NFL Player News

The Lions will be without one of their premier offensive linemen against an aggressive Kansas City pass rush that currently ranks sixth in blitz rate at over 32%. That could lead to a more ball-out-quick offensive structure, likely benefiting both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs through the air. The team also downgraded DB Avonte Maddox (hamstring) and OL Giovanni Manu (knee) to out.

Gannon lasted three years as the Cardinals’ head coach before the team fired him at the end of the 2025 season. Gannon’s defenses finished 31st, 15th, and 29th in points allowed. While the Cardinals undoubtedly lacked talent on Gannon’s side of the ball, his inability to string two decent seasons together on defense was one of the many reasons Arizona showed him the door. Gannon is replacing Jeff Hafley, who was hired as the Dolphins’ head coach. The hope is that with a full cupboard on defense, headlined by Micah Parsons, Gannon will get better results in Green Bay.

Nix’s broken ankle was devastating news for the Broncos as they came out of the Divisional Round. The silver lining is that he should be ready for the team’s offseason program and the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue. According to Schefter, “The recovery, not the surgery, is thought to be the most challenging part of this injury.” Nix will not be able to put weight on his ankle for a month, putting to bed any notion of a Super Bowl miracle. Jarrett Stidham will draw the start in the AFC Championship game versus the Patriots. He will also start in the Super Bowl if the Broncos win today.

Rutenberg worked under new Titans boss Robert Saleh in New York as the team’s linebackers coach. He had previously worked with him in San Francisco before Saleh brought him to the Jets. The Falcons finished 13th in EPA per dropback allowed and 12th in passing yards per game allowed. The solid season in Atlanta and his ties to Saleh make Rutenberg the favorite to land Tennessee’s DC gig.

Lynn met with the Cleveland brass on Saturday night in Florida. He spoke with the Bills about their head coaching vacancy earlier in the day. Lynn spent four years as the Chargers’ head coach, going 33-31 with one playoff victory. He worked in Detroit as their OC for a year after that. Lynn is respected in league circles but doesn’t fit the archetype of the young offensive wunerdkind that most teams are looking for these days. Still, he could get a second chance at leading a team, particularly in Cleveland, where several candidates have already pulled out of the running.

Texans DC Matt Burke is reportedly pushing for Vasso to get the promotion. It’s unclear if Vasso would actually get to call plays under defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh, but it would inarguably be a promotion. 38-year-old Vasso has been bouncing around NFL coaching staffs since 2013, starting under Andy Reid in Kansas City.

Alrighty then. The former Titans OC and Falcons head coach had been riding the NFL interview circuit, meeting with clubs about both head-coaching and play-calling vacancies, but evidently wasn’t gaining the traction he hoped for. He now (reportedly) heads to what has become a coaching turnaround factory in Columbus, somewhat hilariously forming a coordinating tandem with Matt Patricia. 43-year-old Smith has extremely limited NCAA experience aside from low-level, one-year stints at UNC and Ole Miss. It’s not an amazing hire on paper, but talent trumps all at OSU. Smith will have enough of it to be positioned for success.

Slowik drew fleeting interest in the offensive coordinator market after a failed stint in the same position with the Texans, interviewing with the Eagles and Dolphins for their respective vacancies. He ultimately remained with the Dolphins following a year as their senior passing game coordinator, giving the Kyle Shanahan protege his second look at play calling duties at the professional level.

Hollins makes his return from injured reserve in time to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship game, likely returning to a semi-featured role due to his run-blocking abilities. It is likely we see undrafted free agent Efton Chism the odd man out due to Hollins’ return, with DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams joining Hollins, Stefon Diggs, and Kayshon Boutte as the active wide receivers come Sunday. Hollins’ red zone acumen and deep-threat abilities warrant consideration in DFS on the short slate.

Daboll has made his rounds during this coaching cycle, apparently drawing significant interest from multiple franchises in need of either a head coach or offensive coordinator. Still no hire, but the former Giants head coach appears to be close to landing on his feet after being fired during the 2025 regular season.

Pelissero reported yesterday that he believed that veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be most likely to play for one coach in 2026, naming Mike McCarthy as that coach. Not 24 hours later and the Steelers are reportedly working to hire McCarthy as their next head coach following the departure of Mike Tomlin. The dominoes certainly appear to be falling into place to get the franchise what they want, which appears to be Aaron Rodgers for another season. McCarthy last served as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys between 2020 and 2024 but coached Rodgers for 13 years in Green Bay at the beginning of the aging veteran’s career. It also serves as a homecoming for the 62-year-old coach, who grew up in the Pittsburgh area.