Only two groups are left enjoying. The Patriots and Seahawks will meet in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.
Many extra golf equipment are nonetheless aboard the NFL’s coaching carousel.
Most latest high coaching developments:
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Friday supplied a shocker, because the Minnesota Vikings fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Thursday evening, the Falcons found their next general manager in Ian Cunningham, who was the assistant GM for the Bears.
Other coaching information that hit this week included:
HEAD COACHES HIRED
Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns
Head coaching report: First job, was Ravens offensive coordinator from 2023-25
Why he was employed: The Browns want somebody to repair a damaged and talent-deficient offense, they usually landed on Monken, who has spent the previous few seasons in Baltimore and in faculty at Georgia, the place he helped the Bulldogs win two nationwide championships as offensive coordinator. (He additionally served as Browns offensive coordinator in 2019.) Will all that have translate to turning round Cleveland? That stays to be seen, however there’s a giant offseason forward regardless in terms of bettering the roster on that aspect of the ball.
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Monken reportedly should discover a new defensive coordinator, after Jim Schwartz reportedly told coaches he’s not coming back after being handed over for the top coaching job. The Browns’ protection has been one of many league’s finest in two of the previous three seasons, so nailing a new hire whereas Monken focuses on rebooting the offense will likely be essential.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills
Head coaching report: First job, was Bills offensive coordinator from 2023-25
Why he was employed: On the floor, it’s a bizarre transfer at finest to fire head coach Sean McDermott, publicly state that coaching was a problem with the Bills’ roster … then flip round and promote a coach from that workers. To be truthful, Brady is a revered offensive thoughts who’s pretty famend for his creativity and maximization of expertise. To be blunt, he’s additionally a first-time head coach who doesn’t determine to upset the facility construction workforce proprietor Terry Pegula and basic supervisor Brandon Beane clearly have in place.
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Buffalo nonetheless has Josh Allen, and there’s little doubt Brady has performed a key position in growing him into an MVP-level quarterback 12 months in and 12 months out. McDermott’s administration of the roster, particularly on protection, maybe went underappreciated throughout his 9 seasons with the Bills, so whomever they hire as defensive coordinator is the subsequent key to observe. But actually, the Bills not making a Super Bowl on this period of the franchise has been because of poor luck as a lot as something. Maybe Brady is the person to get them over the hump.
Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers
Head coaching report: 174-112-2 common season, 11-11 playoffs, 5 seasons with Dallas Cowboys, 13 seasons with Green Bay Packers.
Why he was employed: Sure, it was some time in the past, however McCarthy has a Super Bowl ring for a cause — and it occurs to be the one one Aaron Rodgers has received in his stellar profession. McCarthy re-established his bona fides after his Packers run, main Dallas to the playoffs in three of his 5 seasons beneath Jerry Jones. He sat out the final hiring cycle, seemingly ready for the proper job. McCarthy grew up within the Pittsburgh space, so he is no stranger to the franchise’s lore.
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Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens
Head coaching report: First job, was Chargers defensive coordinator from 2024-25
Why he was employed: The Ravens could have fired John Harbaugh, however they’re staying inside his tree to interchange him. Minter spent 4 seasons as a defensive assistant in Baltimore beneath Harbaugh from 2017-2020 earlier than becoming a member of Harbaugh’s brother Jim because the University of Michigan’s defensive coordinator. After profitable a nationwide championship in Ann Arbor, he adopted Jim to the Chargers, the place he has spent the previous two seasons coordinating a protection that is completed top-10 in DVOA each years, incomes leaguewide respect for the unpredictability of his items and his play-calling prowess. Just 42 years previous, Minter was thought of one of many high candidates available on the market, particularly amongst first-time head coaches.
He steps right into a scenario the place the expectations could not be larger. Lamar Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP, the Ravens have top-end expertise nearly as good as anyone’s, and the one factor left for this iteration of the franchise is to succeed in the Super Bowl and win it. Minter appears to suit the invoice of a man who can try this. Baltimore is infamous for drafting and growing expertise and spending little on free brokers, so a coach like Minter who maximizes his gamers appears ideally positioned. Plus, Jackson ensures a excessive flooring on offense, so Minter can focus extra of his efforts on shoring up a protection that fell wanting expectations this previous season.
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It’s a wise swing — even when a Lombardi Trophy may be the one means the franchise gauges its success.
John Harbaugh, New York Giants
Head coaching report: 180-113 common season, 13-11 playoffs (together with a Super Bowl title), 18 seasons with Baltimore Ravens
Why he was employed: The Giants have had 4 full-time head coaches and two interims since Tom Coughlin resigned after the 2015 season, they usually’re fed up with the turnover. Harbaugh is 63, however he has a whole lot of juice left and figures to convey stability to a proud franchise that is fallen on a number of the hardest instances it is ever confronted. (The Giants’ 59 wins since 2015 are the second-fewest within the NFL, forward of solely the Jets).
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There’s expertise to develop on the roster between QB Jaxson Dart (who would possibly sync effectively with Harbaugh’s preferred offensive coordinator, Todd Monken), RB Cam Skattebo, WR Malik Nabers, LT Andrew Thomas, and a protection that features DT Dexter Lawrence and edge rushers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. There’s additionally a basic supervisor in Joe Schoen, as Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson explained, who was apparently prepared to cede personnel decision-making to Harbaugh regardless of the nominal hierarchy contained in the franchise. And workforce proprietor John Mara, one of many extra influential voices within the league, revealed he is battling an undisclosed type of most cancers final September, which doubtless emboldened the will for a head coach to return in and command respect instantly.
The Giants have floundered for years, however touchdown the coach broadly considered as the most effective available on the market brings again immediate credibility. Now we’ll see how shortly they will win collectively.
Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons
Head coaching report: 45-56 common season, 1-2 playoffs, six seasons with Cleveland Browns
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Why he was employed: Stefanski was one of many high names available on the market, with the NFL at giant taking a look at extra than simply his wins and losses with the Browns whereas making an attempt to carry a struggling franchise into playoff competition. Sound acquainted, Atlanta? Stefanski’s offensive acumen is a hybrid of a number of schemes and coaching timber, which may help new president of football Matt Ryan kind via the expertise the Falcons have on that aspect of the ball (together with Kirk Cousins, whom Stefanski coached in Minnesota). They’re additionally retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich after the Falcons’ protection made large strides this season.
Stefanski as head coach and offensive mastermind, with Ulbrich sticking round to proceed constructing his aspect of the ball? That’s a stable recipe going ahead, even when the reply at quarterback and no first-round decide this spring current important challenges. If workforce proprietor Arthur Blank is lastly prepared to be affected person and let this undertaking play out, Stefanski might finish the Falcons’ eight-year playoff drought prior to anticipated, particularly in a weak NFC South.
Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins
Head coaching report: First job, was Packers defensive coordinator from 2024-25
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Why he was employed: The direct connection is Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was hired as Dolphins general manager on Jan. 9 after spending over 20 years within the Packers’ group, most lately as vice chairman of participant personnel.
As for the broader match? Well, the Dolphins have proven to be a less attractive option amongst coaching candidates this cycle than beforehand anticipated, Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reported, based mostly largely on the wage cap cleanup required because the workforce strikes on from Tua Tagovailoa. With John Harbaugh off the board, Hafley is probably the most logical subsequent transfer, maybe for each events. Hafley has head coaching expertise at Boston College from 2020-23, he improved Green Bay’s defenses the final two seasons, and Miami would do effectively to lean on that aspect of the ball — to not point out star RB De’Von Achane and an bettering O-line — whereas the Dolphins attempt to kind out the QB scenario in what now seems to be like a multi-season undertaking.
Hafley is taken into account to be one of many stronger candidates available on the market, and the Dolphins did not fiddle in securing their very best end result.
Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans
Head coaching report: 20-36, fired 5 video games into fourth season with New York Jets
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Why he was employed: The basic consensus across the league is Saleh’s failures with the Jets had been largely out of his management, and he’s had good defenses wherever he’s been. He’ll reportedly name defensive performs in Tennessee, so it’ll be fascinating to see who the Titans hire on the offensive workers to proceed growing Cam Ward, who appeared an increasing number of promising as his rookie season went on.
Most of all, nonetheless, Saleh figures to assist stabilize a Titans franchise that’s on its second basic supervisor and now second head coach (third counting interim) since firing Mike Vrabel after the 2023 season. It’s somewhat shocking Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t get the job, contemplating his availability and ties to GM Mike Borgonzi from their time collectively in Kansas City, however maybe Nagy is in play for a similar place now that Saleh has been tabbed. Either means, Saleh is the sort of agency, even-keeled chief who might go a good distance towards halting all of the shedding in Tennessee.
FIRED
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans (in season)
Brian Daboll, New York Giants (in season)
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
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RESIGNED
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL coaching information dwell weblog
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Tarohn Finley
The Washington Commanders reportedly moved on from assistant linebackers coach Ryan Kerrigan, defensive go recreation coordinator Jason Simmons, assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd and participant improvement coach Pete Ohnegian, in accordance with the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.
Kerrigan has coached in Washington since 2022 and was the profession sack chief for the franchise. Simmons is reportedly leaving for another coaching opportunity, probably in Pittsburgh. Ohnegian and former Vikings defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd spent the final two years on the Commanders’ workers.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn changed former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. with former Vikings defensive backs coach & go recreation coordinator Daronte Jones. Last season, the Commanders ranked because the worst workforce in defensive yards allowed per recreation and had been solely higher than the Jets in compelled turnovers, with 10.
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Tarohn Finley
The Buffalo Bills employed former Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael to the identical position, in accordance with the team.
Carmichael spent a few years working beneath Broncos head coach Sean Payton in Denver and New Orleans. He overlapped with the Bills’ head coach Joe Brady on the Saints workers in 2017 and 2018.
Carmichael will convey 26 years of expertise to the first-year head coach, additionally working for the Chargers, Washington and Cleveland earlier than his stops in New Orleans and Denver.
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Tarohn Finley
The Atlanta Falcons will reportedly hire Los Angeles Rams’ senior offensive assistant Alex Van Pelt because the workforce’s quarterback coach, in accordance with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Van Pelt served because the offensive coordinator of the Browns beneath Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski from 2020 to 2023.
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Andy Backstrom
A day after the Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, information of extra modifications broke. These are additions, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, who reported Saturday that head coach Kevin O’Connell has employed former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as his assistant head coach. O’Connell can be reportedly selling Keith Carter to offensive line coach.
Smith labored beneath McDaniel in Miami and can now help the Vikings’ run-game planning, per Rapoport.
Additionally, the NFL Media insiders reported that the Vikings will make Gerald Alexander the defensive backs coach and defensive go recreation coordinator. Former Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will function each the defensive line coach and the defensive run recreation coordinator.
Alexander coached with the Steelers defensive backs, whereas Nielsen served as a senior defensive assistant for the Bills final season. These are all modifications that occurred after former Vikings defensive backs coach & go recreation coordinator Daronte Jones left to change into the Commanders’ defensive coordinator.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Buffalo Bills coach Joe Brady has discovered a defensive coordinator for his new workers: Jim Leonhard, who helped develop the Denver Broncos’ formidable defensive unit.
Leonhard, who had curiosity from a number of groups throughout this hiring cycle, has agreed to join the Bills, according to multiple reports.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers employed former Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to the identical position, in accordance with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Graham, 47, has spent the final three seasons with the Raiders, following single seasons because the defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants
Graham coached in Green Bay beneath Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy as a linebackers coach and run recreation coordinator in 2018.
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The Baltimore Ravens reportedly have employed Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator Declan Doyle for a similar position, in accordance with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Doyle will tackle play-calling duties in Baltimore, which was not a part of his position in Chicago.
In his first 12 months because the Bears’ offensive coordinator, Doyle helped lead Chicago to their first NFC North title since 2018.
Doyle reportedly was additionally into consideration for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator emptiness earlier than withdrawing. The Eagles employed Sean Mannion on Thursday.
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The Buffalo Bills reportedly employed Arizona Cardinals particular groups coordinator Jeff Rodgers for a similar position, in accordance with the Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Rodgers has labored for the Cardinals since 2018 and has additionally hung out with the Broncos, Bears, Panthers, 49ers, University of Arizona and Kansas State.
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Baltimore Ravens run-game coordinator Travis Switzer is reportedly thought of a frontrunner for the Cleveland Browns’ offensive coordinator opening and can interview for the job quickly, in accordance with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Switzer has spent the final 9 seasons with the Ravens and performed heart on the University of Akron.
Switzer has spent the final two seasons with the new Cleveland Browns coach, Todd Monken.
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Sean Leahy
The Minnesota Vikings have fired basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after 4 seasons, the team announced on Friday.
Vikings homeowners Mark and Zygi Wilf put out a statement on Friday saying that it was in “the best interest of the team” to maneuver on from Adofo-Mensah and that government vice chairman of soccer operations Rob Brzezinski will lead the operations group via the 2026 NFL Draft.
Following the conclusion of the draft, there will likely be a seek for a new GM.
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Sean Leahy
Tanney, 38, performed for the Giants from 2018-2020 on the finish of his NFL profession. He served as offensive high quality management coach and quarterbacks coach with the Eagles from 2021-2023. The previous two seasons he is been he Colts’ offensive passing recreation coordinator.
Cooter, 41, has been the Colts’ offensive coordinator since 2023. He’s been an offensive coach for seven NFL groups since getting his begin in Indianapolis in 2009.
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Sean Leahy
The 35-year-old Grizzard was fired earlier this month after one season because the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. Prior to working the Tampa offense he served was the workforce’s go recreation coordinator earlier than being promoted.
Grizzard acquired his NFL coaching begin in 2017 and served as offensive high quality management coach, high quality management coach, and broad receivers coach for the Dolphins from 2017-2023.
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After the workforce fired Joe Whitt Jr. after the season, Washington discovered his substitute in Daronte Jones, who spent the previous few seasons with the Minnesota Vikings as defensive backs coach and go recreation coordinator.
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Sean Leahy
The 54-year-old Carmichael had been a senior offensive assistant with the Broncos the previous two seasons. He has loads of expertise as an NFL offensive coordinator having accomplished so with the Saints from 2009-2023.
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After the withdrawal of Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero might be within the combine for the Raiders head coaching opening. Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak remains to be reportedly the title mostly linked to the Raiders.
Evero has spent three seasons with the Panthers and has led two high 10 defenses with the workforce. Evero has additionally hung out because the Broncos defensive coordinator and coaching beneath Sean McVay with the Rams.
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The Kansas City Chiefs requested to interview Las Vegas Raiders working again coach Deland McCullough for his or her working again coach place. McCullough was the Chiefs’ working backs coach from 2018 to 2020 beneath head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
He additionally hung out because the working backs coach at Notre Dame, the University of Indiana and USC.
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Andy Backstrom
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Andy Backstrom
The Los Angeles Rams have employed former Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts particular groups coordinator Bubba Ventrone, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Special groups had been the Rams’ Achilles’ heel this season. Of L.A.’s six complete losses, 4 featured particular groups gaffes, together with Sunday’s critical fumble by returner Xavier Smith within the NFC championship.
Ventrone, a standout particular teamer for the Browns and San Francisco 49ers throughout his enjoying days, spent the previous three seasons not solely as Cleveland’s ST coordinator but in addition as Kevin Stefanski’s assistant head coach. Now he’ll hyperlink up with Sean McVay.
