The GM's, Coach's, Carousel

Joe Burrow is lobbying to get the Bengals to resign him (Tee), It'll be interesting to see how the market goes for him.

 

Bengals are in good shape cap-wise, should be able to compete with any offer he gets and they should be able to get him locked up if he’s not prioritizing chasing every last penny, but you’re right it’ll be interesting to see if some team gives him Tyreek/Davante money on the open market

 

Saints fire offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael

The Saints are reshaping their offensive coaching staff.

New Orleans announced on Tuesday that the team has fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell, and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns.

“I would like to thank Pete, Bob, and Kodi for their service to the New Orleans Saints and to this coaching staff,” head coach Dennis Allen said in a statement. “These types of decisions are never easy to come to, but are necessary as we move forward.

“I would especially like to thank Pete for his contributions to this staff for 18 seasons. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the job he has done and as a colleague.”

Carmichael came under heavy criticism for New Orleans’ inconsistent offense in 2023, with the team finishing No. 9 in points and No. 14 in yards. The Saints scored at least 30 points just three times this season, including the 48-point performance in the Week 18 victory over the Falcons.

Carmichael had been New Orleans’ offensive coordinator since 2009. He joined the Saints staff as quarterbacks coach in 2006 — former head coach Sean Payton’s first year with the team.

Carmichael took over as the full-time play-caller once Payton left the organization following the 2021 season. He also called plays during Payton’s suspension in 2012.

Former Raiders and Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden could be a candidate to take over as offensive coordinator. Last week, Jeff Duncan of nola.com reported that New Orleans had interest in reuniting Gruden with quarterback Derek Carr. While that report indicated Gruden would have a title like senior offensive assistant, Carmichael is no longer in the building with the coordinator role.

PFT

 

Whole lotta fire, but no hire.

 

At the presser after the game the very last question asked was to Tomlin; paraphrasing, what will be your future with the Steelers contract wise? Tomlin saying not one word, turned around and walked away.

Today this... in part Per PFT

In a team meeting today, Tomlin told players that speculation about him stepping away is unfounded and he plans to coach the team in 2024, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

So unless Steelers ownership has other plans, Tomlin will be back for an 18th season coaching the team in 2024.

The upcoming season is the final year on Tomlin’s contract, and Tomlin is going to keep getting questions about that whether he likes it or not. But based on what he told the players today, he is the Steelers’ coach for at least another year.

 

Watt reiterated what teammate Cameron Heyward said in throwing support behind Mike Tomlin.

“I want to play for Mike T,” Watt said, via video from Mike DeFabo of TheAthletic.com. “It was huge in my contract talks is I don’t want to play for anyone other than Mike T. You guys understand and see in the way I talk about how much I respect and appreciate him as a coach, as a man, as a leader. That’s my endorsement for him.”

 

Watt loves Tomlin.

 

A lot of people and players do also.

 

Falcons interview Jim Harbaugh

The Falcons are talking to some big-name coaching candidates.

On Monday, it was former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. On Tuesday, it was Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

The Falcons announced on Tuesday night that the interview with Harbaugh has been completed.

Harbaugh interviewed with the Chargers on Monday. He’s also reportedly negotiating an extension with Michigan.

Other teams could pursue Harbaugh. For now, there are two — the Chargers and the Falcons. There are five other vacancies, and there could be more.

Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014, after his fourth season with the 49ers. He has spent nine at Michigan.

The Falcons have interviewed seven candidates in all to replace Arthur Smith, who was fired eight days ago after three straight 7-10 seasons.

PFT

 

Anyone else getting the feeling Harbaugh is doing this interview tour just to fatten his Michigan contract negotiations?

 

Report: Browns fire offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt

The Browns are reportedly making some big changes to their offensive coaching staff in the wake of their playoff loss to the Texans.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports that they have fired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, running backs coach Stump Mitchell, and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney.

Van Pelt joined the Browns when Kevin Stefanski became the team’s head coach in 2020. Stefanski calls the team’s offensive plays, so Van Pelt’s role was focused on other responsibilities during his time in Cleveland. He had been a quarterbacks coach for the Bengals and Packers before making the move to Cleveland.

Mitchell has spent more than two decades as an NFL assistant after playing in the league for 10 years and has been in Cleveland since 2019. McCartney joined the team as an offensive assistant in 2020 and moved to tight ends coach in 2022.
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Still more fire and no hire.

Browns need to get away from Watson also, so Stefanski has work to do. Im wondering if Flacco can be the bridge needed to hold the fort while they either work on a drafted rookie QB or maybe they snag an FA, but anyway I look at it, the QB position in Cleveland is in critical condition.

 

Nope. He's pulling a Pete Carroll and going to move on before the NCAA sanctions come down.

 

People keep forgetting he was 5-1 in 2023 before going on I/R.

Besides, "getting away" from Watson (from a Cap standpoint) is a mute point until, at least, 2025 or 2026.

 

But he wasnt all that impressive to me. His best game last year was against the Titans. The game against the Bengals was good tho, but imo, he isnt the future, or worth the money. He cant stay healthy. His QBR was 43 last year with the Browns before being shut down.

As far as the 'getting away from Watson', the Browns might have to realize they fucked up and have to pay the piper and move on. I just dont think he's the future and its just an observational opinion on my part.

In my opinion, FWIW, he hasnt proven shit... he's average, not reliable and not the answer. I personally believe he's one of the greatest and richest overpaid blunders in the history of the NFL.

 

Maybe they have, in fact, realized they fucked up. But . . . (as I said) moving on is currently a mute point.

The Browns are currently about $14,000,000 OVER THE CAP for 2024 and Watson's "dead money" is about $200,000,000. His contract (and performance, to date) makes him untradable. Moving on, at this point in time, is not an option.

When you pick (or life gives you) lemons - make lemonade.

 

Definitely can’t take a 200 million cap hit. You would have to keep him on the roster for at least three years to make the cap hit manageable.

 

The Steelers split offensive coordinator duties up after firing Matt Canada during the 2023 season, but neither running backs coach Eddie Faulkner nor quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan are going to remain in the job in 2024.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said at a Thursday press conference that neither of the two coaches is currently under consideration to take the job on a permanent basis. Tomlin said he has started gathering information about candidates from outside the organization and gave a succinct answer to why he’s going that route.

“I just feel it’s appropriate,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin also said that he would prefer that the team’s next coordinator has previous experience in that role and it seems likely that names of candidates will start to come to light in the near future.

 

Ed Werder of ESPN reports that Quinn is expected back as the team’s defensive coordinator if he doesn’t get a head coaching job. Quinn has completed two of five scheduled interviews.

The Cowboys announced Mike McCarthy will return for the final year of his contract, but the team’s head coach was not definitive on Quinn’s future.

“Dan is a highly-valued member of our coaching staff. We’ll go through the process here,” McCarthy said, via Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press.

 

As reported by, Joe...



Players really liked this guy.

 

Embracing the Raider way and Silver and Black swagger, Pierce won over the locker room in quick fashion this past season. He coached them to memorable victories, such as a win over the New York Giants in his debut, a 63-21 demolishing of the Los Angeles Chargers and a streak-busting triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 45-year-old took on his interim role with little NFL coaching experience. Prior to coaching the Raiders for the last nine games of this past campaign, Pierce was amid his second season with the club as its linebackers coach. Prior to that, Pierce was a defensive assistant and coordinator at Arizona State following his time as head coach of Long Beach Poly High in California.

A nine-season NFL linebacker with Washington and the New York Giants from 2001-2009, Pierce was a hard-nosed player who earned a Pro Bowl bid and a Super Bowl win.

In his short time with the Raiders, he proved to be the polar opposite of McDaniels, bringing energy, volume and swagger to the club.

Players such as Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby have voiced their support for Pierce. It should make for a smoother start for Pierce, but he has plenty of work ahead.

No. 1 will be a decision at quarterback. Ahead of the 2023 campaign, the Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo, who had a history with McDaniels. Garoppolo has a $28.5 million cap number in 2024 with $11.25 million guaranteed. Pierce went with rookie Aidan O'Connell as his starter, and though the first-year QB flashed promise, he certainly isn't an overwhelming favorite to build the offense around.

Running back Josh Jacobs, who was sidelined at the end of the season with a quad injury, is an impending free agent, as well.

Las Vegas has been to the playoffs just twice over the past 21 seasons and hasn't won a division title or a playoff game since 2002.

Pierce reinvigorated the fanbase and the Raiders players during his interim stay.

Now, he's earned the full-time job and will look to return the franchise to its winning ways of autumns past when the Raiders conquered and won consistently.

in part from; NFL.com