NFL Player News

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.

The Jaguars become the third team to request an interview with Spagnuolo, joining the Jets and Raiders. The former Rams head coach (2009-2011) also served as the Giants’ interim head coach in 2017 and has a career record of 11-41. Spagnuolo is one of the top defensive minds in the league and has led three Super Bowl defenses during his time with the Chiefs (2019-present). Those who remember Spagnuolo’s first tenure as a head coach will raise their eyebrows at the thought of him getting another chance, but he’s been a popular name in coaching circles for the last few years given his success with the Chiefs.

We’ll see how long the Falcons stick by this stance, but it’s highly unlikely the team will stick with Cousins, who carries a $40 million cap hit, in 2025. This feels more like a bluff by Fontenot and the Falcons, who would benefit most from trading Cousins to a team interested in taking on some of his salary cap. The veteran cornerback carries a pre-June 1 dead cap hit of $65 million and a post-June 1 dead cap hit of $40 million per Over the Cap. Cousins’ time with the Falcons is likely done, regardless of what Fontenot is saying four days after the conclusion of their regular season.

Wilks and former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo are both scheduled to meet with the Colts next week. Wilks served one season as the 49ers defensive coordinator in 2023 but has held countless positions around the league, with his first NFL role coming in 2006 as the Bears defensive backs coach. In his lone season with the 49ers, Wilks’ defense ranked third in points allowed and was eighth in yards allowed.

Brown was hired by the Bears as their passing game coordinator in 2024 and was promoted to offensive coordinator after the team fired Shane Waldron. A few weeks later, Brown was promoted to interim head coach after the firing of Matt Eberflus, where he remained for the final five games of the season. Brown still has a chance to land the Bears’ head coaching job, but the team is allowing him to interview with other teams while they interview other candidates of their own. Brown has held NFL jobs since 2020, and also spent one season as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2023.

Fraley spent 11 years in the league and has served as the Lions’ offensive line coach since 2020. Having played a key role in the Lions’ explosive run game, the Seahawks’ interest in Fraley lies in their hope to improve a running game that they were underwhelmed with under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Nearly all of Fraley’s coaching experience has been as an offensive line coach. He has not worked as an offensive coordinator in any capacity.

Earlier this week, the Bengals fired Anarumo after six seasons with the team. Anarumo’s defense ranked sixth in points allowed in 2022 but regressed in each of the last two seasons before being ousted after a disastrous 2024. Still viewed by many teams as a top defensive coordinator in the league, Anarumo is expected to land with another team for the 2025 season.

McKenzie’s last general manager role came with the Raiders (2012-2018). The long-time NFL vet got his start in the front office with the Packers in 1994 as a personnel assistant and was eventually promoted to Director of football operations before leaving for the Raiders. Under McKenzie’s watch, the Raiders went 40-72, with their lone winning season coming in 2016 when they went 12-4 and lost in the AFC Wild Card round. McKenzie has served in his current role since 2019, and last interviewed for a GM role in 2022 with the Bears.

Kingsbury said last week that “at some point,” he would like to be a head coach again but didn’t elaborate beyond that. The Commanders’ offense has thrived in its first season under Kingsbury, ranking in the top 10 in points per game, yards per game, and EPA per play, thanks in large to the high-end play of rookie Jayden Daniels. In article published by ESPN recently, Kingsbury said, “It would take a lot to leave this kid,” while speaking highly of Daniels’ “confidence, humility, and playmaking ability.” He also added that, “If you feel like you haver to force it, then you’re probably not making the right choice,” regarding his coaching future. The Bears make for an interesting landing spot for Kingsbury given his history with quarterback Caleb Williams, but there aren’t quite as many ties pulling him to the Saints. Kingsbury isn’t a lock to leave Washington after just one season, but the desire to land another head coaching job appears to be strong.

Berry has been with the Seahawks since 2008 and was promoted to Senior Director of Player Personnel in 2023. According to Jones, Berry has spent most of his time in college scouting while with the Seahawks.

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.