NFL Player News

So here are the facts on the ground: After the Giants game last week, Kyle Shanahan “acknowledged that Purdy likely wouldn’t return to full health at any point this season as he deals with turf toe.” Shanahan later said “Our dilemma or what we’re trying not to do is put him out in the situation we did versus Jacksonville six weeks ago ... I do believe he’s closer and further along than what he was at that time. Hopefully he’ll have a chance this week.” What does it mean to be healthy enough? Purdy certainly didn’t play well against the Jaguars in Week 4. But if he’s never going to be fully healthy again this season, it doesn’t take an expert between-the-lines reader to see a scenario where Mac Jones simply keeps starting every week. Especially if the 49ers continue losing and fall out of playoff contention. We’re not saying that this is what is going to happen. But it shouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers continue to start Jones. As Wagoner puts it: “Purdy could, hypothetically, reach 90% health but is that better than Jones at full strength? It would be easy enough for the 49ers to continue riding with Jones given the possibility Purdy could struggle or, worse, reaggravate the toe injury again.”

This hiring makes sense for all involved. McCoy, 53, concluded his 2013-2016 run as the Chargers’ head coach with a 27-37 record. He then served as the Broncos’ (2017) and Cardinals’ (2018) offensive coordinators in one-off campaigns before spending three seasons as the Jaguars’ quarterbacks coach. The Titans hired him as a senior offensive assistant last year and promoted him to interim head coach in-season. The Raiders’ first-time head coach, Klint Kubiak, will call plays offensively while learning how to handle his other, newfound responsibilities. McCoy can help teach Kubiak team management basics, among other things.

It sounds like the interview is happening today, though NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero did not specify when he broke the news. Jackson has coached wide receivers with six college teams and four NFL teams since entering the coaching ranks in 2008 after a short playing career with the Browns (2002-2006). He spent one season on the Jets’ practice squad. Jackson has served in his current role with the Seahawks since 2024, signing on in Seattle one year before former Seahawks OC and new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak arrived. He evidently made a good impression if Kubiak is already considering him for the Raiders’ offensive coordinator vacancy. Kubiak publicly confirmed that he accepted his new role on Monday.

Coen adds that Hunter was “bouncing around” the weight room the other day, celebrating the young player’s mental resilience as he recovers from a torn LCL. Coen also echoed general manager James Gladstone’s recent messaging regarding Hunter’s 2026 usage, indicating that the team’s positional needs will, at least partially, influence their decision-making regarding Hunter’s deployment. The coaching staff will remain “fluid” in assessing his offensive and defensive practice schedule this offseason. Whether Hunter takes on a fantasy-relevant role next season is currently unknown.

Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes that the Browns also interviewed Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the job. The Browns were initially expected to keep DC Jim Schwartz in the fold. After being passed over for their head coaching opening, Schwartz chose to resign from his position, meaning he will take the year off from coaching. Though the Browns are far from a functional franchise, the opportunity to coach Myles Garrett is one most young defensive coaches will pounce on. Undlin has been in the NFL for over two decades. He has one year of defensive coordinator experience and even coached in Cleveland for a few seasons early in his NFL days.

The former Notre Dame wideout entered the NFL as a third-round pick in 2019. He spent three years in Baltimore before joining the Steelers. He played primarily special teams in Pittsburgh. Boykin has bounced around various practice squads over the past two years. His career comes to a close with 38 catches for 498 yards and seven scores.

Murray is known for his prolific seven-year NFL career, lasting from 2011-2017. He won NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 with the Cowboys, also playing for the Eagles and Titans throughout his career. Murray has been a running backs coach at the college level, first for Arizona in 2019, and next for Oklahoma since 2020. The Chiefs will give him his first shot at coaching in the NFL. Murray will be the team’s new running backs coach under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Sorrentino spent the past four seasons with the Vikings, spending four seasons as the assistant wide receivers coach to a group consisting of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is building out his offensive staff and now adds Sorrentino to coach a wide receivers group hoping to get more out of Marvin Harrison Jr.

Mitchell played just one game with the Chiefs in 2025 before being released in December. He ended the season on the Patriots’ practice squad and the team has decided to bring him back for the offseason. Mitchell rushed for 963 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie with the 49ers but has struggled to find a role since. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson headline the Pats’ backfield, but Mitchell will get a chance to compete for a depth role this offseason.

Blackburn was fired by the Rams towards the end of the regular season after several losses were influenced by blunders on special teams. He had been with the team since 2023 but poor special teams showings marked a rough ending to his tenure. Blackburn will get a fresh start as an assistant in the special teams room with the Rams.

As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes, Philly retained Patullo after demoting him from offensive coordinator. The uncomfortable arrangement was not long for this world and Patullo will now head to South Beach. Patullo served as the Eagles’ OC for one year. The team went from seventh in scoring in 2024 to 19th in Patullo’s lone season on the headset. Between Patullo and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was also fired as an OC at his last stop, the Dolphins are putting together an awfully underwhelming staff under first-time head coach Jeff Hafley.