Cowboys' Dalvin Cook Eyes $20M AAV Contract for Brother James After Bills RB's TD
Jan 12, 2025
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Dalvin Cook #20 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during an NFL Football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Maybe Dalvin Cook should consider becoming certified as a sports agent.
James Cook, Dalvin's younger brother, scored on a five-yard touchdown run to put the Buffalo Bills ahead 10-7 over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card Round.
The younger Cook is signed with Buffalo through the 2025 season, but it stands to reason he and his representatives will angle for a long-term extension. During the regular season, the 2023 Pro Bowler ran for 1,009 yards and matched O.J. Simpson's franchise record for rushing touchdowns (16).
If Dalvin thinks his brother can get $20 million a year, then he hasn't been paying attention to the running back market.
San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey nearly matches that figure with a $19 million average salary, but there's a wild gulf between he the second-highest-paid running back (Jonathan Taylor, $14 million). The Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley is next on the list at $12.6 million.
Spotrac pegs James Cook's value at $35.8 million over four years. That's a far cry from a $20 million AAV.
But any good negotiator will tell you to start high since there's more room to bargain down. If Cook and his agent start at $20 million with the Bills, then they'll have a lot of room.
Patriots Rumors: Insiders 'Have Rolled Their Eyes a Bit at' Mike Vrabel's Hire as HC
Jan 12, 2025
BEREA, OHIO - MAY 30: Coaching and personnel consultant Mike Vrabel of the Cleveland Browns looks on during an OTA offseason workout at their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Sunday but the news didn't exactly shock the rest of the NFL, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.
"A lot of people I talk to have rolled their eyes a bit at the hire," Graziano reported. "The Patriots had Belichick for 24 years, let him go, did no search at all before hiring Mayo, fired Mayo after one season and then rushed their search before hiring Vrabel."
Graziano noted that "no one is surprised," as it "felt like this situation was pointing this way all week."
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Vrabel was believed to be the "overwhelming favorite" for New England.
The 49-year-old finished with a 54-45 record in six years with the Titans. They made the playoffs in three separate seasons during his tenure, including an AFC Championship Game appearance during the team's 2019 campaign.
Prior to his coaching career, Vrabel spent 14 years in the NFL as a linebacker. The majority of his playing days occurred with the Patriots, suiting up for New England from 2001-08.
After the team parted ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick at the end of the 2023 season, Mayo was chosen as his replacement. The Patriots finished at 4-13 in 2024 before he was ultimately fired on Jan. 5.
On the same day Mayo was let go, The Athletic's Chad Graff and RJ Kraft reported that New England planned to pursue Vrabel.
Mayo's seemingly short leash appears to have been affected by the availability of the former Titans coach following his stint with Tennessee. ESPN's Mike Reiss revealed that the Patriots' intentions to keep Mayo as Belichick's successor took a hit when "some within the team" wondered if the plans should be "shelved in favor of Vrabel."
Vrabel is still an experienced coach that can help New England as it looks to build a defense that compliments 22-year-old quarterback Drake Maye, but the rest of the NFL landscape wasn't stunned by the hiring.
Report: Patriots Considered Mike Vrabel as HC Last Year Despite Jerod Mayo Contract
Jan 12, 2025
NASHVILLE TENNESSEE - JANUARY 07: Head Coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville, Tennessee at Nissan Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 28-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel to serve as the team's head coach on Sunday.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, however, the team had interest in him as a candidate last offseason as well:
The possibility of Vrabel becoming the Patriots' coach traces back to last year. New England had language in Jerod Mayo's contract to become Belichick's successor, but team sources said Vrabel's unexpected availability in Jan. 2024 after being fired by the Titans made some within the team wonder whether those plans should be shelved in favor of Vrabel. They ultimately were convinced enough in Mayo to stick with the original plan. That Vrabel remained available in 2025, and was interviewing with the AFC East rival New York Jets, adds a layer of context to the decision.
Mayo's lone season in charge didn't go well—the team finished 4-13 and holds the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, where it could look to address any number of needs by bolstering the roster on the offensive line (Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas), on the edge (Abdul Carter, Penn State), at cornerback (Will Johnson, Michigan), wide receiver (Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona) or on both sides of the ball (Travis Hunter, Colorado).
In Mayo's defense, he inherited a team with a distinct lack of talent and a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye. Vrabel will be inheriting that same roster, but the Patriots now have a quarterback to build around and can go to work retooling the talent around him.
Mayo also may not have been ready for the gig. As Chad Graff of The Athletic reported, "in describing how and why things went wrong for Mayo and the Patriots, team sources pointed to a few things. Mayo, they felt, tried too hard to be 180 degrees different from Belichick, then struggled to apply and uphold discipline after positioning himself as a players' coach."
"I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation," team owner Robert Kraft told reporters after firing Mayo. "I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job."
Vrabel, on the other hand, brings far more experience to the job, having spent six years as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans (2018-23), going 54-45 with three playoff appearances and two postseason wins. He also served as the linebackers (2014-16) and defensive coordinator (2017) for the Houston Texans and as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns (2024).
Mayo, meanwhile, had only coached in New England under Bill Belichick before ascending to head coach. As Graff noted, that gave him a reduced network to call upon while he attempted to fill out his coaching staff last offseason, leading to a number of coaches serving in prominent roles for the first time.
The Patriots will hope that Vrabel can hit the ground running, and Vrabel will hope the team can bolster those efforts with an aggressive approach to free agency and a strong draft. In Maye and Vrabel, the organization has reason for optimism.
Rex Ryan Hopes to Kick Vrabel's Ass as Jets HC Despite Rumors He's 'Completely Out'
Jan 12, 2025
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 26: Former NFL coach & ESPN analyst Rex Ryan of 'ESPN's Sunday's NFL Countdown' speaks onstage during the ESPN portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Rex Ryan is reportedly no longer a candidate for the New York Jets' head coaching job, but he's still hopeful that he'll have a chance to face off against New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in the AFC East.
"Hopefully I get to kick this guy's ass twice a year," Ryan said on Sunday's NFL Countdown (2:52 mark).
SNY's Connor Hughes revealed that the ESPN analyst and former Jets coach is "completely out" of the race to fill the current vacancy.
“Rex Ryan I heard is completely out, that is not gonna happen with the Jets”
Ryan has expressed confidence about landing the job in the past, telling ESPN's Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg that he was "the best guy and it isn't close" on Jan. 6.
The next day, the Jets interviewed the 62-year-old for the role.
Ryan spent the first six years of his head coaching career in New York, helping lead the team to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in 2009 and 2010. He wasn't able to maintain that same level of success through the rest of his tenure and the Jets parted ways with him following a 4-12 record in 2014.
He spent the next two years as head coach of the Buffalo Bills but was fired before the end of the 2016 season, compiling a 15-16 record in Buffalo.
New York utilized The 33rd Team during the hiring process, which was led by former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. Tannenbaum was part of the front office regime when Ryan was with the Jets, which might have contributed to his optimism regarding the vacancy.
ESPN's Rich Cimini reported Sunday that some see Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as "the best fit" for the role.
Ryan may be interested in renewing his old rivalry with the Jets' AFC East foe, but it appears unlikely that New York will ultimately hire him.
NFL Rumors: Jets Wanted Mike Vrabel 'Bad,' Made 'Late Push' Before Patriots Contract
Jan 12, 2025
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 21: Coaching consultant Mike Vrabel of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
The New England Patriots have reportedly hired Mike Vrabel to be the team's next head coach, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, though they weren't the only organization in hot pursuit of the former Tennessee Titans' head honcho.
According to Connor Hughes of SNY, the New York Jets made a concerted effort to bring him aboard as well:
Jets made a late push — they wanted him bad (justifiably so).
It was always uphill battle, likely impossible, for a team to beat out NE, though. https://t.co/5o6qim3PT9
Vrabel, 49, interviewed with the Jets earlier in the process, though whether he had any actual intentions of potentially taking that job is unclear. He and the Patriots seemed destined to end up together:
It's interesting how Vrabel interviewed with the Jets on Jan. 3 and, two days later, the Patriots fired Mayo the moment the season ended. Well played, Mr. Vrabel. #Jets
The #Patriots officially hired Mike Vrabel seven days after the regular season ended.
Not including Jerod Mayo, who was locked in contractually, that is the fastest head coaching hire by any team since Washington hired Ron Rivera on Dec. 31, 2019, two days after the season.
The Patriots interviewed a short list of candidates for the vacancy, but they were prepared to expand the search this week if necessary with a second wave of candidates who were being discussed in the building. Of course, that wasn’t necessary with Mike Vrabel taking the job. https://t.co/bqezONe06w
The reality: Mike Vrabel’s availability hovered over the Patriots’ decision-making process. In 31 seasons of ownership, the Krafts have only hired someone they didn’t know previously into a HC or top scouting role once (Carroll).
His hiring now leaves five head-coaching vacancies around the NFL, as the Jets, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars. The Dallas Cowboys could also becoming a sixth team without a head coach, though it appears the team is leaning towards bringing Mike McCarthy back on a new contract
Of those openings, the Jets are hardly the most appealing. While the team undoubtedly has some young and veteran talent in place, there are major question marks at quarterback, where Aaron Rodgers' future is unclear. And even if he does return, it would come at a major cost to the team's salary cap situation in the years to come.
The Jets also reportedly have something of a dysfunctional culture under team owner Woody Johnson, according to a scathing report released by The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver in December. That can't be the most ideal environment to walk into for a prospective coaching hire.
The Patriots, meanwhile, have floundered in a post-Tom Brady world, and owner Robert Kraft didn't exactly nail the replacement for the legendary Bill Belichick last offseason when hiring Jerod Mayo. But the organization also has the legacy of winning six Super Bowls—Vrabel played on three of those teams—and an appealing young quarterback in Drake Maye.
Those factors, coupled with Vrabel's familiarity with Kraft and the Patriots, surely played a role in him landing the job over other interested suitors like the Jets. Now, it's on to plan B for New York, which reportedly has also interviewed Steve Spagnuolo, Mike Locksley, Ron Rivera, Rex Ryan, Darren Rizzi, Matt Nagy and Aaron Glenn for its head-coaching vacancy.
Patriots Fans Celebrate Mike Vrabel's HC Contract; NFL Legend Won 3 Super Bowls
Jan 12, 2025
BEREA, OHIO - MAY 30: Coaching and personnel consultant Mike Vrabel of the Cleveland Browns looks on during an OTA offseason workout at their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
It's never too late to come home.
The New England Patriots announced Sunday they are making Mike Vrabel their next head coach with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting it will be a multi-year contract. Vrabel played eight seasons for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and helped the franchise win three Super Bowls as a linebacker.
Now he will look to do the same as a head coach.
Naturally, his hiring led to plenty of reaction on social media:
Even though the process left a lot to be desired, the Patriots did narrow it down to the two best candidates. Vrabel’s teams always played hard and to their fullest talent in Tennessee, even if it wasn’t always pretty.
can we stop pretending you *must* hire an offensive head coach if you have a young quarterback? having someone good at being in charge is the most important skill for...the person in charge.
The Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach. He was their priority all along. And even though Ben Johnson impressed the Patriots with his interview, they believed throughout the process Vrabel was the best choice.
This is anything but a surprise given Vrabel's history with the organization and his status as one of the top candidates in this year's coaching cycle. As soon as the Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo, it was easy to speculate the three-time Super Bowl champion would return.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday that Vrabel was the "overwhelming favorite" for the position, and there is now no more remaining drama about who will take over in New England.
It won't be an easy turnaround, as the AFC East team is coming off two consecutive 4-13 campaigns and last-place finishes in the division. Catching up to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will be anything but straightforward even with a proven coach leading the way.
Vrabel was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans for six seasons from 2018 through 2023 and helped lead the team to three consecutive postseason appearances during that tenure.
Tennessee also reached the AFC Championship Game during the 2019 campaign with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, suggesting Vrabel, who went 54-45 with the Titans, can win without one of the league's absolute best under center.
Quarterback is one reason for optimism in New England, as rookie Drake Maye was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season.
The No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 421 yards and two scores on the ground as a runner and showed flashes of his upside throughout his 13 games.
It will be up to Vrabel to turn that upside into wins as he takes over as head coach of his former team.
Mike Vrabel Named Patriots HC on Reported Multiyear Contract After Jerod Mayo Firing
Jan 12, 2025
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
After an unsuccessful season with one of their former linebackers at head coach, the New England Patriots are turning to another one they hope will be able to turn things around as Mike Vrabel was announced as the new head coach on Sunday.
He’s back!
Patriots Hall of Famer Mike Vrabel returns to New England as our 16th head coach. pic.twitter.com/a3r7IQNzvk
ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported Vrabel agreed to a multiyear contract with the Patriots.
New England could also be set for a reunion at offensive coordinator with long-time assistant Josh McDaniels reportedly "in the mix" for the job, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported (1:19 in video):
Patriots owner Robert Kraft determined back in 2019 that Jerod Mayo would be the coach-in-waiting for whenever Bill Belichick's time with the organization came to an end. Mayo wound up going 4-13 in 2024 after taking over for Belichick, then got fired hours after the end of the regular season.
As soon as word of Mayo's firing got leaked, Vrabel immediately stood out as the most-likely potential replacement. There were rumblings he was going to be a top candidate for the organization last year until it was revealed they had a deal already in place with Mayo.
Vrabel spent the 2024 season working as a personnel consultant with the Cleveland Browns. The 49-year-old knows the Patriots organization extremely well, having played eight seasons for the team from 2001 to '08 and winning three Super Bowls.
Even though this is yet another instance of Kraft going back to the Patriots' glory days for a head coach, one of the key differences between Mayo and Vrabel is head-coaching experience.
Mayo, who played for the Patriots from 2008 to '15, was a first-time head coach and tasked with replacing the most successful coach in NFL history.
Vrabel had a successful six-year stint as head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to '23. He went 54-45 overall, making three playoff appearances and advancing to the AFC Championship Game in January 2020.
Despite the recent lack of success for the Patriots, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Drake Maye looks like an excellent quarterback to build around, especially given how well he played as a rookie relative to the lack of talent around him on the offense.
The Patriots also have more financial flexibility than any other team this offseason with $131.3 million in cap space, along with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 draft to upgrade their roster.
There is a lot of work for Vrabel, his staff and the front office to do rebuilding the roster to make the Patriots a contender in the AFC, but they appear to be headed in the right direction after hiring a head coach with a proven track record of success.
Report: Aaron Glenn Deemed 'Best Fit' as Insiders Feel Jets Want Offensive-Minded HC
Jan 12, 2025
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions is seen during warmups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ESPN's Rich Cimini reported Sunday that New York Jets officials have not made it clear what they are looking for in their next head coach after firing Robert Saleh during the 2024 season, which is notable since insiders have pointed to various candidates on both sides of the ball.
According to Cimini, some believe Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is "the best fit" in part because he is "regarded as an excellent leader and a very good tactician on defense."
However, others believe New York is searching for a head coach with an offensive background such as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith.
Smith was a candidate during the 2021 coaching search as well before the Jets settled on Saleh, although Cimini pointed out team owner Woody Johnson wasn't a part of that process since he was the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Glenn should be no stranger to the Jets considering he played cornerback for the AFC East team for eight seasons from 1994 to 2001. He was a two-time Pro Bowler during that span and helped the franchise reach the playoffs twice.
He started his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2014 before he became the New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach for five seasons from 2016 to 2020.
Glenn has been the Lions defensive coordinator ever since and, alongside head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, has helped turn one of the league's traditionally worst franchises into a juggernaut contender.
Detroit reached the NFC Championship Game last season and enters this season's playoffs with the conference's No. 1 overall seed and a defense that finished seventh in the league in points allowed despite a number of injuries.
The Jets announced Thursday they completed an interview with Glenn, so he appears to be a serious candidate even if there are some who believe New York will ultimately look toward the offensive side of the ball this offseason.
Report: Robert Kraft Was Questioned About Jerod Mayo Firing in Final Patriots Meeting
Jan 12, 2025
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots speak to the media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots fired former head coach Jerod Mayo just hours after their season-ending victory over the Indianapolis Colts, which reportedly led to questions about the timing of the entire process.
ESPN's Mike Reiss reported Sunday that some coaches and players were surprised when Mayo was fired considering "many were still at the facility with family members."
Team sources told Reiss that some questioned owner Robert Kraft about it during the Patriots' final meeting of the campaign.
Kraft released a statement at the time of the firing, calling it "one of the hardest decisions I have ever made" while praising Mayo for "his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community."
While Mayo had just one season as head coach, he has been with the Patriots for many years.
He played linebacker for eight seasons from 2008 to 2015 while building a resume that included a Super Bowl title, Defensive Rookie of the Year and two Pro Bowl selections. He was also a linebackers coach for the franchise from 2019 through 2023.
Mayo's first and only season as the head coach was a disappointing one at 4-13, but some may have thought he deserved more than just one year to turn things around given his history with the franchise and starting point with a team that also went 4-13 during the 2023 campaign before he took over.
Alas, the Patriots are now searching for a new head coach with NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reporting Saturday that Mike Vrabel is the favorite:
Vrabel would be another former Patriots player with a defensive background taking over as head coach, although he will look for more immediate success than Mayo enjoyed in 2024.
Video: Brett Favre Says He Was Wrong on Aaron Rodgers on Jets But QB Has 'Juice Left'
Jan 12, 2025
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shares a moment with former quarterback Brett Favre during a ceremony for the late Bart Starr at halftime of the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is confident Aaron Rodgers "still can play" at a high level in the NFL despite the 41-year-old having one of his worst seasons with the New York Jets.
During an interview with TMZ Sports, Favre said he was "wrong" in thinking a healthy Rodgers would spark a big improvement for the Jets in 2024. He nonetheless believes in the four-time MVP.
"I think I'm right in saying that he has a lot of juice left in the tank," Favre said. "... I just think he still can play. You saw it this last game. You go, 'Well, where's that been?' That's the Aaron Rodgers we know. He's making all the throws, guys are responding to him, love playing with him. Where's that been all year?"
Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while starting all 17 of New York's games. His 90.5 passer rating was his lowest over a full season, while he had his second-lowest QBR (48.2), per Pro Football Reference.
Rodgers and the Jets did at least end their season on a small high. He went 23-of-36 for 274 yards, four touchdowns and one interception as New York beat the Miami Dolphins 32-20.
Rodgers' performance and the victory may have little bearing on whether he returns to the Big Apple, though. He acknowledged after the game he's unsure of both his future in the NFL and the Jets' desire to have him back in 2025.
"I just need some time away to think about my future in the game, and my future here if they want me to be a part of the next phase. Either way I'm thankful for my two years here."
Should Rodgers want to keep playing and find himself a free agent, another team might share Favre's belief that the 10-time Pro Bowler can write a different ending to his legendary career.
The Jets' dysfunction goes far beyond their star quarterback, though he undoubtedly played a role. Maybe he can bounce back in a more stable organization.
Rodgers won't be lacking in motivation, either, after all of the ridicule he has faced for the past two years.
