The GM's, Coach's, Carousel

With Sam coming to the end of that first contract as a Panther, pretty hard to argue that your evaluation of the trade seems to be accurate.

They started running a more structured offense and got away from Rhule's meandering ways. It immediately changed how the entire offense approaches play calls with some better power, precision and timing. Sam has responded to it with making the correct reads in most situations, throwing with some confidence and making smarter decisions when it comes to putting the ball in harms way. @dlinebass5 mentioned his film in the Bucs game and there were instances in that one where Darnold made it a pretty easy argument for dline to make, considering the fumbles and pick. However, he did show that he can still make high level throws, and the type that the better quarterbacks make. Specifically, with touch to arc that puts the ball over linebackers and into receivers under/away from the coverage, which are the kind of throws that turn smaller windows into larger ones.

If the Panthers decide to move on - I think the best case scenario for Sam this offseason would be to hook up with Daboll and the Giants, if Daniel Jones is not brought back. He would represent a higher level of arm talent, and it would be interesting to see how much his risk factor drops with a coach that has shown the ability to grow two separate passers in a short period of time.

If Harbuagh did take the Panthers job and Sam was retained, it would be the kind of move that could send his career into a completely different evolution, IMO.

Levis is definitely a stud and has a clear shot at ending up as my QB1 in this class, and I don't think the Panthers are going to have a shot at him.

Young, Stroud and Levis could all go within the top 5 picks (HOU, SEA, IND), leaving the Panthers out of the mix. It's another reason why I think they may look to resign Sam, or sign another veteran arm to work with in the short term.

 

That's fair, I guess. As a fan of a team with a QB now, I'm glad I finally don't have to monitor the QB scene at all times.

 

The NCAA has reportedly given the Michigan Wolverines football program its Notice of Allegations, claiming head coach Jim Harbaugh provided "false or misleading information" to investigators regarding impermissible contact with recruits during NCAA-mandated dead periods.

According to The Athletic, Michigan has received four Level II violations and one Level I violation, which is Harbaugh’s misleading information.

The violations against Michigan also include the use of a defensive analyst for on-field coaching activities, which is against rules, per ESPN.

Harbaugh, who said he "expects" to return as Michigan’s head coach next season despite rumors he could return to the NFL, could get a multi-game suspension among potential penalties, ESPN added.

It is Harbaugh’s duty to make sure he is monitoring staff properly, while complying with the NCAA and its rules.



Harbaugh released a statement on Thursday regarding his potential return to the NFL, and while it wasn’t a definitive yes, it appears he intends to coach the Wolverines.

"As I stated in December, while no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023," Harbaugh said in a statement posted to Michigan Football’s Twitter page. "I have spoken with President Santa Ono and Athletic Director Warde Manuel and appreciate their support of me and our program. Our mission as Wolverines continues, and we are preparing for the 2023 season with great passion and enthusiasm. As our legendary coach Bo Schembechler said…’Those who stay will be champions.’"

The Carolina Panthers were a team rumored to be after Harbaugh, as they have already begun searching for their next head coach. An ESPN report said owner David Tepper had a conversation with Harbaugh about the position on Tuesday, though it wasn’t considered an interview.

Harbaugh interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason before they eventually went with Kevin O’Connell, who won the NFC North in his first year. At the time, the Detroit Free Press reported Harbaugh telling Manuel this would "not be a reoccurring theme every year" regarding his potential NFL return.

Now, Harbaugh seems to have more pressing things on his plate in Ann Arbor.

FOX

 

If the Bears do right by Justin, then the opportunity to become dominant in the North again is right around the corner.

 

Just take a page out of the Urban Meyer / Pete Carroll handbook and leave now while the gettin's good.

 

I doubt they will do right by him, but it's nice to dream.

 

Report: Broncos plan to interview Jim Harbaugh this week



The first day of 2023 featured a PFT report that the Broncos had been in contact with Jim Harbaugh about their head coaching vacancy and things are reportedly set to take another step this week.

NFL Media reports that the Broncos plan to interview Harbaugh early in the week. The Broncos end their season with interim head coach Jerry Rosburg leading the team against the Chargers on Sunday.


Harbaugh issued a statement this week saying that he expects to remain at Michigan for the 2023 season, but included the caveat that “no one knows what the future holds.” Harbaugh took the 49ers to a Super Bowl during his previous stint in the NFL, but lost to his brother’s Ravens and he has spent the last eight seasons coaching his alma mater.

Before coaching the 49ers, Harbaugh coached Stanford. Broncos owner Greg Penner attended the school and former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, who is also part of the ownership group, also has ties to the school.

The Panthers have also had conversations with Harbaugh and the Colts are seen as another potential suitor given Harbaugh’s ties to the team from his playing days.

PFT

 

Saints expect to hear from Cardinals about Sean Payton



It’s currently unknown whether the Cardinals will choose to make a coaching change, or whether coach Kliff Kingsbury will decide to leave. However, as the various pieces of the looming coaching carousel begin to align, one team with a former coach who is in play for 2023 vacancies is expecting receive a phone call from Arizona.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Saints currently expect to hear from the Cardinals regarding former New Orleans coach Sean Payton.


The Broncos already have requested and received permission to talk to Payton. No other team has officially contacted the Saints, yet.

Soon, more jobs likely will come open and interest in Payton could increase. He’s a proven commodity, one of the most successful coaches of the past generation. His mere presence can turn a team around, quickly enough to justify whatever would be surrendered to the Saints to get him.

The Cardinals are a very intriguing potential destination. Would Payton want to work with quarterback Kyler Murray? Would Payton be willing to accept the uncertainty regarding Murray’s ACL recovery and rehab?

Would Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill pay Payton what he wants, especially after financing current coach Kliff Kingsbury’s buyout? As explained during a recent episode of PFT Live, Kingsbury’s contract is guaranteed through 2026, with 2027 being an option year.

Soon, we’ll know whether Kingsbury will be gone. If he is, the Cardinals could become a hot spot for Payton’s services. Along with various other NFL cities.

PFT

 

People inside the Rams organization expect Sean McVay to leave

They ran it back. And they fell flat. Now, their head coach may walk away.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the feeling in building is that Rams coach Sean McVay is more likely to leave than to stay.



“There’s more people inside the building, when you talk to them, they’d be more surprised if he came back than if he left,” Glazer said.

Glazer also said he doesn’t think it will be long before McVay makes his decision. If that’s the case, it sounds as if the decision already has been made, and that he just needs to take some time to make sure it’s the right thing to do.

Considering where the Rams currently are, given the draft picks they’ve traded and the cash and cap commitment made to various aging players, it makes sense for McVay to tap out. It would have made even more sense for him to do it when he could have waltzed into the Amazon booth with Al Michaels.

PFT

 

Report: Panthers to interview Jim Caldwell, Frank Reich

A couple of former Colts head coaches are expected to interview with the Panthers soon.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that the Panthers are set to speak with Jim Caldwell and Frank Reich as they look for a permanent replacement for Matt Rhule. Interim head coach Steve Wilks is also expected to be a candidate in Carolina.

Caldwell was 26-22 in three seasons with the Colts and took the team to Super XLIV. He then went 36-28 in four seasons with the Lions that included a pair of trips to the postseason.

Reich was fired by the Colts after a 3-5-1 start this season. He was 40-33-1 over his entire tenure in Indianapolis and went 1-2 in two trips to the playoffs.

Reich also started three games at quarterback for the Panthers in 1995.

PFT

 

Not ideal...

 

I'd like to see Reich with Pittsburgh as the OC

 

Texans fire Lovie Smith, after one year



The Texans have extended their streak of one-and-done coaches from one to two.

The team has announced that Lovie Smith has been fired after one year on the job.


The former Bears and Buccaneers (and Illinois) coach got the job under bizarre circumstances last year. A member of the coaching staff under former coach David Culley, Smith wasn’t one of the three finalists for the job, and then he suddenly got the job.

It will be interesting to see how the Texans explain the decision. It’s not as if Smith had a loaded deck of players in 2023.

In his final game, Smith scored a late win over the Colts. The victory cost the Texans the first overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Smith, 64 led the Bears to Super Bowl XLI in 2006. He coached Chicago from 2004 through 2012, and the Bucs in 2014 and 2015.

PFT
_________
__________________

Not surprising.

 

Broncos request interview with Dan Quinn



The end of the regular season means that it is time to kick off head coaching searches around the league and the Broncos are off and running.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the team has requested an interview with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn interviewed with the Broncos last year before Denver hired Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired after 15 games on the job.


Quinn interviewed with several other teams as well, but wound up returning for a second season running the defense in Dallas. The Cowboys have qualified for the playoffs and will be in Tampa to face the Buccaneers next Monday night.

Quinn was 43-42 as the head coach of the Falcons. He went 3-2 in the playoffs and took the team to Super Bowl LI.

The Broncos are also expected to interview their defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. They’ve also spoken with former Saints head coach Sean Payton, but have to wait to formally interview him.

PFT

 

***BREAKING***

Cardinals fire Kliff Kingsbury



There is another head coaching vacancy.

The Cardinals have fired Kliff Kingsbury, according to multiple reports.


Team owner Michael Bidwill elected to make the move less than a calendar year after signing Kingsbury and General Manager Steve Keim to extensions through the 2027 season. As noted recently during an episode of PFT Live, Kingsbury’s contract is guaranteed through 2026, with 2027 being an option year.

The Saints are expecting to get a request from the Cardinals to interview Sean Payton.

Arizona started the 2021 season 10-2 but went 5-18 in the remainder of Kingsbury’s tenure — including a non-competitive postseason loss to the Rams in last year’s wild card round.

Kingsbury finishes his tenure 28-37-1 in the regular season with an 0-1 postseason record.

While Keim is currently on a medical leave of absence, the Cardinals are also not expected to retain him as G.M.

PFT
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_____________________

I think we all seen this coming.

 

...and,
The Broncos are adding another name to their list of head coaching candidates.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Broncos have requested an interview with Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Monday also brought word of a request to interview Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

...and
Though the Broncos have a clear need to retool their offense under their next head coach, they’re apparently loading up on candidates with a defensive background.

According to multiple reports, the Broncos have requested permission to interview 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

 

Wow.. they are cleaning house in the desert.

Steve Keim out as Cardinals GM

Shortly after firing head coach Kliff Kingsbury, the Cardinals also confirmed that General Manager Steve Keim is out as well.

Keim has been on a medical leave of absence and it has been widely expected for weeks that he wouldn’t be back. The Cardinals’ announcement said that Keim decided to step away to focus on his health.


That means the Cardinals are in the market for a new head coach and new GM, and that may make for a difficult pairing with their franchise quarterback, Kyler Murray. Although Murray has shown flashes of the potential that made him the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, it’s worth noting that most NFL personnel people weren’t as high on him heading into that draft as Keim and Kingsbury were. It’s entirely possible that the next coach and GM will have different ideas about what kind of offense they want to run and what kind of quarterback will run it.

Murray suffered a season-ending knee injury and likely won’t be ready for the start of 2023, so the next GM and head coach will at the very least need to identify a Week One starting quarterback. The bigger question is whether the new coach and GM will view Murray as their long-term answer.

PFT

 

Getting Flores would be a coup...

 

Titans begin lining up G.M. candidates



Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said on Monday that she will not rush the process of hiring the team’s next General Manager and a list of names that the team is considering is starting to be put together.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that they have already identified six candidates for the job, including a couple of in-house options. The Titans fired Jon Robinson last month after more than six years in the job.


The in-house candidates are vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden and director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort. Both have been candidates for other openings in recent years as well.

Rapoport reports that the Titans have also requested interviews with 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon, Browns assistant G.M. Glenn Cook, Bears assistant G.M. Ian Cunningham, and 49ers assistant G.M. Adam Peters.

 

Do we think Flores is going to be offered a head coaching job again, after the legal spat with the league? Because of all the re-treads out there, he's one that I feel is probably worth a legitimate look. And if he feels the same, he might not be interested in a coordinator job.