NFL Player News

It seems fitting that Maine would produce Mr. Irrelevent. Even if he doesn’t make the Raiders, McMahan will be the guest of honor for the most bizarre tradition in sports: Mr. Irrelevent week in Newport, CA this June.

The move makes too much sense not to happen unless Saleh unexpectedly lands a head coacing gig. He has an interview lined up with the Jaguars next week, though he isn’t likely to be their first choice with rising stars like Ben Jonhson and Aaron Glenn on the market. Saleh spent four years as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator before being hired away by the Jets. Even his firing proved how valuable Saleh was on the defensive side of the ball as the Jets’ defense utterly collapsed the moment they parted ways with him. If Saleh doesn’t get another shot at being a head coach this year, we fully expect him to return to San Francisco.

Spytek previously held the title of Vice President of Player Personnel for the Bucs before being promoted to assistant GM two seasons ago. He is one of six interview requests the Titans have made. Fellow Tampa Bay staffer Mike Greenberg also has an interview request from the Jets. Having flawlessly transitioned from the Tom Brady era to the Baker Mayfield era, the Bucs front office will rightfully get plenty of looks for new jobs elsewhere in the league.

We don’t have the full injury report yet, but even a limited session puts Doubs on track to play this weekend. He was a surprise addition to the injury report on Saturday because of an illness. The Packers then held him out on Sunday. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after the game Doubs was “in no shape” to play because of the illness. Fantasy managers playing in postseason contests can safely pencil him in for his usual role and then some this week. With Christian Watson done for the year, Doubs should see even more work versus Philly.

The Titans, fresh off firing former GM Ran Carthon after two years at the helm, will talk with Dodds, who has been discussed as a potential replacement for Colts GM Chris Ballard. Dodds — who is reportedly close with Colts owner Jim Irsay — would appear to be more likely to stay in Indy before bailing to an undesirable job in the Titans front office.

Brady, per Pelissero, wanted to know “what it would take” to lure Belichick away from the University of North Carolina job he took a few weeks ago. Belichick’s deal with the university is over five years, though Belichick reportedly has easy outs in the deal. The Raiders this week fired head coach Antonio Pierce after one disastrous season at the helm. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Belichick could be on the Raiders sideline in 2025.

It’s an important step for Hurts, who has been in the NFL’s concussion protocol since sustaining a brain injury in Week 16 against the Commanders. If Hurts is able to clear the protocol by Thursday or Friday, he should be good to go for Sunday’s Wild Card matchup against the Packers. Hurts had 278 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Packers in Week 1 along with 33 rushing yards. It was the third highest passing total of Hurts’ 2024 campaign.

Sorensen was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2024 season, but it seems the 49ers will move on from him at that role. NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocoo reports the team still hopes to retain Sorensen to the coaching staff, but will be looking elsewhere for defensive coordinator. It will be Kyle Shanahan’s fourth defensive coordinator in four years as the rumor mill will begin to churn for which defensive coach will join the staff.

The Bears continue their head coaching due diligence, now lining up an interview with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. ESPN’s Adam Schefter had previously reported Carroll had interest in the Bears job, and now the feeling looks to be mutual. The 73-year-old spent 14 seasons with the Seahawks, finding postseason success and winning a Super Bowl. He was under contract with the Seahawks in an advisory role for 2024, but is now released from that commitment with Seattle’s season concluded. Amidst the several head coaching interviews the Bears have ahead of them, Carroll is one of the older but more decorated options.

The Bears had requested to interview McCarthy on Monday for their head coaching vacancy, but the possibility of him heading to the Windy City has lessened. The Cowboys denied the Bears’ request, perhaps an indicator they view McCarthy as a part of their 2025 plans. The Bears still have a long list of candidates to interview while the Cowboys are reeling from a 7-10 season. If they still want to interview McCarthy, they can do so after January 14th, when his exclusive negotiating window with the Cowboys expires. Meanwhile, the Cowboys look prepared to go down the path of retaining McCarthy; it would be his sixth season with the team.

Hodgins last played for the Giants in 2024, catching two passes for 12 yards while primarily spending time on the practice squad. He was used less and less by New York, totaling 33 receptions for 351 yards for the Giants in 2022, and 21 receptions for 230 yards in 2023. The 26-year-old now joins the 49ers on a reserve/future deal, giving him a chance to make the squad over the course of the offseason.