NFL Player News

Joe Burrow enters the Divisional Round behind an offensive line decimated by injuries, facing a Buffalo defense with the NFL’s 14th highest pressure rate. Burrow last week against the Ravens was sacked four times while narrowly avoiding a handful of other sacks and facing pressure on nearly every second half drop back. Expect Burrow to pepper his short-area targets against the Bills.

Heiden has just one season of offensive line coach experience under his belt, having coached the position for the Cardinals in 2018. He coached tight ends with the Cardinals (2019-2022) and Lions (2023-2024) after that. Heiden follows new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn from Detroit to the Big Apple. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes Lions pass game coordinator “Tanner Engstrand [is] the favorite to come aboard as” the Jets’ new offensive coordinator.

The Dolphins have multiple coaches on the Senior Bowl staff and obviously some front office members in town as well. Given Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history, backup quarterback is a more important position for them compared to most teams. Milroe threw for 6,016 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions across four seasons, two of which he spent as the primary starter. The Bama alum is also a gifted runner but needs to hone his accuracy before seeing the field as a pro. Whether or not it’s Milroe, expect Miami to invest more in Tua’s backup this offseason.

Carter joined the NFL ranks three years ago as a quality control coach with the Broncos. He worked under current Panthers DC Ejiro Evero during his time in Denver. Carter then spent two years as an assistant defensive line coach with the Rams. He is now reunited with Evero in Carolina.

Whitecotton has generally followed former Jets head coach Robert Saleh wherever he goes, coaching under Saleh with the Jets, 49ers and Jaguars. Whitecotton brings an exciting track record with him to Dallas. The Jets’ defensive line totaled 75.0 NFL sacks over the last two seasons; good for the eight-most in the NFL.

Grizzard entered the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive quality control coach with the Dolphins in 2017. He switched to the overall quality control coach for the 2019 season before handling wide receiver coach duties in 2020-2021. He then returned to the offensive quality control coach role when Mike McDaniel was hired as head coach in 2022. The Buccaneers later brought him over to fill the pass game coordinator role in 2024. The Buccaneers’ passing offense was highly successful this season and the team no doubt values the potential schematic continuity Grizzard offers following Liam Coen’s departure.

Hewitt signed on with the Ravens in 2012 as a defensive backs coach and later assumed the defensive pass game coordinator position in 2020. Hewitt added secondary coach responsibilities in 2022 before receiving the assistant head coach title in 2024 as well. Hewitt interviewed for the Jaguars defensive coordinator vacancy earlier this month.

Jurgens gets an extended break to rehab his nagging back issue, as does Dickerson, who is listed with a knee injury. Dickerson notably suffered a knee injury in Week 15 against the Steelers but avoided missing time, aside from Week 18, which many Eagles starters took off. Both players can be safely expected to play in Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs.

Lazor has had three stints as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. None lasted more than two seasons and he was fired midway through his second year in Miami. Of his six offenses, only one finished above the league average in points or yards. Lazor has spent the past two years in Houston. While the Texans had to make a change following a wildly disappointing 2024 season on offense, going from Bobby Slowik to Lazor would be a particularly uninspiring move for the franchise.

The concussion forced Gainwell from play in the NFC Championship Game but the knee issue is new. No. 3 RB Will Shipley proved he can handle the Eagles’ primary backup role last week but Gainwell does have ample time to get back to being game-ready.

The ankle issue sidelined Goedert for two practices last week but he successfully played through it, catching 7-of-8 targets for 85 yards. Goedert should be good to go for Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs.