Brian

Griese

Griese got a request to interview for the Jets head coaching vacancy earlier this year, and had an interview with the Saints for their offensive coordinator position in 2024. He likely has enough connections to find a new NFL coaching gig if he wants it, but the Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports Griese is stepping away from coaching. We’ll see if the 49-year-old former quarterback returns to coach again, but he is prioritizing life outside of football for now.

An 11-year veteran of the league, Griese retired in 2008 and didn’t dip his toes into the coaching pool until 2022, when he joined the Niners as their quarterbacks coach. His work with 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, who is on his way to earning a massive contract extension, has undoubtedly caught the eyes of front offices, the Jets not withstanding. Interestingly, it was reported last month that Jets owner Woody Johnson intentionally asked for a worse draft pick during trade negotiations with the Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft in the hopes of landing the next Mr. Irrelevant. The Jets ended up using that pick on a cornerback who was cut at the end of training camp. There’s likely more than Griese’s connection to a successful Mr. Irrelevant drawing the Jets’ interest here, but Griese’s name hasn’t generated much interest as a head coaching target in recent years.

Griese joined the 49ers before the 2022 season and has contributed to the ascension of Brock Purdy. The Saints are looking to fill their OC position after firing Pete Carmichael. Griese still has fish to fry as the 49ers will face the Lions in the upcoming NFC Championship game, but he’ll be looking for a promotion soon enough.

Griese, an ESPN analyst, has never coached at any level. The 46-year-old former quarterback had the best seasons of his career under Mike Shanahan in Denver and overlapped with Kyle with the Bucs in 2004. Hiring Griese comes with second-year QB Trey Lance expected to take over for Jimmy Garoppolo as the team’s 2022 starter. Griese replaces Rich Scangarello, who left the 49ers to be the offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky this offseason.

Coach Jon Gruden said the announcement would come Sunday, but Simms worked with the third team in practice. This hardly seems fair.

Chris Simms looks like he’ll be out a while. Griese isn’t a ridiculous last minute fantasy QB option versus a lame Rams secondary. But his long-term potential isn’t great.

Chris Simms is still recovering from his shoulder injury, and Griese has earned more playing time. Griese has completed 73% of his passes in two games this season.

Chris Simms will not get off the bench anytime soon. We’d guess the Bucs will be happy to go with Griese and Simms as their QB duo next season. They may try to free up money to go after Edgerrin James.

The Falcons offer a tough matchup but Griese should be okay to use.

Tampa owes a meaningless $6 million roster bonus in March under the terms of their current deal. Griese has the leverage right now, and is holding out for more cash. He should get it and enter training camp as the favorite to start next season.