AFC East

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is considered "a potential favorite" to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Saleh is scheduled to meet with Jaguars owner Shahid Khan and general manager Trent Baalke in Jacksonville on Friday, according to Schultz.

Sources: Former #Jets HC Robert Saleh is flying into Jacksonville on Thursday for a Friday meeting with Shad Khan, Trent Baalke, and others.

With Liam Coen out of the running, many around the league view Saleh as a potential favorite — though it wouldn’t be surprising if the… pic.twitter.com/PaZjtEyLCq

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2025

Saleh was one of three coaches set for second interviews with the Jaguars heading into Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

That list dwindled to just Saleh and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham after Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took himself "out of the running" for the job, Schefter reported Wednesday.

Coen was set to meet with the Jaguars on Wednesday, per Schefter.

Schefter reported that Coen would instead stay with the Buccaneers after signing a deal that will make him one of "the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL."

The Jaguars initially conducted head coaching interviews with seven other candidates in addition to Coen, Graham and Saleh.

Some of those candidates are already off the table. Ben Johnson, formerly the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, has been hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears. The New York Jets are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

The Jags could still decide to return to other candidates still in the playoffs, such as Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo or Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, for a second interview.

Jacksonville is seeking a replacement for former head coach Doug Pederson, who was fired after leading the Jaguars to a 4-13 record in his third season with the franchise.

Saleh is meanwhile looking to return to head coaching after his midseason firing by the Jets, who dismissed him following the team's 2-3 start to the 2024 season.

The former New York head coach was reportedly surprised by his dismissal, and the Jets weren't able to find much success without him. Under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets finished the season 3-9 and missed the playoffs for a 14th straight season.

Saleh served as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator for four seasons before joining the Jets in 2021. His experience could make him an appealing candidate to turn around one of the worst defensive teams in NFL this season.

That doesn't match what Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence described when he said last week he wants "a young, offensive coach" to come to Jacksonville. If the Jags continue pursuing coaches with offensive backgrounds following Coen's backing out, Moore or Brady could receive second interview requests when they become available.

Mike Vrabel is acting quickly to fill out his coaching staff with the New England Patriots, hiring Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams as defensive coordinator on Wednesday.

Terrell joins the Patriots after previously working with Vrabel for six seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.

Welcome to New England, Terrell Williams‼️ pic.twitter.com/hExD7SZW5M

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 22, 2025

Vrabel has now filled the two most prominent positions on his staff. Josh McDaniels is returning to New England as offensive coordinator, the team announced on Wednesday.

The Patriots are hoping Vrabel can provide stability after a chaotic two-year period for the organization between the end of the Bill Belichick era and a disappointing 2024 with Jerod Mayo.

To achieve that goal and start taking steps forward, Vrabel is turning to coaches he trusts and is familiar with. McDaniels began his coaching career in the same season that Vrabel joined the Patriots as a player in 2001. They were with the organization together for eight seasons until Vrabel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2009.

Williams has been working as a defensive line coach every year since 1998 when he was hired by Fort Scott Community College in Texas. He spent 14 seasons at the college ranks before getting his first NFL job with the Oakland Raiders in 2012.

The 50-year-old Williams has bounced around the NFL over the past 13 seasons. He's worked with the Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Titans and Lions. He added the title of associate head coach during his final season with Vrabel in Tennessee in 2023.

Williams was Detroit's run game coordinator, in addition to being defensive line coach this season.

This will mark Williams' first stint as a defensive coordinator at any level, but his experience in the league and familiarity with Vrabel should make for an easy transition. He's also working with a Patriots defense that has some good talent already in place, led by cornerback Christian Gonzalez coming off an All-Pro second-team selection in 2024.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn reportedly has a "substantial offer" to become the New York Jets' head coach, according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, and the job is "his if he wants it," though no deal is done.

Schultz added that Glenn is "currently constructing his potential staff, which would ideally include Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell—if he doesn't get the offensive coordinator job in Detroit—who could be in play as the offensive coordinator for Glenn. I'm also told Glenn wants to bring in a veteran defensive coordinator who has been a former NFL head coach. Glenn, sources say, is still putting his offensive staff together."

The majority of the reporting surrounding New York's coaching search has indicated that Glenn is the team's top option:

Multiple HC and GM candidates tell me that all indications point to Aaron Glenn. Of course, this isn't earth shaking because it's been trending in this direction all day. Actually, the #Jets began calling candidates last night to tell them they had narrowed their searches.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 21, 2025

The Jets are trying to complete a deal with Aaron Glenn to be their head coach, source says. It’s not believed to be done yet. The expectation is that Lance Newmark would be the general manager if Glenn becomes the Jets’ coach.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 21, 2025

The #Jets have started calling coaching and general manager candidates to inform them they are going in another direction, per sources.

Those sources are under the belief that Aaron Glenn and Lance Newmark will be named the team’s next HC, GM.

Things are not 100%…

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 21, 2025

It isn't done yet, but barring anything unexpected ... Aaron Glenn will be the next #Jets coach.

Staff has been operating as if it will get done, according to sources. The team is still working through some things before it's finalized.

And, as @Connor_J_Hughes said, the Jets…

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 21, 2025

While the Jets obviously would have loved to seal the deal and keep Glenn in the building following his second interview with the team, multiple reports suggested that he left New York's facilities after his interview on Tuesday, as did general manager candidate Lance Newark. The two are familiar, given Newark's many years in Detroit's front office.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Lions DC Aaron Glenn spent the day with the #Jets, speaking to them about their HC job. Nothing is done. But nothing is wrong, either. pic.twitter.com/SQkrMnNIYd

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2025

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Commanders assistant GM Lance Newark, both of whom interviewed in person today with the Jets, have left the team’s training facility, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2025

Aaron Glenn and Lance Newmark have left the Jets building, source says and as ESPN reported. Doesn’t mean a deal won’t be reached, but no deal to report at the moment.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 21, 2025

Glenn, 52, has served as the Lions' defensive coordinator since 2021. Prior to that he was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns (2014-15) and the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints (2016-20). He was also a three-time Pro Bowler as a cornerback during his NFL career, with stints for the Jets (1994-01), Houston Texans (2002-04), Dallas Cowboys (2005-06), Jacksonville Jaguars (2007) and the Saints (2008).

The Saints are also reportedly interested in Glenn, though his second interview with the team—which was originally scheduled for Wednesday—had to be pushed back to later in the week due to inclement weather in New Orleans, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The Jets appear to be the clear frontrunners for Glenn. But given his history in New Orleans and an interview later in the week, he may still be weighing his options.

The Los Angeles Rams could save some serious money by releasing veteran wideout Cooper Kupp this offseason, and given that trade rumors involving him circulated during the 2024 season, his future with the Rams is somewhat up in the air.

So New England Patriots wideout Kendrick Bourne saw an opportunity to recruit him to Foxboro:

Come to NE @CooperKupp we’ll take care of u lol all the targets! https://t.co/9qTduw3Yr4

— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) January 21, 2025

Kupp told reporters Monday that he'll continue his career into the 2025 season and feels as though he's "got a lot of good football left in me," but acknowledged that his future may not be with the Rams.

"Who knows what's going to happen?" he said. "That's out of my control. And we will see what it's going to be. ... I don't have any clarity on what that's going to look like or anything like that. So yeah, obviously would love to be in L.A., but I don't know what that's going to look like."

Kupp, 31, has a $29.7 million cap hit in 2025 under his current deal with the Rams and a $27.3 million cap hit in 2026. By cutting him, the Rams would save $15 million in cash and $7.5 million against the cap (and if he was a post-June 1 cut, they'd carry $22.2 million in dead cap).

The veteran wideout was once one of the game's elite wideouts and Matthew Stafford's top target, but he caught just 67 passes for 710 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games this season. Health remains a concern for Kupp—he's missed 18 games in the past three seasons—and even when he's available, Puka Nacua (79 catches for 990 yards and three scores in 11 games) has clearly emerged as the top option in the Rams' passing attack.

Between his significant cap hit and Nacua's emergence, the Rams could ultimately deem Kupp expendable.

The Patriots, meanwhile, could desperately use some playmakers for promising young quarterback Drake Maye. The Rams may not move on from Kupp, but if they do, New England would make sense as a potential suitor.

The New England Patriots and new head coach Mike Vrabel hired Josh McDaniels for the team's vacant offensive coordinator position, the team announced on Wednesday.

Welcome back Josh! pic.twitter.com/di1rfrILNO

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 22, 2025

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the agreement on Tuesday.

McDaniels interviewed for the spot on Tuesday, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, and was considered "a top target."

McDaniels is no stranger to the Patriots. The 48-year-old was a personnel assistant (2001), defensive assistant (2002-03), quarterbacks coach (2004-05) and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2006-08) in his first stint in New England before returning as the offensive coordinator between the 2012 and 2021 seasons.

During his time with the Patriots, he was a part of six Super Bowl-winning teams, pairing with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to great effect.

And per Schultz, McDaniels "has kept his home in Foxborough and continues to live there. He clearly has a high level of comfort and a proven track record of success with the Patriots under Belichick—plus a strong relationship with Vrabel."

McDaniels never had the same level of success as a head coach, going 20-33 with no playoff appearances in stops with the Broncos (2009-10) and Raiders (2022-23). While his offenses in New England ranked top 10 in yards eight times and top 10 in points 12 times, he's never had a top-10 offense in either category at any other stop.

Some of that, of course, can be attributed to the greatness of Brady. Compare that to McDaniels working with Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow in Denver; Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley and Kellen Clemens in his one season as the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2011; and Derek Carr, Aidan O'Connell and Jimmy Garoppolo in Las Vegas.

Josh McDaniels is the right fit for Drake Maye?!

Gronk says YESSSSSSS pic.twitter.com/SXqCUSVJNW

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) January 15, 2025

That's fairly bleak.

In a third stint with the Patriots, meanwhile, he has the chance to guide and shape the promising young career of Drake Maye. And with Vrabel considered more of a defensive mind, McDaniels will likely have a lot of freedom.

"I've had a relationship with Josh, and I've had relationships with other offensive coaches and defensive coaches that we're going to interview and bring in here," Vrabel told WEEI (h/t Mike Reiss of ESPN). Vrabel added he has a "long list" of potential options at offensive coordinator and is seeking an "aggressive but not reckless" scheme.

Vrabel seemingly feels McDaniels can bring that vision to fruition.

Tyreek Hill's future with the Miami Dolphins was a talking point following his comments after the team's season-ending loss to the New York Jets, and one NFL executive believes he could be suiting up for the New England Patriots in 2025.

"The Patriots are desperate. They need a guy, that alpha that can be friendly for Drake Maye," someone in personnel for an NFC team said in a Tuesday piece by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "And there's a higher chance of the draft picks [Miami would receive in a trade] being higher than with a contender."

The speculation comes after Hill turned heads after the loss to the Jets by saying he's "out" while seemingly expressing his preference to leave Miami:

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters he met with the receiver and clarified Hill never asked for a trade. Head coach Mike McDaniel also told reporters he met with Hill and came away believing the receiver accepted his accountability when it was "unacceptable to leave a game and won't be tolerated in the future."

Comments from Grier and McDaniel suggested Hill will be in Miami next season, especially since he is still under contract through the 2026 season.

Still, the team would surely be open to changing its mind if the right offer came along. But that offer would likely need to be even more significant from the Patriots than another team since they are AFC East rivals.

From New England's perspective, trading for a superstar receiver would make plenty of sense.

After all, the franchise's best chance to compete for playoff spots in the coming seasons under new head coach Mike Vrabel is by Maye living up to his potential. Having an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time First-Team All-Pro selection like Hill would help the quarterback do just that.

Aaron Rodgers' future in the NFL is up in the air heading into the offseason, but one executive believes the veteran quarterback will call it quits.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an AFC executive predicts Rodgers will retire this offseason because there isn't a "logical place for him to play."

"But I'm just trying to think of a logical place for him to play and I can't think of one," the executive said. "I'm guessing he doesn't want to go to a rebuild. And if you're a contender, I'm not sure they want to take on Aaron Rodgers and all that comes with that. So, he might just come to the conclusion that he's done."

Rodgers, who missed the entire 2023 season due to a torn Achilles, had a rough start to the year but showed he still has something to give with a solid stretch to close out the 2024 campaign. The 41-year-old finished with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as the New York Jets went 5-12.

Before the Jets' last game of the season, Rodgers didn't state whether he would retire but acknowledged the reality that he could be playing his final game.

"This game has given me a lot," he said, per ESPN's Rich Cimini. "I've given a lot back to it, and I'm thankful for it. I won't be thinking about that on game day. I'll just be enjoying this. I'm trying to stay in the moment, but, of course, it's been a long career. I'm really proud of what I've been able to be a part of, what I've been able to accomplish, and I'm also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest."

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "several people close to" Rodgers "are preparing for the fact that" he could retire this offseason.

Even if Rodgers decides to continue playing, he might not be welcomed back to the Jets. In November, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reported that Jets owner Woody Johnson "isn't expected to want Rodgers back in 2025."

If New York doesn't want Rodgers, there may not be any logical landing spots for him, as the executive mentioned. Rodgers might not be interested in joining a rebuilding team, but a competitive squad would probably prefer a quarterback capable of leading a Super Bowl run.

That doesn't leave Rodgers too many options unless he's willing to take on a bench role like we've seen other veteran quarterbacks do in the past.

If the New York Jets get their way, Aaron Glenn will be their new head coach.

According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Glenn will be named the next head coach of the Jets, "barring anything unexpected."

It isn't done yet, but barring anything unexpected ... Aaron Glenn will be the next #Jets coach.

Staff has been operating as if it will get done, according to sources. The team is still working through some things before it's finalized.

And, as @Connor_J_Hughes said, the Jets…

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 21, 2025

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported the Jets hosted Glenn for his second interview on Tuesday and "the goal is to keep him from leaving the building" before accepting the job.

Rapoport did note there are "some particulars" to be worked out and a deal isn't done, but the Jets and Glenn could iron those out on Tuesday.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 1:18 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini said that Glenn "wants the job" in New York.

Glenn had his first interview with the Jets virtually on Jan. 9. Tuesday will mark his first in-person meeting with the organization.

The Jets have cast a wide net in their search for a new head coach and general manager. They have announced 32 different candidates have completed interviews between the two positions thus far.

In addition to Glenn being regarded as the favorite to become head coach, the Jets appear to have zeroed in on Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark to become their GM.

Per The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, Glenn and Newmark are the only candidates currently scheduled for a second interview and the expectation is they will be hired by the Jets if all goes well.

Glenn has a long history with the Jets organization from his playing career. He played eight seasons in New York from 1994 to 2001 after being selected in the first round of the 1994 NFL draft.

After his playing career ended, Glenn spent two seasons with the Jets as a personnel scout from 2012 to '13. He has spent the past four seasons as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator.

Glenn is a coach who appears to be very well liked and respected by players throughout the league.

In a January 2024 poll conducted by the NFLPA that asked players to rate the coordinators on their own teams, Glenn received the highest marks among all defensive coordinators.

Given how chaotic everything has seemed to be for the Jets in recent years, Glenn's history with the organization and reputation with players should serve him well as their head coach if he is able to finalize a deal.

The Jets finished the 2024 season with a 5-12 record. Their 14-year playoff drought is the longest active streak among teams in all four major North American men's pro sports leagues.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn appears to have a preference as he weighs head coaching options.

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported that Glenn is "very interested" in the New York Jets opening and that the Jets are "highly intrigued" by Glenn.

Sources describe Aaron Glenn as “very interested” in the #Jets, while New York is “highly intrigued” by Glenn’s dynamic leadership style and creative defensive mind.

Glenn’s rise has drawn interest from several teams, including the #Saints — with potential opportunities in… https://t.co/wv6MkaA73m pic.twitter.com/DIUmz883Mw

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 21, 2025

Glenn has also interviewed for the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars and rejected an interview from the New England Patriots before the team hired Mike Vrabel.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Glenn chose to meet with the Jets over the New Saints for the first of his second interviews. This could be significant as the Jets may be able to come to terms with Glenn before he goes to New Orleans.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: A potentially significant day looms for the #Jets, as #Lions DC Aaron Glenn is set to do an in-person second interview with the #Jets tomorrow. The #Saints await on Wednesday... pic.twitter.com/fvFyPaPpgW

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2025

Glenn has never been a head coach in the NFL before but has been the Lions defensive coordinator since 2021 and also served as a defensive assistant for the Saints and the Cleveland Browns. He also played 15 seasons in the NFL, including eight for the Jets, and was a three-time Pro Bowler.

Under his tutelage, Detroit's defense helped lead the team to the No. 1 seed in the NFC in 2024 and he saw strong development from cornerstone players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell and Kerby Joseph.

The Jets went 5-12 in 2024 and have not qualified for the postseason since 2010. The team also has questions at quarterback due to Aaron Rodgers uncertainty. However, the team has several promising players, including wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner, and the right coach could flip the culture.

Glenn appears to believe he could be the right fit and could be the next to lead the gangrene and white.