The GM's, Coach's, Carousel

Broncos announce Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator, 15 other coaches



Word about the coaches who would be joining Sean Payton‘s staff in Denver has trickled in since Payton took the job earlier this month and the team officially announced 16 hires on Saturday.

The announcement included definitive word about Joe Lombardi’s role with the team. Reports of his hiring came without a specific title, but the Broncos announced that he will be the offensive coordinator. Lombardi had the same job with the Chargers the last two years and he had two stints as Payton’s quarterbacks coach with the Saints.


The Broncos have also hired pass game coordinator John Morton, wide receivers coach Keary Colbert, tight ends coach Declan Doyle, and offensive line coach Zach Strief. The team is reportedly set to hire Davis Webb as their quarterbacks coach, but he was not among the coaches announced on Saturday.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be joined by inside linebackers coach Greg Manusky, outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite, defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, and defensive backs coach Christian Parker. Dixon and Parker are holdovers from last season’s staff.

As previously reported, Mike Westhoff will be assistant head coach, Ben Kotwica will serve as special teams coordinator, and Chris Banjo will be the assistant special teams coach.

The Broncos also named Dan Dalrymple as their head strength and conditioning coach, Korey Jones as their assistant strength and conditioning coach, and Paul Kelly as the assistant to the head coach.

PFT

 

Chargers name Derrick Ansley defensive coordinator



When Renaldo Hill left the Chargers last week to join the Dolphins coaching staff, word was that Los Angeles would name Derrick Ansley their new defensive coordinator.

That move became official on Monday. The team announced that Ansley has been promoted into his new job after spending the last two seasons as their secondary coach.


Ansley worked at Tennessee and Alabama before moving into the NFL ranks with the Chargers. He was the defensive coordinator while at Tennessee.

In addition to the Ansley move, the Chargers also announced several other previously reported moves. Tom Donatell has been promoted to passing game coordinator and secondary coach while the team has added linebackers coach Jeff Howard, defensive quality control coach Robert Muschamp, and quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier to Brandon Staley’s coaching staff.

PFT

 

Eagles promote Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator



The Eagles didn’t have to look far to find their new offensive coordinator.

Brian Johnson is being promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.


The offensive coordinator position in Philadelphia became vacant when Shane Steichen was hired as the Colts’ head coach after the Super Bowl. Johnson was considered a potential offensive coordinator for other teams, but he ultimately decided to stay put and get a promotion.

The primary head coach of the Eagles’ offense is head coach Nick Sirianni, but Sirianni wants the offensive coordinator to call plays, and that will now be Johnson’s job.

PFT
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Brian Johnson will take over as soon as his AC/DC tour is over.

 

Eagles announce Sean Desai as their new defensive coordinator

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll announced the news Tuesday that the Eagles have hired Sean Desai as their new defensive coordinator. The Eagles since have confirmed it.

Desai replaces Jonathan Gannon, who was hired by the Cardinals to be their head coach.


“His overall knowledge of football and football IQ are extremely high,” head coach Nick Sirianni said. “Great detail. He’s a really sharp coach. I’m excited that he’s on our staff.”

Desai served as the Seahawks’ associate head coach-defense in 2022, his 10th season coaching in the NFL.

The Eagles also officially named Brian Johnson as the new offensive coordinator Tuesday and announced additional moves on the offensive coaching staff.

PFT

 

Report: Robert Kraft made decision to part ways with Bill Belichick after Week 10 loss to Colts



At a time when many believe the 24-year relationship between Patriots owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick will soon be ending, a new report indicates that the decision already has been made.

Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston, via Hayden Bird of Boston.com, said Monday that Kraft already made the decision to make a change after New England’s Week 10 loss to the Colts in Frankfurt.

“When they came out of Germany, conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made,” Curran said. “They were going to play out the string, and at the end of the year, there would be a parting of the ways for a variety of reasons.”

Curran added that the parting of the ways could include a de facto trade of Belichick to a new team. That would explain the decision not to fire Belichick during the season.

Since the 10-6 loss to the Colts, the Patriots lost to the Giants and the Chargers before upsetting the Steelers last Thursday night.

“Just because they won last week in Pittsburgh in primetime, I don’t think it quells anything,” Curran said.

That one win might not change things, but more wins could — in theory. Any decision is subject to change before implementation. If the Patriots win their final four games (Chiefs, at Broncos, at Bills, Jets), that could potentially spark a reversal. Even a 3-1 record down the stretch might prompt Kraft to continue a relationship that he recently cited, unprompted, when explaining on ESPN’s College GameDay the importance of employment longevity within his various business concerns.

Still, the loss in Germany becomes a sensible tipping point, given the significance Kraft attached to that game.

“This is our thirtieth year that I’ve had the privilege of owning this team, and I’ve never been 2-7,” Kraft told Rich Eisen before the Colts game. “So it’s really disappointing and I hoped that things would be a lot better, as I know our fan base did. And I hope today is a chance to reset and make this a much better year. This isn’t what we were expecting to happen this year.”

The Patriots are currently 3-10. While 7-10 would still make the season a failure, ending on a five-game winning streak could change the vibe heading into the offseason.

Another important consideration becomes Belichick’s wishes. Does he want to stick around, or is he looking for a fresh start?

Again, nothing is done until it’s done. Whatever the decision might be, it can still be altered when the dust settles on the 2023 drsdon. At this point, it seems as if it would take a lot to keep Belichick in place — especially if he’s thinking that it’s time to make a change after nearly a quarter of a century in the same job.

PFT

 

So it's a done deal, unless it isn't? That is some groundbreaking reporting, well done Tom Curran!!

 

The Chiefs don't seem like an awesome team yes Patrick Mahomes is awesome but they miss Eric Bieniemy IMO

 

I think it's moreso they miss competent WRs. The plays are still there to be made, but WRs are running bad routes or dropping passes, all while struggling to separate

 

34 drops by chiefs wrs. They brought back hardman to stretch the field the WR they should have tried to grab back is JuJu. Nothing flashy but he was 2nd in targets, receptions, yards and first downs. Lot of.peeps are down on the chiefs but if they solve the drop problem they will find their way right back into the Superbowl.

 

That's true also the wide receivers are pretty bad and dropping passes

 

Chargers name Giff Smith interim HC, JoJo Wooden interim G.M.

The Chargers have named their interim replacements for former head coach Brandon Staley and former General Manager Tom Telesco, who were fired earlier on Friday.

Outside linebackers coach Giff Smith will take over as interim head coach and director of player personnel JoJo Wooden will be the team’s interim G.M., the team announced.

Smith has been with the Chargers since 2016 — the club’s last season in San Diego. He served as the defensive line coach from 2016-2021 before moving to outside linebackers in 2022. He previously worked as the Titans defensive line coach from 2014-2015 and the Bills defensive line coach from 2010-2012.

Wooden has been with the organization since 2013, overseeing the club’s pro and college scouting. He was with the Jets front office from 1997-2012.

The Chargers will have a long weekend before coming back to host the Bills next Saturday night.

NBC

 

Report: Matt Patricia takes charge of the Eagles defense from Sean Desai

A year after running an offense in New England, Matt Patricia is back to running a defense.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that the Eagles have made a change at defensive coordinator. Sean Desai is out, and Matt Patricia is in.

Desai, per the report, will stay with the team in a “different capacity.” Patricia, however, is now running the defense and calling the plays.

It’s unclear when it happened, and why the team hasn’t simply announced it. On Wednesday, Desai did the midweek defensive coordinator press conference.

Desai remains listed as the defensive coordinator on the team’s official website. Patricia remains listed as senior defensive assistant.

Apparently, the change has been made. At some point, the Eagles will need to say so.

NBC

 

Steelers want Mike Tomlin back, with an extension

There’s plenty of noise outside the building regarding the future of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Inside the building, it’s business as usual.

As explained during the Bengals-Steelers pregame show on NBC, the Steelers have no desire to make a change. And they have no reason to think Tomlin wants to leave the place where he has worked since 2007.

In fact, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Steelers intend to extend Tomlin’s contract before the 2024 season begins. Already, Tomlin is directly involved in roster planning for 2024 and 2025. He’s giving no indication that he’s unhappy or disgruntled or ready for something new.

Could another team call the Steelers in the offseason and try to essentially trade for Tomlin? Sure. But the Steelers don’t want Tomlin to go. And they have no reason to believe Tomlin wants to be anywhere other than where he currently is.

Some fans won’t like that. I’ll tell them what I always say when they complain about Tomlin: be careful what you wish for. There’s no guarantee the Steelers will find someone as good or better, and it’s likely that Tomlin will land on his feet and thrive, wherever he would go if he doesn’t stay in Pittsburgh.

 

Panthers fire General Manager Scott Fitterer

An ugly season in Carolina has cost Panthers General Manager Scott Fitterer his job.

“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,” Panthers owner David Tepper said. “I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish the best for him and his family.”

Fitterer, who was hired in 2021, made the decision last year to trade up to the No. 1 pick in the draft and take quarterback Bryce Young. That decision isn’t looking great right now, given how much the Panthers gave up and how much better No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud has looked than Young, although it’s still possible that Young could develop into the Panthers’ franchise quarterback.

The Panthers fired head coach Frank Reich during the season, so Tepper is starting from scratch in his football operation, looking for a new head coach and a new general manager to rebuild a team that has plenty of roster holes and doesn’t have a first-round draft pick.

PFT

 

Falcons fire Arthur Smith: Ranking 5 head coaching possibilities for Atlanta, including Bill Belichick

The Atlanta Falcons are on the hunt for a new head coach. On Sunday night, the team fired Arthur Smith after three straight 7-10 seasons leading the organization, all of which found them on the outside looking in on the playoffs. While the Falcons have not finished better than third in the NFC South in each of the last four seasons, this should be looked at as a pretty attractive opening for prospective candidates.

Over the last few seasons, Atlanta has used high draft capital to bring in high-ceiling players at the skill positions, like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. On top of that, the team did invest heavily on the defensive side of the ball last offseason and allowed just 5.0 yards per play in 2023, which ranked inside the top 10 in the league. Part of Smith's demise was the inability to get those offensive weapons firing on all cylinders, and will be a key priority for whoever Arthur Blank decides to bring aboard.

The Falcons also have the No. 8 overall pick at the 2024 NFL Draft, which could be a key tool in finding their franchise quarterback and making this an even more appealing landing spot. As for who could come in to replace Smith, let's take a look at a couple of top options.

1. Bill Belichick
Current position: Head coach, New England Patriots

As things stand on the Monday morning following Week 18, Bill Belichick is still a member of the New England Patriots. However, if Robert Kraft decides to part ways with the legendary head coach, he instantly becomes the top dog in any head coaching search, including here with the Falcons. In fact, The Athletic's Diana Russini reported on Monday that Atlanta is a team that is interested in Belichick if he shakes loose.

One aspect that has been talked about whenever discussing Belichick joining a new team is how much control he'll have over personnel. At the moment Terry Fontenot is the GM of the Falcons, but I don't think that'll be a deterrent for Belichick. He told reporters on Monday that he's open to relinquishing player personnel duties in New England, so it stands to reason he'd be fine with not having it at his next stop either.

Belichick would have instant credibility coming to Atlanta and, so long as they can bring in a stable QB, would be a legit threat in the division race in 2024.

2. Ben Johnson
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions

Johnson is the hot young name this hiring cycle and for good reason. He's helped turn Detroit into a division champion for the first time since 1993, and has led an offense that has been among the top in the NFL over the last few seasons. Johnson also can hang his hat on developing Jared Goff and stabilizing his career after coming over in a trade with the Rams. Putting the 37-year-old in charge of an offense that has players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts would be an exciting pairing, and possibly a tempting situation for Johnson to pursue. Given what Johnson has done with Goff, the Falcons should have tremendous confidence in his ability to maximize whatever player they bring in at quarterback, whether that be a rookie with the No. 8 overall pick or a veteran.

3. Jim Harbaugh
Current position: Head coach, University of Michigan

Harbaugh, who is vying for a national championship with Michigan on Monday night, has flirted with a return to the NFL over the past few years and that has ramped up a bit this cycle with the reported hiring of agent Don Yee. Similar to Belichick, Harbaugh coming in would give the Falcons instant credibility and a coach who has experience coaching on a massive stage, including a Super Bowl appearance when he was with the 49ers. The question is whether Harbaugh views Atlanta as the right spot for his next leap into the NFL, which could come down to what they have at quarterback. If the Falcons could pair Harbaugh with a serviceable quarterback, they could arguably be division favorites to begin the 2024 campaign.

4. Bobby Slowik
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Houston Texans

Slowik has just one year of offensive play-calling duties under his belt, but I'd bet he'll be among the hottest candidates this cycle, specifically for what he was able to do with C.J. Stroud. The Texans OC was able to help Stroud to one of the most prolific rookie seasons in league history as Houston won the AFC South. If the Falcons decide to go young at quarterback and take one high at the draft, Slowik could be a great pairing as he's already shown that he can maximize a rookie on Day 1. He'd also mesh well with the overall young core that the Falcons have built on the offensive side of the ball.

5. Frank Smith
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Miami Dolphins

Smith doesn't call offensive plays for the Dolphins, which may hurt his candidacy in certain instances. That said, his head coach, Mike McDaniel, didn't have play-calling duties when he was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco and has turned out to be among the brightest young coaches in the league, so it's not exactly a dealbreaker. Smith has helped lead one of the most electrifying offenses in the league when Miami is fully healthy and could be someone who can maximize the unique talent that the Falcons have on offense with Robinson, Pitts, etc.

cBS

 

Commanders plan to hire head of football operations before head coach

Names of candidates the Commanders want to speak with about their head coaching and head of football operations vacancies have trickled in since the team announced head coach Ron Rivera’s firing on Monday morning and team owner Josh Harris outlined how he’d like to see things proceed at a Monday press conference.

Harris told reporters that he sees the two jobs as separate and demanding enough that he is not looking for one person who would wear both hats, although he is willing to keep an open mind as the process unfolds. Harris also said that he hopes to have the head of football operations in place first so that they would be part of the coaching search.

Former Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman and former Golden State Warriors General Manager Bob Myers are working with ownership on their searches and Harris said he expects Myers to continue to have a role with the organization beyond that role.

Harris said he thinks both jobs will be attractive due to the team’s cap space and draft assets and that he wants to be “thorough but rapid” while moving toward hires that they hope will usher in a more successful era of football in Washington.

 

Raiders request interviews with Adam Peters, Ed Dodds for G.M.

As the Raiders enter the offseason searching for a new head coach and General Manager, the team has reportedly made a couple of interview requests.

Multiple reports indicate Las Vegas has requested to interview Colts assistant G.M. Ed Dodds and 49ers assistant G.M. Adam Peters for the team’s G.M. vacancy

Dodds has been with the Colts since 2017, serving as assistant G.M. for the last six years. Peters just completed his third season as the 49ers assistant G.M. following four seasons as vice president of player personnel for the organization.

Both Dodds and Peters have been up for various G.M. jobs in recent offseasons.

The Raiders are also expected to take a serious look at their own interim G.M. Champ Kelly for the full-time role. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce is also expected to get serious consideration for the full-time job after the team went 5-4 in his tenure.

 

Report: Jaguars fire defensive staff, including coordinator Mike Caldwell

After what Doug Pederson called a “wasted” season, the Jaguars have moved to fix things.

They have fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and his staff, Greg Auman of Fox reports.

Caldwell spent the past two seasons coordinating the team’s defense in his first stint in that role. He previously coached linebackers for the Eagles, Cardinals, Jets and Bucs.

The Jaguars ranked 22nd in total defense, including 26th in passing, and 17th in scoring defense.

Jacksonville began the season 8-3 before losing five of its last six games, and Sunday’s 28-20 loss to the Titans cost them the AFC South title and a playoff berth.

Head coach Doug Pederson praised offensive coordinator Press Taylor on Monday. Taylor assumed play-calling duties on a full-time basis this season.

 

Wink Martindale, resigned his DC job with the Giants. He was there 2 seasons.

 

Report: Wink Martindale cursed out Brian Daboll after learning of defensive staff firings

Reports that Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale officially resigned his position proved to be untrue, but it still doesn’t look like there is a future for their relationship.

Martindale’s response to head coach Brian Daboll’s choice to make changes to the coaching staff are a big reason for that. The Giants dismissed outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins — both of whom accompanied Martindale in his move from the Ravens to the Giants — and Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports that Martindale “cursed out Daboll, said his piece, got up, slammed the door and walked out of the building” upon hearing the news.

Per Schwartz, there was a feeling that Martindale and Drew Wilkins were “creating their own fiefdom within the coaching staff” and bypassing Daboll when it came to making decisions about the defense. There were reports during the season about problems in the relationship between Daboll and Martindale as well. Daboll said Monday that he expected Martindale to return in 2024, but that was before the firings and rancorous meeting took place.

Martindale was seen at the airport Tuesday boarding a flight to his home in Florida, which is not the usual mode of operation for coordinators at the end of a season. Resigning would leave Martindale without the $3 million he is due for the 2024 season and the Giants could block his ability to pursue other jobs. Getting fired would take those options off the table, but there hasn’t been a sign that the Giants are ready to go that route right now.
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Sounds like fun times in New York!