NFL Player News

O’Connell’s tumultuous year comes to an end on a high note with 713 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception in his final three starts, two of which were wins. Gardner Minshew initially won the starting job and the Raiders were reluctant to bench him despite his poor play. They eventually pulled the trigger in Week 6, marking AOC’s first start. He lasted less than two games before suffering a broken bone in his right thumb, sidelining him for four weeks. O’Connell returned to the starting role once again, only to suffer another injury, this time a bone bruise in his knee. He returned once again for a few starts late in the year. O’Connell was roughly as good as Minshew and definitively better than Desmond Ridder, solidifying his status as a viable backup. The Raiders are all but certain to draft a quarterback, but O’Connell has done enough through two seasons to stick with the team as a reserve or possibly a bridge option in 2025.

The Bears continue to knock out interviews for their head coaching vacancy and have more candidates on tap in the coming days. In two years with the Cardinals, Petzing elevated his offense to a top-12 unit by the end of 2024. The Cardinals also ranked 13th in EPA per dropback and sixth in dropback success rate, which could bode well for Caleb Williams heading into his second season if Petzing and the Bears unite.

Dimitroff was general manager for the Falcons from 2008 to 2020, drafting Matt Ryan and making the playoffs six times with an appearance in Super Bowl LI. He has remained in football analytics since then and has taken interviews with the Jets and now the Titans to return to the NFL. The Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon, but kept head coach Brian Callahan heading into the offseason. If Dimitroff does fill the Titans’ open general manager position, he will work with Callahan for a pivotal draft decision as the Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft.

Saleh has received some more interest from teams looking for a head coach. The Jaguars asked for an interview, and now the Raiders are also showing interest in Saleh for the gig. Through the three-and-a-half seasons he coached the Jets, they did not finish with a winning record. Saleh was let go by the Jets mid-2024, in a collapse that was not entirely on him. Though the 49ers now want him back as their defensive coordinator, he could receive another shot at head coach. The Raiders are growing their interview list after firing Antonio Pierce. Saleh joins a group that includes playoff coaches Todd Monken, Steve Spanuolo, Aaron Glenn, and Ben Johnson.

The Raiders have an opening after firing Antonio Pierce, the team’s second head coach in two seasons. Monken has already had interview requests from the Jaguars and Bears after helping the Ravens to one of the best offenses in the league. The Raiders are still figuring out their quarterback situation with Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and company, but Monken would add depth to the team’s stagnant offense. Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn have also been requested to interview, as well as Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo as the Raiders look to poach from the top teams in the league. Monken has a playoff run ahead of him with a potent Ravens offense and the Raiders hope to explore his high-scoring playbook for their head coaching job.

Flores adds the Jaguars to his list with the Bears and Jets already requesting interviews. He revamped the Vikings defense over the last two seasons and established it as a formidable unit for the playoffs. Previously serving as the Dolphins’ head coach from 2019-2021, Flores could look to return to Florida to coach Trevor Lawrence and company. The Jaguars had a disappointing 4-13 season in 2024 and have lined up several head coaching interviews to replace Doug Pederson after an underwhelming tenure. The 43-year-old Flores is slated to be a hot topic this coaching cycle.

Bethel made a living in the NFL off of his special teams abilities through 12 seasons. He only started 15 career games at defensive back, but was a three-time Pro Bowler for special teams on the Cardinals. Bethel spent the first six seasons of his career with Arizona and bounced around between the Falcons, Ravens, Patriots, and Dolphins for his final six seasons. He did not have a team for the 2024 season, making the Dolphins his last team after 17 games with them in 2023. Finishing his NFL career with 282 combined tackles, Bethel’s NFL legacy remains one of special teams utility.

Both Packers quarterbacks are evidently nursing throwing-arm injuries. Jordan Love (elbow) and Willis should be considered likely to play, given their early-week practice participation but this is officially a situation to monitor closely.

The Chargers’ wide receiver corps is fairly banged up at this point and Palmer’s total inability to practice thus far this week makes him the least likely to suit up on Saturday. It could come down to a game-time decision but his Thursday availability should give us an idea of his status.

Johnston was only listed with the thigh ailment while participating in a limited capacity on Tuesday so the illness is a new, worrying development. While Johnston is likely to play through both issues, his Thursday practice participation should give us a better idea of his overall health. Practicing in full would be a great sign.

Fehoko has a chance to return from injured reserve this week. No. 2 WR Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) and Joshua Palmer (heel) were both sidelined on Wednesday so Fehoko’s improvement comes at the right time. He could suit up as the Chargers’ No. 3 WR this week.