Latest News & Rumors on Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Vrabel, Jon Gruden, Ben Johnson, and More

The 2023 NFL regular season has concluded, and Black Monday is here, offering teams an opportunity to start fresh by firing incumbent head coaches and general managers and searching for new options. We’ll bring the latest NFL news and rumors as they happen, so return here throughout the day.

Latest NFL News and Rumors

Panthers Release List of Nine Candidates

The Panthers have requested permission to interview the following coaches:

• Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
• Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
• Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
• Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
• Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald
• Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
• Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
• Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
• Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales

Todd Munken Gaining Traction As Mike Caldwell Is Fired

According to Ian Rapoport, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Munken has received requests to interview for head coach openings with both the Chargers and Panthers. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have made a coaching change, firing defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell. This comes after the team collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs.

Jon Gruden Could Join Saints’ Staff?

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden is a candidate to join the Saints’ offensive staff, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com. Gruden would likely become an additional voice on the club’s coaching roster rather than a replacement for incumbent offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, per Duncan.

Gruden met with the Saints multiple times during the summer, then attended a team meeting and dined with New Orleans’ staff before the team’s Week 17 game against the Buccaneers, as Duncan reported today.

The Saints had previously sought Gruden’s advice after signing QB Derek Carr, whom Gruden coached with the Raiders before resigning in 2021 after racist and homophobic emails he’d sent became public. Gruden won Super Bowl 38 as Tampa Bay’s head coach.

Panthers Want to Interview Bengals OC Brian Callahan, Begin GM Requests

The Panthers have put in a request to meet with Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, as NFL Network reported on Monday. Because Cincinnati is not in the playoffs, Callahan can conduct a virtual interview with Carolina as early as Wednesday.

Callahan doesn’t call plays for the Bengals, but he’s an integral part of an offensive process that allowed Jake Browning to thrive as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback after Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. He may also be able to add his father — the Browns’ Bill Callahan, arguably the best OL coach in the NFL — to his staff.

Meanwhile, the Panthers are also reaching out to potential GM candidates. On Monday, Carolina requested interviews with Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg, Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown, Chiefs VP of football operations Brandt Tillis, Saints VP of Football Administration Khai Harley, and Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby.

Giant DC Wink Martindale Resigns

Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale resigned on Monday after two seasons in New York, according to NFL Network. ESPN recently reported that Martindale was not expected to remain with Big Blue for much longer.

FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported as early as November that Martindale’s relationship with Giants head coach Brian Daboll was in a “bad place.” The two coaches had a tense sideline exchange during New York’s Week 10 loss to Dallas, but Martindale later downplayed that episode.

While the Giants’ defense finished bottom-five in yards per play and points per drive in 2023, Martindale wasn’t working with the league’s best depth chart. Martindale, who interviewed for the Colts’ head coaching job last offseason, should easily find another DC gig.

Commanders Hope to Interview Ravens DC Mike Macdonald

Ravens DC Mike Macdonald will arguably be the top defensive mind available on the 2024 head coaching circuit after his unit ranked first in points and yards per play allowed and second in efficiency last season.

The Commanders want a chance to interview Macdonald and have put in a request to Baltimore, per NFL Network. Macdonald joins a list of Washinton candidates that includes Lions OC Ben Johnson, Lions DC Aaron Gleen, Rams DC Raheem Morris, and Texans associate HC/DL Anthony Weaver.

Raiders Make GM Interview Requests

The Raiders are in a state of flux, as interim general manager Champ Kelly and interim head coach Antonio Pierce remain candidates to take over their current jobs full-time. Las Vegas has yet to make any moves on the head coaching front, but the club is getting started on its GM search.

On Monday, the Raiders put in requests to interview a long list of general manager candidates: 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters, Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds, Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown, and Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray. Unlike head coaching candidates, potential general managers can begin interviewing immediately.

Peters has long been viewed as a future GM and has turned down interview requests in the past, including last offseason, when he rejected interest from the Cardinals and  Titans. He’s also a candidate with the Commanders and will meet with Washington this week, per Sports Illustrated.

MORE: 2024 NFL GM Candidates

Dodds has also repeatedly withdrawn from GM searches, declining requests from the Browns in 2020 and the Panthers in 2021. But he interviewed with the Raiders in 2022, and owner Mark Davis must have liked what he heard to bring Dodds back in 2024.

Brown is another repeat candidate who discussed the Raiders’ GM job with Davis in 2022 before Las Vegas hired Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels. He first interviewed for an NFL GM role back in 2017, when he was in the mix for the Bills’ gig. Brown has spent time with the Eagles, Patriots, the XFL, and the AAF.

Gray has been in NFL front offices for 20 years, working with the Vikings for 11 seasons before joining the Bills alongside GM Brandon Beane in 2017. He initially served as Buffalo’s director of college scouting before moving into player personnel in 2020.

Pete Carroll to Return as Seahawks HC

The Seahawks didn’t make the playoffs in 2023, but Pete Carroll isn’t ready to call it quits after missing out on the postseason. Speaking to Seattle Sports on Monday, Caroll said he intends to continue as the Seahawk’s head coach in 2024.

“I plan to be coaching this team,” Carroll said. “I told you I love these guys. That’s what I would like to be doing and see how far we can go. I’m not tired. I’m not worn out. I need to do a better job and help my coaches more.”

Falcons, Panthers Interested in Bill Belichick

While Bill Belichick is still the Patriots’ head coach as of Monday, the Falcons will be interested in the future Hall of Famer if he departs New England, as The Athletic reported on Monday. Atlanta fired HC Arthur Smith after three consecutive 7-10 campaigns.

Belichick’s defensive bona fides are unparalleled, but he’d need to bring in a strong offensive play-caller to get the most out of RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts. Falcons owner Arthur Blank had ex-Patriots executive Thomas Dimitroff as his GM for 13 seasons, so he’s fully aware of how New England’s operation works.

The Panthers have also made “informal inquiries” on Belichick, per CBS Sports. Over the weekend, The Athletic reported that Belichick has “asked about (owner David) Tepper and the Panthers’ situation.”

Commanders Begin HC, GM Interview Requests

The Commanders aren’t wasting any time as they seek to replace head coach Ron Rivera. Washington has requested interviews with Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, per NFL Network. The club also plans to meet with Rams DC Raheem Morris and Ravens DL coach Anthony Weaver, according to ESPN.

Because those three teams are playing on Wild Card Weekend, the Commanders cannot meet with any of those candidates — even virtually — until next weekend. In-person meetings can’t be conducted until Jan. 22.

Martin Mayhew is still technically Washington’s general manager, but the team is looking for other options. The Commanders have requested interviews with Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook, Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters, and Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi. General manager interviews can begin immediately.

Ron Rivera Fired by Washington Commanders

Early on Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera. During his time with the Commanders, Rivera has a 26-40-1 record, finishing with just one winning season in 2022.

Rivera released a statement on Monday, thanking Washington’s fans for his time in the nation’s capital.

“I want every Washington fan to know how much I appreciate your unwavering support. Through all the name changes, roster moves, non-football headlines, and seasons that did not meet your expectations, you still stood by this team. We did win an NFC East title in 2020, but we fell short since then, and for that, I am truly disappointed.”

MORE: 2024 NFL Head Coaching Candidates

Managing partner of the Commanders, Josh Harris, also released a statement. “I want to thank Ron and his wife Stephanie for all they did for the Commanders and DMV community, especially during the ownership transition. Ron helped navigate this organization through some challenging times. He is a good man and thoughtful leader who has positively contributed to this organization and the NFL. I wish the Rivera family nothing but the best moving forward.”

ESPN then reported that the Commanders have hired former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman to assist with the search for a new head of football operations and coach.

Myers and Spielman will join Mitch Rales, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and David Blitzer on an advisory committee. That group will work with Harris “to make the best decisions for the franchise.”

Per Bleacher Report, the Commanders have an interest in Jim Harbaugh. Jordan Schultz reported that Myers has already contacted Harbaugh’s agent, Don Yee, as part of his new role with the Commanders.

Scott Fitterer Fired by Carolina Panthers

The Panthers started Monday morning by moving on from GM Scott Fitterer, who had been with the team since 2021. The Panthers released a short statement from owner David Tepper, which stated the search for a replacement GM will start immediately to have them in place to begin the coaching search on Jan. 22.

“As we move forward with the new direction for our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as our general manager. I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish the best for him and his family.”

The Panthers have gone 14-37 during Tepper’s tenure. Last year, they traded up to the first overall pick to select QB Bryce Young.

Bill Belichick Spoke With the Media via Video Call on Monday Morning

Embattled Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke with the media via a video call Monday in which he discussed his future.

“I’m under contract. I’m going to do what I always do, which is every day I come in, work as hard as I can to help the team in whatever way I can. As far as any decisions or direction or anything like that for next year; it’s way too early for that.

“End of the year process, I don’t think will be fundamentally different from the standpoint of how it’s done. The decisions — that’s a whole another conversation.

“But how it’s done, I’ll meet with Robert [Kraft], like I always do. Meet with the staff. Meet with the personnel department. Kind of recap the season. Look at the big picture and then look at some of the individual situations that are looming one way or another.

“But that’s obviously a long way off from where we are right now. So we’ll start, at the end of the day, putting the pieces back together of setting things up to go through a good, detailed analysis — to kind of start reconstruction, if you will.”

Belichick has been with the Patriots since 2000 and has a 266-121 record during that time. In his 24 years as the head coach of the Patriots, he has overseen a losing record on just four occasions. However, three of those four have come in the past four seasons, with New England having made the playoffs just once in that span.

New York Giants Fire Thomas McGaughey and Bobby Johnson

Monday morning, the Giants moved on from special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and OL coach Bobby Johnson. McGaughey has been with the team for six years with three different head coaches. After an impressive start to his time with New York through the first four seasons, his units have struggled in the last two years.

Johnson came with Daboll from the Bills, where he held the same title. He oversaw two tough seasons for the Giants’ OL after having reasonable success with the Bills when Daboll was the offensive coordinator in Buffalo.

New York Jets To Make Lower-Level Staffing Changes

Per a report from The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, the “Jets are expected to make some staff changes but nothing significant.” In his report, Rosenblatt states that the three coordinators — Nathaniel Hackett, Jeff Ulbrich, and Brant Boyer — are all expected to return.

Two other coaches that Rosenblatt named as expecting to stay include passing game coordinator Todd Downing and OL coach/run game coordinator Keith Carter. Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that there would be nothing significant in terms of changes coming.

John Harbaugh Reportedly Garnering Interest on Multiple Fronts

In addition to Schultz’s report that the Commanders have reached out to Harbaugh’s agent, he reported that both the Raiders and Chargers could be options for Harbaugh.

According to the report, Harbaugh and the Raiders have a mutual interest, but there is also seemingly “a slew of internal support for Antonio Pierce.” Schultz also stated that Harbaugh has “a lot of interest” in the vacancy in Los Angeles.

Mike Vrabel Reportedly Interested in a Return to the New England Patriots

With uncertainty swirling around Mike Vrabel’s future in Tennessee, Jordan Schultz reported that Vrabel is “interested in the idea of returning to the Patriots, should New England part ways with Bill Belichick.” This matches similar reporting that Vrabel could be a candidate for the Patriots’ head coaching role if a spot opens up in Foxborough.

Vrabel could theoretically stick with the Titans, but CBS Sports said he’s “50/50” to remain in Tennessee. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s players and coaches have yet to hear an update on Vravel’s status, per The Athletic.

Which Teams Have Already Fired Their Head Coaches?

Las Vegas Raiders

The first head coach fired in 2023-24 was Josh McDaniels of the Raiders. He was fired Nov. 1 and was replaced by interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Since taking the spot, Pierce has won over the locker room. Many players, including Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, have clarified their wishes, hoping Pierce gets the job.

However, even if the Raiders want to hire Pierce, they must still conduct a full search and go through the complete process, as required by the NFL. Mark Davis is said to be a big fan of Pierce, but it isn’t impossible that other major candidates could tempt him.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were the second team to fire their head coach, firing Frank Reich on Nov. 27. His tenure ended with a league-worst 1-10 record. Chris Tabor replaced him as interim head coach.

The Panthers fired Fitterer as well and will look to find a new head coach who can help young quarterback Bryce Young find success. Carolina does not hold a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft due to the Young trade with the Chicago Bears.

Los Angeles Chargers

After three seasons with three drastic mistakes, the Chargers ended the Brandon Staley era on Dec. 15 after getting blown out 63-21 by the Raiders. His record as the Chargers’ head coach finished 24-24. Los Angeles blew a 27-0 lead in the Wild Card round of the 2023 playoffs to the Jacksonville Jaguars under Staley’s lead.

MORE: 2023-24 NFL Playoff Bracket

The Chargers are an intriguing job because of quarterback Justin Herbert and because Los Angeles has a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Atlanta Falcons

Arthur Smith may have technically been the first victim of Black Monday 2024, as reports that the Falcons had fired Smith leaked out just after midnight ET on Jan. 8, 2024. Smith went 7-10 in each of his three seasons as Atlanta’s head coach, but sub-.500 records were the least of his problems.

The former Titans offensive coordinator never solved the Falcons’ QB problem and spent the 2023 campaign bouncing between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, neither of whom profiled as a long-term answer.

And despite Atlanta using first-round picks on WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson in consecutive drafts, Smith never figured out how to get the ball in his offensive playmakers’ hands.

Washington Commanders

While the Commanders waited until Monday, Jan. 8, to fire Ron Rivera so as not to can him on his 62nd birthday, it’s long been clear that Rivera’s stay in Washington was coming to an end. Rivera’s impending departure became even more apparent when a new ownership group led by Josh Harris took control of the Commanders last summer.

Rivera posted at least seven wins in each of his first three seasons as Washington’s head coach. He even led the club to a playoff appearance in 2020. But the postseason has been out of reach ever since, and the Commanders bottomed out with a 4-13 record in 2023.

Which Teams Have Already Fired Their General Managers?

Los Angeles Chargers

Along with firing Staley, the Chargers also fired general manager Tom Telesco. Telesco had been the team’s general manager since 2013. He replaced former longtime Chargers general manager A.J. Smith.

The Chargers are projected to have just $34.8 million in salary cap next season. The new general manager will have to deal with the contracts of many aging players, such as Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa.

Carolina Panthers

Although Scott Fitterer hung onto his Panthers GM role through the firings of Matt Rhule and Frank Reich, he was finally let go on Jan. 8, 2024. Carolina will clean house entirely and conduct dual searches for a new general manager and head coach.

How much roster control Fitterer ever held is an open question. The Panthers hired a year into Rhule’s regime, and he stayed on under Reich this past season.

But whoever was making decisions in Carolina did a poor job during Fitterer’s run. The club’s decision to trade a haul of draft picks and WR DJ Moore for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft — only to select Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud — already looks like a significant error. Rejecting two first-round picks from the Rams in exchange for EDGE Brian Burns in 2022 might’ve been just as egregious of a mistake.

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