Latest On Titans’ General Manager Search
7:47pm: The Titans announced that they interviewed Martin Mayhew for their GM position today, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
Jaguars director of pro scouting Chris Polian will interview with the Titans on Friday for their open GM job, as Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com writes. Meanwhile, Buccaneers Director Player Personnel Jon Robinson has been given the OK to interview for the Titans’ GM job, Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune tweets. Robinson, a Tennessee native, was mentioned as a potential candidate for the job shortly after Ruston Webster was let go.
2:40pm: When we last checked in on the Titans’ hunt for a new general manager, the team was in the process of scheduling an interview with Giants vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross, and was aiming high by targeting Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta, who typically turns down requests for interviews.
Unsurprisingly, DeCosta has indeed declined the opportunity to interview for the GM position in Tennessee, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, who tweets that the veteran Ravens executive will be staying put in Baltimore. Presumably, the Titans expected that outcome, but figured it didn’t hurt to ask.
Along those same lines, the Titans are one of two teams – along with the Lions – that hopes to interview Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Paton is another executive who rarely explores the opportunity to leave his current organization, so it seems unlikely that he’ll pursue the Titans’ job, but it sounds like he hasn’t officially said no yet.
As for Ross, a candidate who definitely will be meeting with the Titans, his interview is scheduled for Thursday, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Josh McDaniels Interested In Titans’ Head Coaching Job
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is interested in the Titans’ head coaching position, sources tell ESPN’s John Clayton. McDaniels, 39, has been the the Patriots’ offensive coordinator since 2012 and has been linked to multiple head coaching vacancies this offseason. However, this is the first mention of him having an active interest in the Titans’ vacancy. 
[RELATED: 2016 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
So far, interim head coach Mike Mularkey is the only candidate who has been confirmed to have an interview set up with the team. Former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has been mentioned as a candidate and the same goes for ex-Falcons head coach Mike Smith, who has recently authored a book about the lessons he learned from his time on the sidelines in Atlanta. Chip Kelly, who was ousted by the Eagles earlier this month, reportedly has interest in the job as well.
The Titans fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt in November, after the team started the season 1-6 with No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota under center. GM Ruston Webster is also out of the picture now, giving the Titans a blank slate for both positions. The Titans are thought to be a very attractive job for available coaches as they have one of the game’s brightest young quarterbacks as well as the No. 1 pick in the 2016 Draft.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
North Notes: Tucker, Tobin, Steelers, Bears
Veteran kicker Justin Tucker is eligible for free agency this offseason, but it sounds like the Ravens plan to keep him in the fold. Tucker confirmed on Monday that negotiations between the team and his agent have been ongoing for quite some time, according to Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun.
“My agent [Robert Roche] and these guys have been talking, on and off, for a better part of a year, year and a half,” Tucker said. “At this juncture, I’m kind of letting it all just unfold how it’s going to unfold.
“I’m optimistic that something will get done, but at the same time, like I said, the only thing that I can really concern myself with as a player is just improving and making sure that wherever I end up, I know I’m going to end up where, God willing, I’m supposed to end up, but the only thing that I can take care of is my own personal business, and that’s making myself the best kicker possible.”
Tucker, 26, has been a little shakier during the last two seasons than he was in his first two years, missing five field goal attempts in 2014 and seven in 2015. However, all but one of those misses came from 50+ yards, and he converted all 29 of his extra-point tries in 2015, so he’ll be in line for a nice raise from Baltimore.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s North divisions:
- Bengals personnel chief Duke Tobin received requests for general manager interviews from both the Lions and Titans, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Schefter though, Tobin intends to remain in Cincinnati long-term.
- DeAngelo Williams may not be able to play against the Bengals this weekend, but the Steelers don’t intend to bring in a veteran running back for the game, head coach Mike Tomlin said today. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link), the Steelers would roll primarily with Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman if Williams can’t go.
- Bears general manager Ryan Pace, who is entering his second year as Chicago’s GM, says that he may have to rely on free agency more in the program’s early stages because of the team’s needs, tweets Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. Hopefully, the GM added, that reliance on free agency will diminish over time.
- Pace made some other interesting comments during his conversation this week with the media, giving quarterback Jay Cutler a vote of confidence and insisting there’s no rift between the team and tight end Martellus Bennett. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times has the story on the Bears‘ plans to build around Cutler, while Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com passes along the GM’s comments on Bennett.
Latest On Titans’ General Manager Search
The Titans don’t appear to have lined up any head coaching interviews yet, but the team has been active in pursuing possible candidates for its general manager opening. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), Giants vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross will interview for the Titans’ GM position.
[RELATED: Titans part ways with general manager Ruston Webster]
Ross, who is believed to be under consideration for other jobs, is in charge of the Giants’ draft, which has had its share of misses in recent years — particularly when Odell Beckham is removed from the equation. Still, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com writes that Ross is well regarded by the Fritz Pollard Alliance and by former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, who has consulted for multiple teams hiring GMs within the past few years.
In addition to Ross, Colts VP of football operations Jimmy Raye III is being targeted by the Titans, who hope to bring him in for an interview, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Tennessee is also aiming high by requesting to interview Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). DeCosta has long been considered the potential GM of the future in Baltimore, and has repeatedly turned down opportunities to interview with other clubs, preferring to remain with the Ravens. We’ll see if he contemplates interviewing for the Titans’ job, which has its pros (Marcus Mariota, the No. 1 overall pick) and cons (an uncertain ownership situation).
Coach Rumors: Rams, Eagles, Titans, Tomsula
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, but there may be changes coming to his coaching staff in the coming weeks, writes Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. A year ago, St. Louis was one of the last teams to make a change at offensive coordinator, and it doesn’t sound like Fisher is in a hurry to finalize changes this year either.
“We’ll start the evaluation process,” Fisher said. “Go back and we’ll discuss our restricted free agents, our unrestricted free agents and prioritize things from a coaching perspective. Then, we’ll get the ball rolling as far as the self-scouting and things like that. Separately from them, I’ll be dealing with when and if there’s going to be and potential staff changes.”
Rob Boras took over as the Rams’ interim offensive coordinator late in the season, and is a candidate to keep the job, but Fisher remains undecided on that position. As we wait to see which direction the team goes, let’s check in on a few more coaching-related notes from around the NFL…
- Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is on the Eagles‘ radar for a head coaching interview, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. Koetter has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Dolphins’ head coaching vacancy.
- The Titans have yet to request permission to interview any of the “hot” head coaching candidates, sources tell Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (Twitter link). Presumably, McCormick is referring to coordinators like Adam Gase, Teryl Austin, and Hue Jackson, among others. It seems that the club may be prioritizing its search for a general manager before seriously pursuing any head coaching candidates.
- After having been fired by the 49ers, Jim Tomsula should have plenty of opportunities around the NFL as either a defensive line coach or defensive coordinator, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who tweets that calls are “already coming in” for Tomsula.
- The Colts didn’t attempt to make a run at Alabama head coach Nick Saban before agreeing to an extension with Chuck Pagano, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio suggests that none of the current job openings are really an ideal fit for Saban, so rumors of his return to the NFL may be postponed for another year.
- Asked during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio if any of this year’s head coaching openings appeal to him, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher once again dismissed the idea of returning to the NFL (Twitter link). “I tell people all the time, I had the best job in football [and] I stepped down from it” Cowher said. “I’m very comfortable working at CBS right now.”
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/4/16
Now that the 2015 regular season is in the books, teams can begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts, adding those players to their 90-man offseason rosters. Generally, these players finished the season on a team’s practice squad, though some were free agents at season’s end.
Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:
Atlanta Falcons signed four players (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Matt Simms, QB
- C.J. Goodwin, WR
- Gus Johnson, RB
- Collin Rahrig, G
Baltimore Ravens signed seven players (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun):
- Brennen Beyer, LB
- Leon Brown, G
- Nordly Capi, DE
- Blaine Clausell, T
- Chuck Jacobs, WR
- Nick Perry, S
- Harold Spears, TE
Buffalo Bills signed seven players (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
- Cyril Richardson, G
- Phillip Thomas, S
- Blake Annen, TE
- Jacob Maxwell, TE
- Cedric Reed, DE
- Jonathan Dowling, S
- Ronald Patrick, C
Chicago Bears signed nine players (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune):
- De’Vante Bausby, CB
- Matt Blanchard, QB
- Cornelius Edison, C
- Paul Lasike, RB
- Marcus Lucas, WR/TE
- Danny Mason, LB
- Nathan Palmer, WR
- Gannon Sinclair, TE
- Martin Wallace, G/T
Cleveland Browns signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Sean Baker, DB
- Dan France, OT
- Garth Gerhart, C
- Connor Hamlett, TE
- Tim Scott, DB
- Dylan Wynn, DE
Dallas Cowboys signed eight players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Donte Foster, WR
- Mike McAdoo, DE
- Brandon McGee, DB
- Derek Akunne, LB
- Buddy Jackson, DB
- Ben Malena, RB
- Efe Obada, DE
- Keith Smith, LB
Denver Broncos signed four players (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9NEWS)
- Cyrus Gray, RB
- Jace Davis, WR
- B.J. Lowery, DB
- DeVier Posey, WR
Detroit Lions signed five players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Khaseem Greene, LB
- Casey Pierce, TE
- Ryan Spadola, WR
- Corey Washington, WR
- Tyrus Thompson, OT
Jacksonville Jaguars signed nine players (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union):
- Rasheed Bailey, WR
- Kadeem Edwards, OL
- Shaq Evans, WRt
- Ben Koyack, TE
- Rashad Lawrence, WR
- Sean Porter, LB
- Chris Reed, G
- Rashaad Reynolds, CB
- Earl Wolff, S
Miami Dolphins signed one player (link)
- Tyler Davis, WR
New Orleans Saints signed five players (link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune):
- Reggie Bell, WR
- Alden Darby, S
- Brandon Dixon, CB
- Cyril Lemon, G
- Bryan Witzmann, T
New York Giants signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Tavarres King, WR
- G.J. Kinne, QB
- Shane McDermott, C
- Leon McFadden, CB
- Tom Obarski, K
- Jake Rodgers, OT
Philadelphia Eagles signed seven players (Twitter link via team):
- Brett Boyko, G
- Malcolm Bunche, G
- Brandon Hepburn, LB
- Freddie Martino, WR
- Kevin Monangai, RB
- Travis Raciti, DE
- Deontae Skinner, LB
San Diego Chargers signed six players (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
- Richard Crawford, DB
- Brad Sorensen, QB
- Tim Semisch, TE
- Chuka Ndulue, DT
- Isaiah Burse, WR
- Ben Gardner, DE
Seattle Seahawks signed three players (Twitter link via Wilson)
- Andrew East, LS
- Ronnie Shields, TE
- Phillip Sims, QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed nine players (link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times):
- Josh Allen, G
- Andre Davis, WR
- Antoine Everett, G
- Ben Gottschalk, C
- Gerod Holliman, S
- Martin Ifedi, DE
- Derrick Lott, DT
- C.J. Roberts, CB
- Joel Ross, CB
Tennessee Titans signed five players (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com):
- David Fluellen, RB
- Kevin Greene, TE
- Nick Harwell, WR
- Josue Matias, G
- Will Poehls, T
Washington signs three players (link via team):
- Christo Bilukidi, DL
- Desmond Bishop, LB
- Jerrell Powe, DL
2016 Home And Away Opponents Named For All 32 NFL Teams
Earlier today, the NFL revealed the complete list of home and away opponents for NFL teams in the 2016 season. Dates for these games will not be revealed until the spring, but these are the teams that will be on each club’s schedule, including home and away designation:
Titans CEO On GM Search, Coaching Search
The latest on the Titans as they seek a new GM to replace Ruston Webster and examine their head coaching job, which may or may not be filled by interim coach Mike Mularkey:
- Titans CEO Steve Underwood says that over a dozen candidates – names people “would know” – have asked about interviewing for the team’s GM job, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com tweets. He added that the club has multiple in-house candidates for both the team’s coaching gig and the GM vacancy (link).
- Underwood says the Titans will not consider a head coach/GM in one role, a la Chip Kelly (Twitter link via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com).
- Underwood said he has 14 GM finalists but he may not interview all of them, McCormick tweets.
- The CEO said there were 155 coaching candidates after Ken Whisenhunt was fired and he’s trimming that list down now (link).
- The CEO said that Amy Adams Strunk and Kenneth Adams will join him in the interview process, along with Vin Marino, Jim Wyatt of The Tenneseean tweets.
- The team has never been for sale and is not for sale now, Underwood claims (link).
Titans Part Ways With GM Ruston Webster
The Titans will not renew the contract of general manager Ruston Webster, the team announced today in a press release. Tennessee will begin conducting searches for a new GM as well as a head coach, according to the team. Interim head coach Mike Mularkey will be among the candidates considered for the coaching vacancy, and will get an interview as part of the search process.
While Webster is no longer in the mix, and Mularkey’s future with the organization is uncertain, the Titans announced that Steve Underwood will serve as the club’s president and CEO on a permanent basis, with the interim tag removed from his title.
“Today, I am glad to announce that Steve Underwood will be continuing in his role as our president and chief executive officer on a permanent basis,” said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk in a statement. “I have had ongoing discussions with Steve on this issue for a while, and I feel his leadership is vital in order to move us forward. He has brought much-needed stability to our organization, and I look forward to progress that will be made under his leadership.”
Underwood will be leading the Titans’ dual searches for a GM and a head coach, while vice president of football administration Vin Marino will oversee the team’s football operations until a permanent GM is hired.
According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links), Titans college director Blake Beddingfield is worth keeping an eye on, since he’s highly regarded within the organization, and took on an increased role when Lake Dawson was let go. Breer adds that Buccaneers executive Jon Robinson, a Tennessee native, may also be a candidate for the Titans’ GM role.
As for Mularkey, multiple reports earlier today hinted that he may receive stronger consideration for the permanent head coaching position than initially expected. However, if the Titans decide to hire a general manager first, particularly one from outside the organization, that new GM may want to bring in his own head coach rather than sticking with Mularkey.
2016 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker
Several NFL teams are currently hunting for a new head coach, and amidst reports about interview requests and potential candidates, it’s easy to lose track of the latest updates in the shuffle. So we’ll use this space – which will be updated until every team has hired a new head coach – to keep track of the most recent news and rumors. It can be found on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”
Listed below are the head coaching candidates that have been linked to each of the teams with vacancies, along with their current status. If and when other teams decide to make head coaching changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here’s the current breakdown:
Updated 1-18-16 (1:12pm CT)
Cleveland Browns
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Hired
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Interviewed
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed
- Paul Guenther, defensive coordinator (Bengals): Was candidate to interview
- Jim Schwartz, former Lions head coach: Mentioned as candidate
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed; hired by Dolphins
- Jerome Henderson, defensive backs coach (Cowboys): Interviewed; remaining with Cowboys
- Chip Kelly, former Eagles head coach: Mentioned as candidate; hired by 49ers
Miami Dolphins
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Hired
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Anthony Lynn, assistant head coach (Bills): Interviewed
- Mike Shanahan, former NFL head coach: Interviewed
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Interviewed
- Dan Campbell, interim head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Was scheduled to interview; canceled
- Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): Requested interview
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Requested interview
- Todd Haley, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Mentioned as candidate
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Mentioned as candidate
- Jim Mora Jr., head coach (UCLA): Mentioned as candidate
New York Giants
- Ben McAdoo, offensive coordinator (Giants): Hired
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed; strong candidate?
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Interviewed
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): May interview
- Lovie Smith, former NFL head coach: Will be considered
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed; hired by Dolphins
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interview scheduled; hired by Browns
- Sean Payton, head coach (Saints): Remained with Saints
Philadelphia Eagles
- Doug Pederson, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Hired
- Pat Shurmur, interim head coach (Eagles): Interviewed
- Duce Staley, running backs coach (Eagles): Interviewed
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Expected to interview by end of week
- Paul Guenther, defensive coordinator (Bengals): Requested interview
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Expected to request interview
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Mentioned as candidate
- Jon Gruden, former NFL head coach: Gruden reportedly reached out
- Mike Shanahan, former NFL head coach: Shanahan expressed interest in job
- Tom Coughlin, former NFL head coach: Interviewed; Coughlin withdrew from consideration
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed; hired by Dolphins
- Ben McAdoo, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed; hired by Giants
- Sean Payton, head coach (Saints): Remained with Saints
- Kevin Sumlin, head coach (Texas A&M): Remained with Texas A&M
San Francisco 49ers
- Chip Kelly, former Eagles head coach: Hired
- Anthony Lynn, assistant head coach (Bills): Interviewed
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed
- John DeFilippo, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed; more likely OC than HC
- Tom Coughlin, former Giants head coach: Interviewed
- Mike Shanahan, former NFL head coach: Interview candidate; receiving strong consideration
- Mike Shula, offensive coordinator (Panthers): 49ers expressed interest
- Mike Holmgren, former NFL head coach: Holmgren expressed interest in job; 49ers haven’t contacted him
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed; hired by Browns
- Sean Payton, head coach (Saints): Remained with Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Hired
- Harold Goodwin, offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Mentioned as candidate
Tennessee Titans
- Mike Mularkey, interim head coach (Titans): Hired
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Ray Horton, defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed
- Jim Schwartz, former Lions head coach: Mentioned as candidate
- Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): McDaniels reportedly has interest in job; considered strong candidate
- Chip Kelly, former Eagles head coach: Kelly reportedly had interest in job; hired by 49ers
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Mentioned as candidate; hired by Buccaneers