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The journeyman quarterback will look for a backup role elsewhere. Also waived/released by the Bengals on Tuesday were CB Jalen Davis, DT Travis Bell, CB Nate Brooks, WR Cole Burgess, OT Devin Cochran, HB Elijah Collins, DT Carlos Davis, DT Domenique Davis, C Nate Gilliam, TE Cam Grandy, LB Devin Harper, LB Shaka Heyward, C Trey Hill, WR Shedrick Jackson, S PJ Jules, WR Kendric Pryor and CB Lance Robinson.

The Jets and Jaguars are interviewing Blough for their quarterback coach vacancies while the Bears want him as a pass game coordinator. Blough only joined the coaching ranks a year ago following the end of his playing career. His success working with superstar rookie Jayden Daniels has obviously earned him a promotion.

Harris, who parted ways with the Titans at the end of the regular season, is in the running to work as Aaron Glenn’s defensive coordinator. Glenn said he won’t call plays as New York’s head coach. Harris has taken on various roles with the Titans, Commanders, Chargers, and Bears since entering the coaching ranks in 2012 following his NFL career as a safety. Tennessee’s defense last season allowed the NFL’s fifth highest drop back EPA.

Widely considered a strictly boundary option coming into the league, Thomas made the most of his slot opportunities. Twenty-eight percent of Thomas’ 2024 routes came from the slot, and only Puka Nacua and Marvin Mims had a higher yards per route run from the slot. “I did not know he had the ability to do what he did in the slot,” Coen said. “I probably didn’t evaluate him hard enough, but also, they did a good job getting that right.” Only six receivers had more yards after the catch on slot targets than Thomas in 2024. He was fifth in wideout receiving yards as a rookie. Coen’s offense could funnel more short-area targets to Thomas in 2025, making him an elite fantasy option in all formats.

Caley, another on the Sean McVay coaching tree, is also in the running for the Texans’ OC gig. Caley has spent the past two seasons under McVay in LA after serving multiple offensive roles for the Patriots from 2015 to 2022. Tampa is looking to fill their offensive coordinator opening after Liam Coen reneged on a contract extension to take the Jacksonville head coaching job.

Prescott said he was enthused to continue working under Schottenheimer, who has served as the Dallas offensive coordinator over the past two seasons. “The simple conversation I had with (owner) Jerry (Jones), post the decision of Mike walking, was simply that, the continuity,” Prescott said. “They wanted to keep continuity. Obviously had a lot of success with this group, with these men, and knew this was important to me. And Shotty has been a huge factor in that, setting up the game plan, creating the game plan. If you wanted to find continuity in place, look no further than Shotty.” Prescott struggled in 2024, throwing 11 touchdowns over eight games before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury that all but ended the Cowboys season. In 2023, Prescott posted 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns in a Dallas offense that ranked third in success rate and second in EPA per play. The Cowboys in 2025 offense should look awfully familiar under Schottenheimer.

Boyd, who followed former Bengals OC Brian Callahan to Tennessee last offseason, had a meager 39 catches for 390 yards over 16 games in 2024 — his lowest totals since 2017. Boyd, 30, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. His best bet for more playing time and opportunities would likely be a team without much wideout depth, though that describes the 2024 Titans pretty accurately.

McCarthy has decided to forego coaching for the 2025 season and will focus on the 2026 hiring cycle. The Saints head coaching job was the last one available, but with Eagles OC Kellen Moore emerging as a frontrunner, it was not enticing enough for McCarthy to keep his name in New Orleans’ search. He coached the Cowboys for the past five seasons, but parted ways with the team after the 2024 season. McCarthy has made the playoffs in 12-of-18 head coaching seasons between the Packers and Cowboys, including a Super Bowl XLV win. The Saints now turn to their remaining head coaching options, Kellen Moore chief among them.

Bieniemy was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from 2018-2022 for the early stages of Patrick Mahomes’ career, though he was not the play-caller for the offense. He then had one-year OC stints with the Commanders and UCLA. Now, Schultz reports that Bieniemy was a “top candidate” for the Patriots’ OC job had Josh McDaniels not returned. Bieniemy is speaking to NFL teams and could return to the NFL level soon.

Moore interviewed with the Saints for a second time on Monday. He is still game-planning for the Super Bowl, so a potential hire would have to wait, but Rapoport reports Moore is in a strong position with the Saints. The Saints have also interviewed Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver and Giants OC Mike Kafka twice, while former Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy may still be in play. New Orleans is the last head coaching job available and Moore’s work with Dak Prescott when he was offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, along with his success with the Eagles this season, makes him a strong candidate to be a head coach.

Pagano was one of head coach John Harbaugh’s first hires in 2008, spending three seasons as the Ravens’ secondary coach and one as defensive coordinator. He was head coach of the Colts from 2012-2017, then spent two seasons as the Bears’ defensive coordinator before retiring. Harbaugh now brings Pagano out of retirement to reunite with him and gives Pagano the chance to coach Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey and the rest of DC Zach Orr’s improving secondary for 2025.