Black Monday is a sobering event in the NFL — coaches are fired, families will be uprooted, and changes are made throughout organizations across the league. We’ll be bringing you the latest NFL news and rumors as they happen, so keep coming back throughout the day.
The information below is listed in order of newest information first. Each section has the timestamp as to when it was last updated. Be sure to also bookmark our 2023 NFL Head Coach and General Manager Interview Tracker, which will be updated constantly until every opening is filled.
Latest NFL News and Rumors
Arizona Cardinals
The latest Cardinals news and rumors were last updated on January 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Cardinals Request Permission to Speak with Sean Payton
The Cardinals have requested permission to speak with Sean Payton. Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Payton has been doing homework on the Arizona job. Pelissero notes that “he’s a Kyler Murray fan, and with no GM in place, it’d be an opportunity to set up the whole operation.”
DeAndre Hopkins on the Trade Block
The Score’s Jordan Schultz reports that the Cardinals will try to trade All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. Hopkins has two years and $34.36M left on his contract. He does have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he will have a prominent voice in this process.
Kliff Kingsbury Out as Head Coach
Shortly before 12 p.m. ET, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Arizona Cardinals have fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Just 10 months ago, he signed a contract extension through the 2027 season. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill has been doing extensive research for the past several weeks, per numerous sources. Bidwill also said during his Monday press conference that QB Kyler Murray will have input on the next head coach.
Who’s Interviewing for the HC job?
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says that current Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will get a long look for the head coach position. We have more on the top Cardinals head coach candidates.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim Steps Down
The Cardinals also announced that general manager Seve Keim has decided to step away from his position to focus on his health. Thus far, they’ve requested permission to interview 49ers’ Director of Pro Personnel Ran Carthon, 49ers’ Assistant General Manager Adam Peters, Bears Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham, and Titans Director of Player Personnel Monti Ossenfort.
They also completed interviews with in-house candidates, Quentin Harris (VP of Player Personnel) and Adrian Wilson (VP of Pro Personnel).
Houston Texans
The latest Texans news and rumors were last updated on January 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Texans Request to Interview Sean Payton
In addition to the Broncos and Cardinals, the Texans have requested to speak with Sean Payton for their head coach position. Per NFL rules, they cannot formally interview Payton until Jan. 17.
Texans Request to Interview Several HC Candidates
Thus far, the Texans have requested to interview the following: Eagles OC Shane Steichen, Lions OC Ben Johnson, 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans, Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon, Broncos DC Ejiro Evero, and Giants OC Mike Kafka.
Here are our top five candidates to replace Lovie Smith in Houston, with Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon an early favorite to land the job.
Lovie Smith Fired
Late Sunday evening, the Houston Texans announced that they fired head coach Lovie Smith. Smith follows another one-and-done head coach in Houston after David Culley was fired after the season last year. Houston was 3-13-1 under Smith, including a victory over the Colts in Week 18 that saw them lose the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders
The latest Commanders news and rumors were last updated on January 10 at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Commanders Fire Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner
The Commanders announced that they have fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner. Head Coach Ron Rivera released the following statement: “I met with Coach Turner today and informed him that we will be moving in another direction going forward with the offensive coordinator position,” Rivera said.
“Unfortunately, we did not live up to the expectations and standard that I expected to see from our offensive unit. I felt it was best for a fresh start at the coordinator position heading into next year. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Scott and thanked him for his three years of service to our organization. I wish Scott and his family all the best in the future.”
Los Angeles Rams
The latest Rams news and rumors were last updated on January 10 at 5:35 p.m. ET.
McVay Allowing Assistants to Search For Other Jobs
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that McVay has granted permission to his coaching staff to search for other jobs without resistance. Per Fowler, McVay told staff that he doesn’t know what he will do next year and won’t block those who wish to explore other opportunities.
Sean McVay’s Future In Doubt
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McVay’s future with the Rams is in doubt. Sources tell Schefter that McVay will take some time after Sunday’s regular-season games against the Seattle Seahawks to figure out if he will return for the 2023 season.
McVay has had several personal and professional circumstances arise in the past year, all of which are weighing on him during this process. McVay, at just 36 years old, would likely stun many by walking away.
FOX’s Jay Glazer said that many in the organization expect McVay to leave, and it won’t take too long after the conclusion of the regular season.
After winning the Super Bowl last year, the Rams were hit with a slew of injuries and do not have a first-round draft pick for the next several years. Plus, they are up against the 2023 salary cap, and changes to the coaching staff are expected. All of this will be in play as McVay considers his future.
If McVay walks away, the Rams will control his rights through the end of his contract, which is the end of the 2026 regular season.
Indianapolis Colts
The latest Colts news and rumors were last updated on January 10 at 1:07 p.m. ET.
Colts Request Interviews With Several HC Candidates
The Colts have submitted requests to the Lions to interview defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for their head coaching job. They’ve also requested permission to interview Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, and Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
The Colts are expected to conduct a wide search for their next head coach. There is no word yet if interim HC Jeff Saturday will be interviewed.
Carolina Panthers
The latest Panthers news and rumors were last updated on January 10 at 1:07 p.m. ET.
Panthers Request Permission to Interview Several Candidates
Late Monday, multiple media reports noted that the Panthers had requested permission to talk to Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
On Tuesday, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Panthers requested an interview with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Panthers Set to Interview a Number of Candidates
With the Panthers’ season now over, they’ll turn their attention to its head coaching search. FOX’s Jay Glazer reported that Jim Harbaugh has already talked to Panthers owner David Tepper.
Glazer also reported that they will interview former Colts head coach Frank Reich. Of course, they’ll also interview interim head coach Steve Wilks. Additionally, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that Jim Caldwell interviewed with the team on Monday.
Tennessee Titans
The latest Titans news and rumors were last updated on January 9 at 8:53 p.m. ET.
Titans Fire Four Assistant Coaches
On Monday afternoon, the Titans fired four assistant coaches – OC Todd Downing, OL Coach Keith Carter, Secondary Coach Anthony Midget, and Offensive Skill Assistant Erik Frazier.
Titans Request Permission to Interview Several GM Candidates
Tennesse has begun the process of finding their next general manager. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that they’ve requested to interview the following:
- Glenn Cook
Cleveland Browns Assistant General Manager - Ian Cunningham
Chicago Bears Assistant General Manager - Ryan Cowden
Titans Interim General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel - Monti Ossenfort
Titans Director of Player Personnel - Adam Peters
49ers Assistant General Manager - Ran Carthon
49ers Director of Pro Personnel - Malik Boyd
Bills Senior Director of Pro Personnel - Quentin Harris
Cardinals Vice President of Player Personnel
Denver Broncos
The latest Broncos news and rumors were last updated on January 9 at 5:41 p.m. ET.
Broncos Complete Interviews With Jim Harbaugh and Ejiro Evero
The Denver Broncos are going to be busy as they look for their next head coach. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that they conducted a virtual interview on Monday with University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. On Tuesday (today), they will be interviewing current defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Broncos Request to Interview Several HC Candidates
They’ve also requested permission to interview Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. SI’s Albert Breer notes that Morris will interview with the Broncos on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
All Eyes Remain on Sean Payton
But all eyes will be on Sean Payton. Multiple reports, including this one from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, state that the Broncos have received permission from the New Orleans Saints to interview Payton for their head-coaching vacancy. Further, the two teams appear to understand and agree on what the trade compensation would look like. NFL rules state that Jan. 17 is the first date an in-person interview would be permitted.
MORE: Where Will Sean Payton Coach in 2023?
There is no deal in place, but the Broncos are expected to meet the Saints’ asking price, which is rumored to be a first-round draft pick and more. Conversations are at their initial stages between the Broncos and Saints, but a prerequisite for the Saints granting permissions to teams to interview Payton was that the other team would need to agree to the compensation first.
Since Payton is under contract with the Saints, New Orleans controls his rights and, thus, will be a major player in the Payton sweepstakes. Here’s more on Payton and his coaching career.
Cleveland Browns
The latest Browns news and rumors were last updated on January 9 at 12:37 p.m. ET.
Browns Moving Fast to Request DC Interviews
Several hours after Joe Woods was fired, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Browns have requested an interview with Patriots linebacker coach Jerod Mayo and former Dolphins head coach and current Steelers LB coach Brian Flores. They’ve also requested permission to interview Seahawks associate head coach for defense Sean Desai and former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz.
Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods Fired
On Monday morning, the Cleveland Browns announced that they have relieved defensive coordinator Joe Woods of his duties. The Browns gave up 331.5 yards per game and 22.4 points per game, which ranked them about the middle of the pack in the league.
Atlanta Falcons
The latest Falcons news and rumors were last updated on January 9 at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Falcons Defensive Coordinator Retires
Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees informed players this morning that he was retiring. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Falcons expect to cast a wide net and search for their next defensive coordinator.
Falcons Announce Front Office Movement
In other Falcons news, they named Greg Beadlers their new president. Rich McKay will remain CEO of the Falcons with continued oversight over football operations. Additionally, he will assume CEO duties for AMBSE, the parent company of the Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and MLS Atlanta United.
New England Patriots
The latest Patriots news and rumors were last updated on January 9 at 9:53 a.m. ET.
Bill Belichick to Return For 24th Season
In a press conference earlier this morning, Bill Belichick announced that he’ll be back for his 24th season as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Belichick did not offer any hints about the future of his coordinators, especially on the offensive side with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.
“Every decision that we’ve made has always been with the intent to do the best thing for the football team,” Belichick said. “That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s what it will be going forward,” he said. “At different decision points, you have different opportunities. As those go along, or come along, we’ll continue to evaluate them.”