NFL Player News

The highlight of the game for Akers was a 58-yard scamper at the beginning of the third quarter in a then 10-3 game. Akers started the second half with Aaron Jones remaining in the locker room for an undisclosed reason, failing to score on his next carry after the long run before giving way to Jones on the following play. Jones’ status could be something to monitor as the Vikings prepare for a road date with the Rams in the Wildcard Round.

Covington, who turns 36 in March, was one of the league’s youngest defensive coordinators last year for the Patriots. He has permission to interview for the job despite still being under contract in New England. The unit struggled, but dealt with major multiple injuries and Covington oversaw Christian Gonzalez’s development into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. It is possible that he has more upside to offer when separated from Jerod Mayo, and the Bengals seem interested in exploring the idea of making him their main defensive mind after firing Lou Anarumo.

The downside is that Hill “didn’t walk back his comments.” This looks like a situation that hasn’t been resolved completely yet and is being slow-pedaled by a Dolphins regime that knows it wants to keep Hill happy. There’s also the tricky bit of language of not asking *the GM* for a trade, opening up the door that perhaps it was asked elsewhere. “Mike and I had conversations with Tyreek, productive conversations. I will keep those between us. In a frustrating season, he was very emotional in a game where we had a chance coming back from 2-6,” Grier added. This is still something to monitor going forward.

Graham is also interviewing for the Bengals defensive coordinator role that was left vacant by firing Lou Anarumo. The fact that Graham is getting interviews and even considering a horizontal move says a lot about the current job status situation in Las Vegas. Graham interviewed with the Chargers and Seahawks for their head coaching vacancies last year and has been a fixture on the coaching carousel in the 2020s.

The former Colts and Texans offensive coordinator and DC Defenders head coach has not coached professionally since being fired at the end of the 2022 season, doing TV for local Houston stations while his child matriculates through high school. Hamilton would seem to be a strange fit as Patriots head coach at this point, but the Patriots appear to be blitzing through a deep roster of interviews today so we expect some more candidates that are not exactly known quantities to pop up as well.

Leftwich, who nearly landed the Jaguars head coaching job three years ago, will be among the many candidates the Patriots talk to about their head coaching job after parting ways with Jerod Mayo. Leftwich’s NFL coaching experience includes one year as Arizona’s OC and four years as Tampa’s coordinator, calling plays for the Tom Brady-era Bucs and winning a Super Bowl during the 2020 COVID season. In New England, Leftwich would work with Drake Maye after an up-and-down rookie season.

Monken will be a popular name on the head coaching vacancy circuit after he led the Ravens to a league-high in yards and the third most points, along with the second best offensive success rate. The Jaguars could very well lean toward an offensive-minded head coach who could help revive Trevor Lawrence’s career following his disastrous 2024 season, which was marred by injury. The Jags are also requesting head coaching interviews with Robert Saleh and Kellen Moore, among others.

Brady, who has received interest from the Saints for their head coaching job, might have his pick of head coaching opportunities after leading the Bills to a hyper productive 2024 season in which they had the league’s second highest EPA per play. Brady would be tasked with figuring out how to help Caleb Williams become a viable NFL starter after his disappointing rookie season (only Will Levis and Anthony Richardson had a lower drop back EPA than Williams). Brady’s work with Josh Allen could go a long way in convincing the Bears he’s the guy for them.

Moore is going to be a popular name in head coaching searches over the next few weeks. The Saints have also requested a head coaching interview with Moore after he guided the Eagles offense to the sixth highest EPA per play and the 13th best offensive success rate, fueled by a nearly historic campaign from Saquon Barkley. In Jacksonville, Moore would be tasked with reviving Trevor Lawrence’s career after a horrendous 2024 season and developing Brian Thomas into an elite NFL wideout following his tremendous rookie campaign.

Saleh, fired by the Jets back in October after he went 20-43 over three and a half seasons, is among eight coaches Jacksonville wants to interview for its head coaching vacancy. Saleh would be an upset pick over names like Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and Todd Monken, though the Jaguars could be seeking a players coach and a defensive specialist who could improve a Jags defense that was one of the league’s worst in 2024. Saleh, 45, should see another head coaching opportunity after he was railroaded by Jets ownership this year.

The Jets are set to interview a plethora of candidates for their open GM job. That includes Gaine, who has worked in the Buffalo front office since 2019, first as a senior personnel advisor and then as an assistant GM under Brandon Beane. In New York, Gaine would take over a roster in flux and a likely teardown job under whoever the team hires as its next head coach.