NFL Player News

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a source told him Hopkins’ four-week absence is likely but not guaranteed, indicating that he could miss more time. Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky reported earlier this week that Hopkins “could miss four to six weeks,” which appears to be in line with the team’s thinking. In his first season with the Titans, Hopkins posted a receiving line of 75-1,057-7 while averaging 14.7 YPR — the third-highest average of his career. His absence could make life tough for Will Levis in what’s expected to be a revamped passing attack in 2024, but he still has Calvin Ridley, who could absorb a significant target share if Hopkins misses time in the regular season.

Clements coordinated the Bills offense in 2004-2005 and the Packers from 2012-2014, but he is most known as a quarterbacks coach. He was Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach from 2006-2011, winning a Super Bowl in the process as he helped develop Aaron Rodgers into one of the NFL’s best. The 71-year-old has served as Packers quarterback coach for the last three seasons after a short stint in Arizona. He’s also coached quarterbacks for the Saints, Chiefs, and Steelers over a career that started more than 30 years ago.

This was regarded as a likely outcome following the Cowboys parting ways with McCarthy yesterday. The former Saints offensive coordinator from 2000-2004 has worked with GM Mickey Loomis before, and the Saints have prioritized trying to find people with experience in their building in this coaching search. McCarthy will speak with the Bears ahead of this interview, and those are the only two teams he’s talking to at this point. We’d expect more teams to follow shortly.

Today’s main character has emerged. The Falcons defense had a mini-resurgence after their bye week under recently-fired Jimmy Lake, but weren’t able to sustain it down the stretch against the Commanders and Panthers with a chance to get into the playoffs. Michigan finished sixth in defensive FEI (Fremeau Efficiency Rating) last season under Martindale’s eye, and the longtime NFL defensive coordinator looks to be eyeing a return to the professional ranks. He’s also interviewing with the Colts on Friday.

Martindale, 61, is a long-time NFL defensive coordinator who is known for his aggression. His most recent NFL experience was with the Giants defense in 2022-2023, but he also coordinated the Ravens and Broncos defenses at the NFL level. It would seem a jarring fit to transition from a Gus Bradley scheme to Martindale’s big blitz tactics, but the Colts are at least interested in understand what Martindale thinks it would look like. The interview will reportedly take place on Friday.

“We are certainly open to considering those guys, but we have a lot of work ahead of us,” Tomlin told reporters Tuesday. It’s hardly a surprise given the shortcomings of both Fields and Wilson as Pittsburgh’s starter in 2024. Wilson, who appeared this fall to be on his way to establishing himself as the Steelers’ medium-term starter, collapsed down the stretch and would seem unlikely to return to the team for next season. Fields, meanwhile, could stick around if he doesn’t get interest from elsewhere. Fields in 2024 was 21st in quarterback success rate among 42 qualifying QBs while Wilson ranked 33rd.

Borgonzi, widely viewed as a strong candidate for the Jets’ GM opening, is among the many front office candidates interviewing for the Titans general manager vacancy. Tennessee enters the offseason with the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. Borgonzi has been closely involved in the Chiefs’ roster building throughout the Mahomes era and should land a GM job sooner rather than later.

Woody Johnson and the Jets continue to add names to their head coaching search as the organization prepares for yet another reset following a disastrous 2024 season. This is the first head coaching interview for Whitt, who joined Dan Quinn’s Washington staff in 2024 after bouncing around in various roles with the Cowboys, Bears, Packers, and Falcons. Under Whitt, the Commanders allowed the 12th fewest yards and the 15th most points. Washington ranked 18th in success rate allowed in 2024.

Sullivan is also talking to the Titans about their general manager opening as Tennessee seeks the right GM ahead of their first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sullivan has served as Green Bay’s VP of player personnel since 2022. Before that, he was the team’s co-director of player personnel for four seasons. Dealing with Jets owner Woody Johnson and his teenage sons could prove to be a deterrent for potential Jets GM candidates.

Among the most sought after front office hires in this cycle, Spytek is also talking to the Titans about their GM opening. A second interview means the Raiders are likely to offer the job to Spytek, Tampa’s assistant GM for the past two seasons who was integral in creating the Bucs roster that won the Super Bowl following the 2020 season. Tom Brady, minority owner of the Raiders, was of course part of that team.

Pickens, always an emotional player, was downright malignant in the Steelers organization in 2024, showing up late to games, screaming at fans, and getting flagged for baffling personal foul penalties. His behavior turned harmful to the team when Pittsburgh quarterbacks weren’t peppering him with targets. Pickens often looked disinterested, even if the Steelers were winning or in a tight game. Following a Pickens sideline meltdown against the Bengals in Week 13, head coach Mike Tomlin said the wideout needed to “grow up.” “The organization needs to learn its lesson and realize if it’s ever going to win a playoff game again, it needs players who at least show up to work on time,” DeFabo said, adding that the Steelers should part ways with Pickens and sign one of free agency’s top receivers. With players like Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Marquise Brown, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, and Stefon Diggs available this offseason, it’s a viable path for the middling Steelers.