OC stints.

Smith struggled to a 21-30 record in Atlanta, which hired him after he impressed as an assistant under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. The Titans’ offense was top 10 in scoring in back-to-back seasons under Smith, who guided the unit to a fourth-place ranking in that category and a second-place position in yards in 2020. QB Ryan Tannehill enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, while running back Derrick Henry eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark on the ground, and wide receivers A.J. Brown and Corey Davis posted solid production.

After the Falcons fired him, Smith resurfaced on Mike Tomlin‘s staff in Pittsburgh. While he’s still a Steelers employee, Smith’s future is uncertain after Tomlin’s resignation. It seems likely he’ll end up elsewhere in 2026. Regardless, it’s fair to say the Steelers have produced middling-at-best results under Smith. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as their signal-callers in 2024, the Steelers finished 16th in scoring and 23rd in total offense. They were a similar 15th and 25th, respectively, in those categories with Aaron Rodgers under center this season.

The Steelers haven’t surrounded their QBs with great supporting casts over the past couple of years, and that’s even more true in the Titans’ case. Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, took a league-high 55 sacks as a rookie. Between the struggles of the Titans’ O-line, instability on the sidelines, and a lack of weapons in the passing game (none of the team’s pass catchers reached the 600-yard mark), Ward unsurprisingly endured a difficult rookie year as part of a 3-14 campaign.

Nick Holz, whom Saleh will not retain, acted as a non-play-calling OC for the Titans in 2025. QBs coach Bo Hardegree called the plays, but either Smith or another outside candidate is expected to take on that role next season.

12 comments Pittsburgh Steelers Tennessee Titans

Titans Seeking Experienced OC

By | at January 22, 2026 1:33 pm

Almost every head coaching candidate the Titans spoke to had experience in the position at the NFL level. Robert Saleh‘s staff will unsurprisingly target a veteran play-caller on offense as well.

So far, the Titans have been connected to former head coaches Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll with respect to their offensive coordinator position. Daboll’s top OC destination appears to be Tennessee, although he is also interested in returning to the Bills as their head coach. The list of Titans targets is set to expand shortly.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Tennessee’s options include former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Packers OC Adam Stenavich and Dolphins pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik. Each have them has been a coordinator at the pro level before, and all but Stenavich have called plays during at least one NFL stint.

Kingsbury has conducted multiple head coaching interviews recently, and he was among the staffers linked to Tennessee in that regard. The former Cardinals HC also met with the Ravens about their offensive coordinator position. Without a hire taking place on either front, Kingsbury remains on the market at this point. His NFL stints have included time overseeing the development of quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels, and working closely with Cam Ward during his second year and beyond will be a top priority for any OC hire.

Smith also met with the Titans early in their head coaching search. The 43-year-old was then linked to OC vacancies in Detroit and Los Angeles. The Lions and Chargers (provided Mike McDaniel does not land a head coaching position) have filled them, however. Smith thus looms as another offensive coordinator option with experience not only as a play-caller but as a head coach as well.

Slowik, 39, followed DeMeco Ryans from San Francisco to Houston in 2023. During his two seasons as the Texans’ offensive coordinator, Slowik’s unit ranked 13th and then 19th in scoring. He received an interview request from the Eagles, but one could also be coming shortly from the Titans. Stenavich has been with the Packers since Matt LaFleur‘s arrival in 2019. For the past four seasons, he has operated as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator (albeit without calling plays).

The Titans ranked 30th in total and scoring offense in 2025. Improving on the team’s showing under former head coach Brian Callahan and interim replacement Mike McCoy will be a major priority for next season, and a veteran OC will likely be leaned on to lead the way.

2 comments Green Bay Packers Miami Dolphins Pittsburgh Steelers Tennessee Titans

Vikings Extend DC Brian Flores; Flores Still HC Candidate

By | at January 21, 2026 6:24 pm

While Brian Flores is currently pursuing a higher position elsewhere, the Vikings have signed him to an extension. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Flores is still considered a candidate for the open head coaching jobs in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but he’ll now have his job as defensive coordinator in Minnesota if those teams end up hiring other candidates.

Similiar to another coach on the offensive side of the ball, Mike McDaniel, Flores was getting interest around the league lately for his potential to become both a team’s new head coach or a team’s new defensive coordinator. The former Dolphins head coaches were both looking to return to another leading role, and Flores has interviewed with the Ravens and Steelers, while also being mentioned as a candidate for the job in Las Vegas.

With his contract as defensive coordinator in Minnesota coming to an end, though, other teams around the league were showing signs of interest in Flores continuing in his role as a defensive play-caller. A week ago, he interviewed for the job in Washington, so the speculation was already up in the air on whether Flores would end up being a head coach or a coordinator with a new team. With this extension in place, though, Flores’ two options are to land a head coaching job with a new team or return to the Vikings and remain as defensive coordinator.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell had recently expressed doubt that Flores would leave for the same job with another team. In reaction to the news of Flores’ extension, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifer, O’Connell told the media, “The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I’ve really valued the relationship we’ve built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment, and high standard will continue to be critical to our success.”

As Flores had continued as a candidate outside the building, the team had held discussions concerning the potential for a new deal like this with Flores, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. In his three years as defensive coordinator in Minnesota, Flores’ unit has given up the second-fewest points per game in the NFL over that span. The unit has improved each year and finished seventh in points allowed and third in yards allowed at its peak this season, anchored by a defense that gave up the league’s second-fewest passing yards per game this year.

The Ravens are starting to select finalists as they move slowly through their interview process, and the Steelers have made it known that Flores is considered to be a “serious contender” to land as their head coach, but the Vikings have been loud in their assertion that seeing him return to lead the defense was their No. 1 priority. Now, they’ve held up their end of the bargain and secured his place on next year’s staff. They’ll just have to hope that Baltimore and Pittsburgh neglect to had him a bigger opportunity.

7 comments Baltimore Ravens Minnesota Vikings Pittsburgh Steelers

Giants Contacted Mike Tomlin During HC Search; Tomlin Done Coaching?

By | at January 21, 2026 9:00 am

JANUARY 21: Giants general manager Joe Schoen confirmed that the Giants spent weeks doing their homework on Tomlin in case he did become available, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. Their research likely showed what PFR has reported for several weeks: if Tomlin left Pittsburgh, he would take a TV gig for at least a year before evaluating his options to return to coaching.

JANUARY 20: It appears Mike Tomlin‘s resignation as the Steelers’ head coach last week will lead to at least a one-year absence from the sidelines. It may even be a permanent retirement from coaching.

As a guest on Wake Up Barstool on Tuesday, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer revealed that “probably seven teams” have contacted him to inquire about Tomlin’s availability (via Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot). Tomlin isn’t interested, according to Glazer, who’s friends with the coach.

Asked if Tomlin could emerge as a candidate for the newly available job in Buffalo, Glazer replied: “That’s not happening. Mike T’s done.”

Based on Glazer’s comments, we may have seen the last of Tomlin as a head coach after 19 seasons. Now 53 years old, Tomlin took over in Pittsburgh as a first-time head coach in 2007 and went on to compile a 193-114-2 regular-season record with eight division titles, including an AFC North crown in 2025, 13 playoff berths, two AFC championships and a Super Bowl title.

The Steelers didn’t post a sub-.500 season under Tomlin, adding to his impressive list of accomplishments, but playoff success was elusive in the second half of his Steel City tenure. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2017, and they dropped their last six postseason contests under Tomlin. His Steelers stint ended with a 30-6 wild-card round blowout at the hands of the Texans.

Although his time in Pittsburgh featured plenty of early January disappointment over the past several years, it’s no surprise teams would have interest in giving the potential Hall of Famer a second chance as a head coach. That’s especially the case when considering the unusually high number of HC vacancies this winter.

The Bills became the 10th opening of the offseason when they fired Sean McDermott on Monday, though the number is down to six after the Falcons (Kevin Stefanski), Giants (John Harbaugh), Dolphins (Jeff Hafley) and Titans (Robert Saleh) made hires. The Giants began working toward an agreement with Harbaugh late Wednesday, but a member of their ownership reached out to Tomlin before then, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Tomlin informed the Giants he doesn’t plan to coach in 2026, leading the team to pour all its efforts into reeling in Harbaugh. They officially reached a deal last Saturday.

Unlike Harbaugh, who was a free agent, the Giants would have had to work out a trade to bring in Tomlin. The Steelers still hold Tomlin’s contractual rights for another season, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. If Tomlin sits out 2026 and returns to coaching after that, he’d be free to sign anywhere, but it’s now fair to wonder if he’ll ever roam the sidelines again.

39 comments New York Giants Pittsburgh Steelers

Details On Titans’ Robert Saleh Hire

By | at January 20, 2026 10:29 pm

Although a report on Monday pegged Matt Nagy as the frontunner for the Titans’ head coaching position, the team instead hired Robert Saleh several hours later. Nagy and Saleh joined then-Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as the Titans’ finalists, according to insider Jordan Schultz, who reveals the team never seriously considered Mike McCarthy despite interviewing him

Tennessee lost one of its finalists when the Dolphins hired Hafley as their head coach on Monday evening. Saleh, meanwhile, entered his Monday interview with the Titans needing to “win the job,” Albert Breer of SI.com writes.

In successfully landing the role, the former 49ers defensive coordinator secured a five-year contract, per Schultz. Because Saleh’s second stint in San Francisco only lasted one year, the 49ers will not receive draft compensation for losing him, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes.

Saleh’s summit with the Titans included a three-hour meeting with general manager Mike Borgonzi, president of football operations Chad Brinker, and several other members of their front office, Breer relays. Borgonzi made the recommendation to hire Saleh after his successful pitch to team brass.

Saleh impressed the group with a “detailed plan” on working with quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. That included ideas on putting together the right offensive staff to maximize Ward’s potential. Saleh’s looking for a “CEO-type” offensive coordinator, Schultz says.

We already know Saleh’s offensive staff will not include Mike McDaniel, who developed a strong bond with Saleh when they coached together in San Francisco from 2017-20. Although Saleh had been in contact with McDaniel (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN), the latter is on the cusp of becoming the Chargers’ offensive coordinator.

Given Ward’s importance to the organization, the Titans wanted all of their head coaching candidates to present a plan for Ward, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. With Saleh now in charge and McDaniel about to come off the board, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is reportedly in the mix to take over as Ward’s next offensive coordinator.

The Titans interviewed Daboll for their head coaching job, but he may wind up taking on a key role as an assistant with the team. However, Daboll has another suitor in the Eagles, who are interested in him for their O-coordinator opening. He’s also a potential candidate for Buffalo’s head coaching job, which became available when the team unexpectedly fired Sean McDermott on Monday. Daboll spent 2018-21 as the Bills’ OC and aided in developing Josh Allen into an elite signal-caller. In bringing in Daboll to help Ward, the Titans would hope for similar results.

If Daboll doesn’t join Saleh’s staff, Breer identifies former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Rams OC Mike LaFleur and Steelers OC Arthur Smith as other possibilities.

Kingsbury helped guide 2024 second overall pick Jayden Daniels to stellar results as a rookie, but multiple injuries largely prevented the dual-threat QB from building on that success this season. After Daniels played in just seven games in 2025, Kingsbury and the Commanders parted ways. Kingsbury has since drawn the attention of teams looking for head coaches and offensive coordinators.

LaFleur also worked with Saleh in San Francisco, though Breer is skeptical he’ll leave Los Angeles this offseason. Interestingly, LaFleur’s brother, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, played a role in the Titans’ decision to hire Saleh. After the Jets fired him as their head coach in October 2024, Saleh ended the season on LaFleur’s staff as an offensive consultant. LaFleur, one of Saleh’s closest friends, provided the Titans helpful feedback during their search.

Smith, a Nashville native, also interviewed for the Titans’ HC gig. Previously a Titans assistant from 2011-20, Smith held the OC role in his last two years with the organization before a three-season run as the Falcons’ head coach. While Smith is still on Pittsburgh’s staff, Mike Tomlin‘s resignation casts doubt on his future with the team.

Saleh will spend the coming weeks assembling his staff, a group he hopes will help produce better results than he generated in New York. The Jets canned Saleh after he posted an unsightly 20-36 record over three-plus seasons. While Saleh didn’t call the defensive plays with the Jets, that will change in his new home, which helps give the Titans confidence the 46-year-old will capitalize on his second chance as a head coach.

Saleh’s “energy and presence” helped win over owner Amy Adams Strunk, whose previous head coaching hire, Brian Callahan, contributed to the franchise’s recent slide. Now stuck in a four-year playoff drought, the Titans have gone a woeful 19-49 since 2022.

2 comments Los Angeles Rams Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Tennessee Titans

Falcons To Interview Andy Weidl For GM

By | at January 20, 2026 10:13 pm

In hiring Matt Ryan as their president of football and Kevin Stefanski as their head coach, the Falcons have crossed two key tasks off their list in the past 10 days. The Falcons still need to choose a general manager, though, and Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl has emerged as a candidate to replace the fired Terry Fontenot. Weidl will interview for Fontenot’s old job, Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show reports.

With Ryan in charge of football matters, the Falcons’ GM gig is regarded as a secondary position. That means the Steelers could have blocked Weidl from interviewing with Atlanta, but they’ll instead allow him to discuss the position with Ryan & Co.

Weidl, a Pittsburgh native, began his career with the Steelers as a player personnel assistant in 1999. After working in scouting roles with the Saints and Ravens from 2000-16, he spent six years in the Eagles’ front office.

Weidl, who returned to the Steelers in 2022, crossed paths with Stefanski’s Browns twice in each of the past four seasons. The former AFC North rivals could soon join forces in Atlanta, where Stefanski will have input into the Falcons’ GM decision. While Ryan is atop the Falcons’ football department, he made it clear last week that he won’t meddle with either the head or GM once they’re in place.

“The final decisions that I am going to have to make is who we hire, but we are empowering (the HC and GM) to go out there and do their job and I have expressed that in the interviews that we have had,” Ryan said.

Before hiring Ryan in his new role, the Falcons interviewed Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner, Panthers executive vice president of operations Brandt Tilis, 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, and Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for the job. It’s unclear if Ryan will discuss the GM post with any of those four, but we know he’ll talk with Weidl.

3 comments Atlanta Falcons Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/20/26

By | at January 20, 2026 6:35 pm

Today’s reserve/futures deals:

Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • DB Doneiko Slaughter, OL Lorenzo Thompson

San Francisco 49ers

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