The end of the NFL season always brings plenty of news and rumors regarding head coaches, players, and teams. Following Black Monday, the NFL world is full of whispers, rumors, and requests for interviews for several intriguing potential head coaches. Let’s examine where things stand Tuesday morning, as well as keep you up to date with all the latest news and rumors throughout the day.
NFL news and rumors on Tuesday revolve around potential head coaches
With the playoffs still five days away, the NFL world remains largely focused on the events of Black Monday and the searches that six teams are undergoing for their new head coaches. Let’s go team by team and update you on where things currently stand regarding those head coach searches and other news and rumors around the league.
The Chicago Bears are searching for both a head coach and a general manager
It is going to be a busy few days for NFL news in Chicago as the franchise looks for both a head coach and a general manager. We already know of eight potential head coaches that could get interviews in Chicago, with rumors around other coaching candidates likely to come throughout Tuesday. So far, the candidates the Bears have requested or are set to interview with are:
- Leslie Frazier
Bills Defensive Coordinator - Todd Bowles
Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator - Byron Leftwich
Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator - Doug Pederson
Former Eagles Head Coach - Brian Daboll
Bills Offensive Coordinator - Matt Eberflus
Colts Defensive Coordinator - Brian Flores
Former Miami Dolphins head coach - Dan Quinn
Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
Chicago is also starting to request interviews for general manager candidates to replace Ryan Pace. These names will naturally garner less attention, with the GM position being less high profile. However, expect to see more names trickle in across the week. Here are the executives that have been publicly requested so far:
- Glenn Cook
Browns VP of Player Personnel - Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Browns VP of Football Operations - Ed Dodds
Colts Assistant General Manager - Jeff Ireland
Saints Assistant General Manager - Morocco Brown
Colts Director of College Scouting - Ran Carthon
49ers Director of Player Personnel - Joe Schoen
Bills Assistant General Manager
Denver Broncos casting a wide net in their head coach search
The Broncos got a slight jump on the other teams when they fired Vic Fangio on Sunday while the other clubs were still to play their final game. They have been busy, with nine requests put out, including both defensive- and offensive-minded coaches. Here is the complete list of candidates as it stands:
- Jerod Mayo
Patriots LB Coach - Dan Quinn
Cowboys Defensive Coordinator - Nathaniel Hackett
Packers Offensive Coordinator - Luke Getsy
Packers QB Coach/Passing Game Coordinator - Kellen Moore
Cowboys Offensive Coordinator - Eric Bieniemy
Chiefs Offensive Coordinator - Jonathan Gannon
Eagles Defensive Coordinator - Aaron Glenn
Lions Defensive Coordinator - Kevin O’Connell
Rams Offensive Coordinator
The request for Luke Getsy is a fascinating one as he is a relatively unknown name. However, as PFN Insider Adam Beasley discussed earlier on Tuesday, Getsy could be interviewed as part of a potential plan to hire Nathaniel Hackett as head coach, with Getsy as the offensive coordinator.
No news yet on David Culley future as an NFL head coach in Houston
It appears as though the Texans will take their time before making any moves. Rumors around the NFL on Sunday were that the coaching positions and the entire football operation would be reviewed after the season. That review could take a few days, so we could see David Culley out of his job later in the week.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the middle of their head coaching search
The Jaguars began the process of requesting and interviewing head coaches a couple of weeks ago. They have a total of 10 candidates that have either been interviewed or that they have requested and are planning to interview. The six reported interviews that have been completed are with Darrell Bevell, Byron Leftwich, Todd Bowles, Kellen Moore, Jim Caldwell, and Doug Pederson.
On Tuesday morning, they also requested an interview with Colts DC Matt Eberflus. He joins a list of Dan Quinn, Bill O’Brien, and Nathaniel Hackett in terms of interviews the Jaguars could complete this week.
However, Quinn said that he would not interview until after the season. It will be interesting to see if that means he will not interview until the Cowboys are potentially out of the playoffs.
One thing to watch in Jacksonville is the report from PFN’s NFL Insider Tony Pauline that the Jaguars are not only looking for an offensive-minded head coach who could change the culture of the franchise, but could also consider Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. Pauline reported that the Jaguars might even secure Fangio first and then pair their head coach with him.
We likely will not hear from the Las Vegas Raiders until their playoff push is over
The Raiders’ playoff berth has somewhat delayed their head coaching search. After Jon Gruden resigned in the middle of the season, Rich Bisaccia has been the interim head coach. He has done a commendable job but is not assured of a full-time role. One name that has been thrown into the frame is that of Michigan head coach Jon Harbaugh.
On January 8, Pauline noted that Harbaugh to the Raiders is more than just a rumor: “Sources tell me the Raiders are Harbaugh’s choice of franchises.” Multiple sources tell Pauline the Chicago Bears will also make a push for Harbaugh, but the Michigan coach has his heart set on the Silver and Black. It appears as though Harbaugh really is looking to head back into the world of the NFL.
The Miami Dolphins shocked everyone when they fired Brian Flores
The firing of Brian Flores was the most surprising NFL news on Black Monday. After back-to-back winning seasons, many expected Flores to be safe. However, as Beasley reported, relationships between Flores and others in the franchise were strained.
One thought process was that Harbaugh was a potential candidate for the Dolphins. However, in a statement to the press on Monday, Stephen Ross said that as a Michigan alum, he would not be chasing Harbaugh. The only confirmed request we have seen so far from the Dolphins is for Bills OC Brian Daboll.
Minnesota Vikings appear to be taking their time as they search for GM and head coach candidates
After the Vikings fired both head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman, things have been quiet in Minnesota. So far, we have not seen any confirmed requests, but as more NFL news comes out Tuesday, we could see the Vikings get active in their search. Until we have more news from Minnesota, check out three HC candidates Beasley thinks could be a good fit in Minnesota.
New York Giants dominated the news on Monday for their decision to keep HC Joe Judge, but fired him on Tuesday
Joe Judge has been fired by the New York Giants. Announcing the firing of Judge, team president John Mara made the following statement:
“Steve (Tisch) and I both believe it is in the best interest of our franchise to move in another direction. We met with Joe yesterday afternoon to discuss the state of the team. I met again with Joe this afternoon, and it was during that conversation I informed Joe of our decision. We appreciate Joe’s efforts on behalf of the organization.
“I said before the season started that I wanted to feel good about the direction we were headed when we played our last game of the season. Unfortunately, I cannot make that statement, which is why we have made this decision.
“We will hire a general manager and that person will lead the effort to hire a new head coach.”
The Seattle Seahawks are yet to make a firm decision on Pete Carroll
It never seemed likely that Pete Carroll would be dumped by the Seahawks on Black Monday. His tenure there deserves a more dignified end, but that does not mean it will not come. Carroll is reportedly set to meet with senior figures in the franchise, as he does every year. We could see more NFL coaching news coming out of Seattle in the coming days.