Bengals 2026 Mock Draft Roundup 1.0“Bain Jr. is an explosive, violent edge rusher with rare power and bend, capable of turning the corner from wide alignments and overwhelming tackles with speed-to-power. He wins with a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves — from bull rushes to inside counters — and plays with exceptional contact balance and […] Bengals 2026 Mock Draft Roundup 1.0 “Bain Jr. is an explosive, violent edge rusher with rare power and bend, capable of turning the corner from wide alignments and overwhelming tackles with speed-to-power. He wins with a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves — from bull rushes to inside counters — and plays with exceptional contact balance and hand usage to shed blocks both as a rusher and run defender. Relentlessly disruptive and highly explosive off the snap, Bain consistently collapses pockets, sets a firm edge and makes impact plays from whistle to whistle.” AFC North Reflections: Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh And The Bengal Who Faced Them More Than Anyone The Ravens let Harbaugh go after 18 seasons. On Tuesday, Tomlin left the Steelers after 19 seasons. On Wednesday, Lewis reflected on the toughest, tightest and most memorable games he ever had in his 16 seasons coaching in Cincinnati in the NFL’s version of demolition derby. Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor Break Silence on Trey Hendrickson’s Future With the Bengals “I don’t know what the future holds for Trey. Those are discussions that we’re going to have to have ongoing,” Tobin said. “He’s one of a number of free agents that we have that we’ll have to decide how we’re going to go forward with. But pass rush is king, and you always need to be layering in pass rushers. It can develop from within your team, and I think we’ve seen some of that start to develop from within our team. And then I think we need to find some from external sources, as well.” Bengals get an early ‘perfect’ 2026 NFL draft scenario“The Bengals selected one of the best run-defending edge rushers in the first round of last year’s draft in Shemar Stewart and could now target the best pass rusher in this year’s class, Bailey. He led all FBS defenders in PFF overall grade (93.1), PFF pass-rush grade (93.9), pressures (81) and sacks (15).” Former NFL General Manager Drops Unpopular Opinion About Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor “I mean he’s one of the most successful coaches in organization history and we’re talking about an organization that hadn’t had much winning.” Carthon said. “At least Zac has taken these guys to a couple deep runs in the playoffs including a Super Bowl appearance.” See More: Cincinnati Bengals News
Bengals News (1/16): Mock Draft Roundup
Which Detroit Lions’ position coach would it hurt most to lose?
Given the time of the year and the sad fact that the Detroit Lions are not participating in the NFL playoffs for the first time in three seasons, most of the discussion surrounding the team is centered around the coaching staff. Shortly after the season, Lions coach Dan Campbell and former offensive coordinator John Morton […] Given the time of the year and the sad fact that the Detroit Lions are not participating in the NFL playoffs for the first time in three seasons, most of the discussion surrounding the team is centered around the coaching staff. Shortly after the season, Lions coach Dan Campbell and former offensive coordinator John Morton parted ways, clearing the way for who would fill the position for the upcoming 2026 season. And while that is certainly going to be the most pressing question of the early stages of the offseason, it got me thinking about the rest of the coaching staff in Detroit. There are always a ton of moving parts this time of the year, but even more so this season, with eight head coaching vacancies (nine prior to the news that John Harbaugh is taking the New York Giants job). Besides all of the interviews taking place for the offensive coordinator role, there has been other news surrounding various members of the coaching staff, like defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard interviewing for the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job, and tight ends coach Tyler Roel heading back to Iowa State to take their offensive coordinator role. You can track all of this here with Jeremy and Erik’s coaching tracker. Thats brings us to our question of the day – which current Lions’ position coach would hurt the most to lose? My answer: I am going to switch it up a bit and go with running backs coach Tashard Choice. There are certainly others one could argue, like offensive line coach and running game coordinator Hank Fraley, or linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton, but I believe the Lions may have something special in Choice. As a former player in the league, Choice relates well to his players, and has been a fast-riser in the coaching ranks since his first role as graduate assistant at North Texas back in 2017. On top of his well-established relationship with Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Choice has the makings of someone who could end up being an assistant head coach in Detroit in the near-future. What about you? Which current position coach for the Lions would you least like to lose to another role? Let us know in the comments below. See More:
Report: Eagles interviewing Zac Robinson for offensive coordinator job
The Eagles are getting the search for a new offensive coordinator underway, and after revealing a bit of the process in their end-of-season press conference, they will hold their first interview on Friday with Falcons OC Zac Robinson. Robinson is a former NFL quarterback, who was drafted by the Patriots in the 2010 NFL Draft […] The Eagles are getting the search for a new offensive coordinator underway, and after revealing a bit of the process in their end-of-season press conference, they will hold their first interview on Friday with Falcons OC Zac Robinson. Robinson is a former NFL quarterback, who was drafted by the Patriots in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. He bounced around for a few years, spending time with the Seahawks, Lions, and Bengals, before getting a job with Rams staff in 2019 as an assistant QB coach. Robinson was credited with the early development of Jared Goff, and then went on to serve as an assistant WR coach in 2020 when Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods were both just shy of a 1,000-yard season. From 2019 to 2023, he served in different roles, including pass-game coordinator, before leaving for Atlanta in 2024. He spent two years as the Falcons offensive coordinator, and in his first year in the role, his offense ranked sixth in yards per game (369.8), fifth in passing yards per game (239.3) and 10th in rushing yards per game (130.5). Quarterback Kirk Cousins set several franchise records, and Robinson helped transition rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. into the mix. BGN’s Dave Mangel’s offered a brief note about Robinson in his article about potential candidates: “Grabbing a branch off the Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan coaching tree will always appeal to teams, but it’s no sure thing. His predecessor in that role was Zac Robinson, who spent two years as Falcons OC with seemingly no plan B after running the same half dozen plays out of the pistol formation with two different QBs.“ Robinson appears to be the first of what should be many interviews the Eagles will conduct over the coming weeks to fill their OC job. See More:
Source: Eagles showed interest in Charlie Weis Jr. before their season was over
As soon as the final seconds ticked away on the Eagles’ Wild Card round loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, it was obvious the Eagles would be parting ways with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Bleeding Green Nation has learned that the Eagles were inquiring about then-Ole Miss/now-LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. weeks […] As soon as the final seconds ticked away on the Eagles’ Wild Card round loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, it was obvious the Eagles would be parting ways with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Bleeding Green Nation has learned that the Eagles were inquiring about then-Ole Miss/now-LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. weeks before the season was over. And though the Eagles “officially” announced Patullo would no longer be the team’s offensive coordinator in an announcement by Nick Sirianni on Tuesday, multiple SEC sources confirmed the Eagles were serious about Weis, Jr. before the announcement was public, enough to make arrangements for him to fly into Philadelphia to interview at the NovaCare Complex possibly as soon as next week. Weis is 32 years old and is the son of former Notre Dame head coach and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Weis, Jr. is credited for developing Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart when he played for Ole Miss. This season, Weis, Jr. engineered the most proficient passing offense in college football, producing 4,700 yards (most in the nation), while averaging 489.7 yards a game in total offense, which was No. 2 in college football. Weis, Jr. has done wonders with Rebels’ quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, a backup who led Ferris State to the Division II national championship in 2024 and Ole Miss to the national semifinals this season after taking over for starter Austin Simmons, who was injured in Week 2 against Kentucky. Weis, Jr. was an offensive assistant coach with the 2017 Atlanta Falcons, who lost to the eventual Super Bowl LII champion Eagles, 15-10, in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. He also worked at Alabama in 2015 and 2016, where he met Lane Kiffin, who left Ole Miss this season to take the LSU job. Weis, Jr. could fit because he brings some innovation to what has turned into a stale Eagles’ offense, which grew more to reliant on talent to win 50-50 balls than scheming receivers open. Patullo has proven to be a quality NFL coach. He would not have lasted 17 years in the NFL if he was not. He was just not a very good NFL play caller as an offensive coordinator, which may have not been entirely his fault. The NFL is not a place to learn on the job, and that is the position Patullo was placed in the unenviable spot of doing this season. According to numerous sources and multiple reports, Patullo is well liked, and well respected, and can associate well with others if he remains on Sirianni’s staff when they hire a new OC. The revelation here is that no matter what the Eagles did this postseason, management apparently wanted Patullo out before the season ended, and general manager Howie Roseman is about being proactive, not about to wait before fixing what was an obvious problem. The Eagles have strong ties to the SEC. The Eagles also like to poach college football’s shiny new toy (see Chip Kelly), and right now, that is Weis, Jr., who merits NFL consideration and apparently is getting it. The Eagles have inquired to the Ole Miss coaching staff about Weis, Jr., numerous SEC sources have confirmed, and he is as much a viable candidate for the job as is Kevin Stefanski, former Cleveland Browns head coach and two-time Coach of the Year who is from Philadelphia, a graduate of St. Joe’s Prep and Penn, and former Eagles’ intern. Stefanski will most likely get one of the eight available NFL head coaching jobs left. Todd Monken, former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, is another possibility, but he will more than likely join John Harbaugh with the New York Giants and the chance to work with Dart. The Eagles have liked Kliff Kingsbury, the former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator, in the past. He was a candidate for the Eagles’ vacant OC job in 2024, a job eventually given to Kellen Moore, when Shane Steichen left to be the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach. Brian Daboll, former Giants’ head coach, has a history with Jalen Hurts at Alabama and is credited with the development of Buffalo Bills’ star Josh Allen. Daboll also coached Daniel Jones, who was a flop in his system, yet flourished once he got to Indianapolis under Steichen. Daboll also worked with Sirianni, when he was just starting out in Kansas City. Sirianni also worked with Charlie Weis, Sr. in Kansas City in 2010. Daboll also coached Saquon Barkley, when he was with the Giants, and DeVonta Smith, when he was at Alabama. Daboll may be the best fit, if the Eagles are looking for longevity at OC. After the Giants’ debacle, no one else may be willing to look at him as an NFL head coach again. Mike McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach, is considered a prime offensive mind, although he may not have gone to bat for Vic Fangio when he was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2023, after Dolphins’ players complained Fangio was coaching them too hard. Could Fangio and McDaniel co-exist in the same work environment? Roseman will undoubtedly go to Fangio for input how McDaniel ran things in Miami. See More: Philadelphia Eagles News
NY Giants mock draft: Dane Brugler gets WR Jordyn Tyson for Jaxson Dart
The New York Giants got their man and John Harbaugh will be their next head coach. Their immediate concern will be filling out Harbaugh’s coaching staff and laying the groundwork to enact his vision for the Giants. That, of course, will all be done against the backdrop of the process leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. And on that front, the Giants and Harbaugh weren’t the only newsmakers on Wednesday. The 14th was also the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft, and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore announced that he was returning to school. The decision was the expected one around scouting circles, but many public analysts were considering him to be in the draft until told otherwise. Moore has been widely considered one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft, and a Top 2 pick. So his decision to return to school sent a seismic shock through the draft community and upended every single “Mock Draft 1.0” (Yes, releasing a full mock draft before underclassmen have declared is silly from an accuracy standpoint.) The Athletic’s Dane Brugler quickly released his Mock Draft 2.0, saying “Dante Moore back to Oregon means time for new mock draft.” The absence of Moore shook up the top of the draft, including the Giants’ pick at 5th overall. 5. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State The Giants will be drawn, understandably, to Caleb Downs’ potential impact on the back end of the defense, or to the chance to address their offensive line with Francis Mauigoa. But Tyson would add an immediate offensive playmaker who could help a young quarterback take the next step in his development. Obviously, expected new head coach John Harbaugh will influence this selection. Chris’ Thoughts Let’s start by looking at the first four picks and how we got here: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) New York Jets – Arvell Reese (EDGE, Ohio State) Arizona Cardinals – Spencer Fano (OT, Utah) Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State) I can’t say I’d have a big problem with the Giants drafting receiver in the first round. I’ve been advocating using premium resources to build around Jaxson Dart since before the trade deadline, and Jordyn Tyson has the potential to be a “WR1” threat. Even if Malik Nabers is at 100 percent in Week 1, having two threats who demand double teams or dominate one-on-one matchups gives the offense a ton of options. Dart was able to create magic working with practice squad and tertiary options this year, but getting him dependable options will allow him to reach his ceiling as well as keep him from feeling as though he needs to take on inordinate risk to help his team. I’m also not sure Harbaugh would have much of an issue with drafting a receiver in the first round. The Baltimore Ravens drafted receivers in the first round of three of their last seven drafts — selecting defensive backs in three more drafts. That, of course, brings us to Caleb Downs. The Ravens have drafted safeties in two of the last four drafts (Malaki Starks in 2025 and Kyle Hamilton in 2022) so Harbaugh doesn’t seem to have any objections to drafting that position (or at least those players) highly. However, there’s still a difference between 27th overall (or even 14th) overall and fifth overall. The other option may be to draft an edge defender like Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. or Texas Tech’s David Bailey. That option would likely be combined with trading Kayvon Thibodeaux for cap relief and draft capital. Both Bain Jr. and Baily have intriguing skills, but again, this isn’t the time or place to dig into them. Turning back to Tyson, the big question with him is the health and long-term prognosis of his knee. He suffered a bad injury back in 2023, tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL while playing for Colorado. If medical checks reveal red flags, then the Giants’ draft becomes significantly more tenuous. If Tyson’s knee checks out, he might well be in consideration as Harbaugh looks to maximize Dart’s development. See More:
Fantasy Football: Dynasty lessons From wild-card weekend
Dynasty fantasy football never sleeps. Here’s what you should know from the NFL playoffs’ wild-card round. Fantasy Football: Dynasty lessons From wild-card weekend The Steelers’ offense has become an intriguing evaluation: With Mike Tomlin, and potentially quarterback Aaron Rodgers, gone, dynasty managers may want to buy low on Pittsburgh’s top target-earner. Is now the time to flip Christian McCaffrey? 2025’s RB1 may be petering out as a runner as he nears 30 years old. If you flip him now, you can still get great value for him. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated Reading Time: 10minutes In dynasty fantasy football, planning for the next season starts as soon as the previous campaign has ended. Naturally, your player then shines in the playoffs and you’re left asking where that production was in the regular season. But the playoffs are also great indicators for the future, and with that comes roster tinkering. Players and teams from both those eliminated and those advancing will look very different this time next year, and that should influence your roster management. 🏈 Draft Season 2026 Prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft with PFF+ Your complete draft preparation toolkit Subscribe The Steelers‘ Offense is Intriguing First off, the big one. After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin is undoubtedly a giant of the game, a Steelers legend and a very capable coach who will no doubt be back on the touchline soon. However, his Pittsburgh offenses have not had nearly the same bite to them over the past half-decade as they did throughout the early 2010s. Over the past five seasons, the Steelers have ranked the following in points scored: 2020: 12th (416) 2021: 21st (343) 2022: 26th (308) 2023: 28th (304) 2024: 16th (380) 2025: 15th (397) In that span, the Steelers rank 28th in drives ending with a touchdown (19.0%). Only the Texans (who were in a huge transition before C.J. Stroud), Panthers, Giants and Jets rank lower. Very few fantasy managers are putting stock into those offenses, save Houston in the here and now. All that is to say, the Steelers’ offense has not been very good. With Tomlin and possibly quarterback Aaron Rodgers stepping back from the team in the offseason, the team will have enormous voids to fill. The optimistic dynasty manager, especially one in a win-now window who needs a high-end WR3 with WR2 and week-winning upside, would be buying D.K. Metcalf. Metcalf finished as the WR26 in standard PPR formats and didn’t top 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. It was a relatively disappointing return, but there is reason to believe he can bounce back. In 2025, the former Seattle Seahawk registered the lowest average depth of target of his career (11.3 yards). His 99 targets were also his fewest since his 2019 rookie season (97), and his yards per catch average ranked third lowest (14.4). Metcalf did average the most yards after the catch per reception of his career (7.1), but it just didn’t equate to enough big games (just two 100-plus-yard receiving games in 2025). But that’s going to happen when Rodgers is averaging 6.7 yards per attempt — the joint lowest mark of his career — and has a 6.4-yard average depth of target, the lowest mark of his illustrious career. Whoever comes in next for the Steelers is going to have to focus on pushing the ball downfield, and that could pay dividends for Metcalf. Romeo Doubs is in Line For a Production Bump (But Not With The Packers?) This could age like sushi in a glovebox, should Doubs resign with the Packers. It’s not a question of if they’d like him back; it’s more about whether the former fourth-round pick would want to go elsewhere for a potentially bigger payday. Since entering the league in 2022, Doubs has the most targets (310), receiving yards (2,424) and touchdowns (21) of any Green Bay receiver. But in fantasy, he’s been a wildly inconsistent WR4 for many owners. Should Doubs test the market and land with a team in need of pass catchers, his dynasty value could jump. Christian Kirk occupied a similar position when he hit free agency in 2022, and during his first year in Jacksonville, he went off for 1,108 yards and eight scores, finishing as the WR12 that season. Sure, that turned out to be an outlier for Kirk, and if Doubs has a similar statistical season, it could be for him, too. But you only need that one season, and if you doubt he can reproduce it, flip him for a profit. That’s the beauty of dynasty. The other reason Green Bay may not bring Doubs back this offseason is Matthew Golden. General manager Brian Gutekunst invested a first-round pick in the receiver last April, and Golden had his best game as a pro in the Packers’ playoff loss to the Bears. The Packers have always spread the ball around, but if they’re going to squeeze the most out of their first-round receiver, those targets will have to come at the expense of somebody else — and that could be Doubs. Christian McCaffrey May be Done … as a Runner Make no mistake about it: The RB1 in 2025 still has plenty left in the tank. McCaffrey ended the season on a high with 100-plus rushing yards in Weeks 16 and 17, helping him exceed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. However, it can’t be ignored that his 3.9 yards per carry is the second-lowest mark of his career in a season in which he saw 100-plus carries. You also can’t ignore his performance against an admittedly stout Eagles run defense in the playoffs. His 50.4 PFF rushing grade in that game was the lowest among running backs with at least 10 carries during the wild-card round. McCaffrey can still make a man
L.A. Rams News: Are they road warriors?
The Los Angeles Rams are favored on the road (for now) for the second week in a row in the playoffs, and that’s fairly remarkable. According to the information I’ll share below, it would be historic if the Rams can win their second away game in the playoffs while being favored. Rams trying to end […] The Los Angeles Rams are favored on the road (for now) for the second week in a row in the playoffs, and that’s fairly remarkable. According to the information I’ll share below, it would be historic if the Rams can win their second away game in the playoffs while being favored by four or more points. Rams trying to end improbable 50-year NFL playoff drought against Bears: L.A. favored by historical number (cbssports) “The Rams opened as a 4.5-point favorite over the Bears, which is notable because if the point spread holds, it would mark the first time in NFL history that a road playoff team has been favored by four points or more in two different games during the same postseason. During the wild card round, the Rams were favored by 10.5 points against the Panthers, making them the largest ROAD favorite in the Super Bowl era.“ Of course, legal betting is still fairly new, so what does this stat actually mean? I don’t know, but seemed like a good Random Ramsdom topic on a Friday! Thank you all for checking out Turf Show Times, have a safe Friday and enjoy your weekend! Jared Verse and Rams know there’s a surefire way to stop Caleb Williams (latimes.com) “Jumping or lunging at Williams is futile, Verse said, because “he’s very able to get away from anything you bring to him.” So it is imperative to wrap up the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. “It’s impossible to say like he won’t get away from one of us,” Verse said, “but we all have to keep pursuing him and be able to make that tackle on him.” The weather and conditions could cause both teams to rely on their rushing attacks.“ Steelers Schedule Interview with Rams DC Chris Shula (steelersnow) “The Pittsburgh Steelers have scheduled their interview with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, according to a report by Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News. Shula and the Steelers will have a virtual interview on Friday, the same day the Steelers are also interviewing fellow Rams coach, offensive passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase.“ See More: Los Angeles Rams News
2026 NFL free agent linebackers for the Bengals to target
In 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals needed a linebacker, and three names were commonly discussed among Bengals fans: Joe Schobert, Blake Martinez, and Cory Littleton. At age 27, Schobert signed a $53.75 million deal with the Jaguars. At 28, they traded him to the Steelers. At 29, Pittsburgh made him a salary cap casualty. He played […] In 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals needed a linebacker, and three names were commonly discussed among Bengals fans: Joe Schobert, Blake Martinez, and Cory Littleton. At age 27, Schobert signed a $53.75 million deal with the Jaguars. At 28, they traded him to the Steelers. At 29, Pittsburgh made him a salary cap casualty. He played six more games after that and retired A 26-year-old Blake Martinez signed a $30 million contract with the New York Giants. He had 151 tackles that season, but only played 8 more games over the next three years. At 27, an ACL injury ended his season, and indeed his time as a Giant. He had brief stints with the Raiders and the Steelers, and was out of the league by age 30. Littleton signed a $35 million deal with the Raiders at 27. His production took an instant hit. After having 259 tackles and 7.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, he had 180 tackles and 0.5 sacks over the next two seasons. At 29, he moved on to the Panthers, where he started 7 games. Then at 30, he spent time with two different teams, playing in 10 games and not starting a single one. The Bengals went with Josh Bynes (31) for $1.6 and drafted Logan Wilson with a plan for him to take over in a year. Devin Bush and Devin Lloyd are both very good players coming off of very excellent seasons, but at they are also both 27 and looking for massive paydays. It might be good for a year, but if the past is any indicator, they could be in for a rapid decline. With that in mind, here are my top linebackers for the Bengals to consider. A couple of them are younger, and a couple are older, but are unlikely to find a large long-term contract. 1. Leo Chenal The 25-year-old Chenal is an excellent athlete who had a good year for the Chiefs before a shoulder injury ended it in Week 15. He had 58 tackles in only 440 snaps this season. Chenal ran a 4.53 40 at the NFL Combine and has been a consistent contributor for the Chiefs’ defense throughout his career, making 44 starts in four seasons. Chenel is coming off an injury, but looks to be an affordable option with a lot of upside. 2. Nakobe Dean Oren Burks got an opportunity in Philadelphia because the 25-year-old Nakobe Dean was injured, but could Dean be the right fit in Cincinnati? Dean tore his patellar tendon during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run a year ago, causing him to miss the beginning of this season. His play has definitely dropped off since then, which could be permanent, or it could just mean he is still recovering. Dean might be looking for a 1 year “prove it” deal to show that he is still the same guy he was in 2024, and he could be a steal if he is. This would be a low-risk, low-reward signing for the Bengals. 3. Bobby Wagner Now let’s look at the opposite end of the spectrum. Obviously, not all linebackers decline and fade away before their 30th birthday. Some stick around for quite some time. Bobby Wagner was a part of the Legion of Boom, but at 35, he is still out here killing it. Wagner posted 107 tackles and 5 snaps for Washington last season. This is an All-Pro who has been one of the stars on a Super Bowl Champion defense and has been the league’s most productive tackler in multiple seasons. Wagner’s experience could be invaluable to this young linebacker group, as could his leadership for the entire defense. 4. Demario Davis Demario Davis posted 99 tackles for the Saints a year ago, but at age 36, is he going to want to wait for that team to develop, or would he rather come play with one of the best quarterbacks in the league? After all, Davis has not won a Super Bowl, and his time may be running out. Davis played for Bengals linebackers coach Mike Hodges previously, so there is already a relationship there. This in could be just the thing to lure Davis up north. It also makes him a perfect leader for that young room. If there is one guy who knows what Hodges expects, it is Davis. 5. Justin Strnad Justin Strnad may be as close to Josh Bynes as we get. Strnad is 29 and started about eight games for Denver in each of the past two seasons and has been very solid. He could be just the guy to supplement Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight. Providing veteran leadership, he could lock down the LB3 role, while being a suitable replacement if either Carter or Barrett gets hurt or stops progressing. See More: Cincinnati Bengals free agency
How do Las Vegas Raiders stack up in head coach openings around NFL?
It feels like this article has become an annual tradition since the Las Vegas Raiders continue to churn through head coaches, firing Pete Carroll at the end of the season. But here we are, with the Raiders on the head coach search again. So, let’s rank how Las Vegas stacks up against the other eight […] It feels like this article has become an annual tradition since the Las Vegas Raiders continue to churn through head coaches, firing Pete Carroll at the end of the season. But here we are, with the Raiders on the head coach search again. So, let’s rank how Las Vegas stacks up against the other eight openings around the NFL, factoring in the quarterback situation, 2026 NFL draft picks, salary cap space and roster. Draft picks are via Tankathon and salary cap information is via Over The Cap. 1. Baltimore Ravens QB: Lamar Jackson Top 100 Draft Picks: 14, 45, 80 Salary Cap: $21.2 million (18th in NFL) There shouldn’t be any debate when it comes to the top opening this offseason. The Ravens have a playoff-caliber roster, a two-time MVP at quarterback and are a stable organization. It just seems like John Harbaugh’s message grew stale in the locker room, on top of his refusal to fire offensive coordinator Todd Monken, are the only reasons why Harbaugh got the boot. Baltimore should have its pick of the litter when it comes to head coach candidates. 2. Atlanta Falcons QB: Michael Penix Jr. Top 100 Draft Picks: 48, 79 Salary Cap: $22.5 million (17th) To be fair, the Falcons’ attractiveness will depend on how candidates view Penix. Even before suffering another season-ending injury, the second-year pro was having a tough season. However, he showed promise at the end of the 2024 campaign and was a top 10 draft pick. Also, Atlanta has a pretty good roster, headlined by Bijan Robinson on offense and several promising young players on defense, and plays in a weak division to make the path to the playoffs easier. 3. Las Vegas Raiders QB: No. 1 pick Top 100 Draft Picks: 1, 36, 67 Salary Cap: $89.0 million (3rd) The Raiders will have to give candidates plenty of assurance that they’ll be patient via a long and lucrative contract offer, seeing as their last three head coaches (Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce and Carroll) didn’t even get two full seasons on the job. Also, the organization is facing a multi-year rebuild. But the latter could be attractive considering the next coach will have a chance to mold the roster in his vision, especially if someone likes what they’ve seen from Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Plus, in addition to the assets above, Las Vegas has three fourth-round picks to help guide the turnaround. 4. Pittsburgh Steelers QB: Good question Top 100 Draft Picks: 21, 53, 76 (from DAL), 85, 99 (comp.) Salary Cap: $39.0 million (10th) If the Steelers had a clear path to get a quarterback, they’d be ahead of the Raiders without a question. It’s a stable organization that literally does not fire head coaches. Also, they have a lot of draft capital with 12 picks and a good amount of cash to use in free agency. But people in Pittsburgh know all of that won’t matter if the organization can’t figure out the most important position on the field. Additionally, this is an aging roster that might need to be torn down. 5. Tennessee Titans NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 28: Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Saints defeated the Titans 34-26. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)Getty Images QB: Cam Ward Top 100 Draft Picks: 4, 35, 66 Salary Cap: $96.7 million (2nd) Ward had his fair share of rookie struggles, but he also had several moments that showed why he was the No. 1 overall pick last year. Any coach who liked the Miami product coming out of college should be interested in this job. Plus, general manager Mike Borgonzi has an impressive resume with three Super Bowls while working in the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office, and Borgonzi has plenty of money to spend to improve the roster. 6. New York Giants QB: Jaxson Dart Top 100 Draft Picks: 5, 37 Salary Cap: $5.2 million (20th) If the conversation was just Dart versus Ward, I can see the argument for the Giants to be ahead of the Titans since the former was better this season. But can or should any coach trust Joe Schoen to build out the rest of the roster? I could see this being a situation similar to what the Jacksonville Jaguars faced last year, or where the coach the Giants hire wants a new general manager next year, a la Jon Gruden and Reggie McKenzie. [Editor’s note: The Giants hired John Harbaugh as their next head coach on Wednesday night.] 7. Arizona Cardinals QB: No. 3 pick Top 100 Draft Picks: 3, 34, 65 Salary Cap: $27.1 million (15th) With a stronger quarterback class, the Cardinals would rank significantly higher. However, with Mendoza likely heading to Las Vegas, Dante Moore going back to Oregon and Ty Simpson falling off in the second half of the season, the outlook is bleak for Arizona. The team does have a good roster with a lot of young talent, but that isn’t going to matter much without an answer behind center, especially in the tough NFC West. Also, the Cardinals are going to have to eat into their cap space to move on from Kyler Murry, whose contract carries about $47.5 million of dead cap with a post-June 1 cut. 8. Cleveland Browns QB: Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson Top 100 Draft Picks: 6, 24 (via JAX), 39, 70 Salary Cap: -$15.3 million (27th) Cleveland does have a pair of first-round picks and a good rookie class, led by DROY favorite Carson Schwesinger. However,
Will Vikings Trade for Anthony Richardson? A 2026 QB Competition Option
Vikings QB shakeup: Will Anthony Richardson replace J.J. McCarthy? Dive into the drama on The Real Forno Show as Tyler Forness predicts a bold trade. In this episode, hosts Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano analyze the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback competition for 2026, sparked by Kevin O’Connell’s call for competition and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s non-committal stance on […] Vikings QB shakeup: Will Anthony Richardson replace J.J. McCarthy? Dive into the drama on The Real Forno Show as Tyler Forness predicts a bold trade. In this episode, hosts Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano analyze the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback competition for 2026, sparked by Kevin O’Connell’s call for competition and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s non-committal stance on McCarthy. With a possible Vikings QB trade, looking at the potential Anthony Richardson Vikings acquisition, evaluating a Malik Willis free agent signing, and the lack of 2026 NFL Draft prospects, this podcast episode hooks fans with insider predictions and realistic options amid a barren QB market. In a candid discussion on The Real Forno Show, Tyler Forness declares, “I think the Vikings are going to end up trading for Richardson,” citing the low cost of a compensatory third-round pick and Richardson’s MVP-level upside despite his inaccuracies and injury history. Co-host Dave Stefano chimes in on the market shortage, noting, “There’s a shortage on the market, so whoever goes is gonna be expensive.” The episode covers free agents like Malik Willis, who might demand a three-year $90 million+ deal, and dismisses “pipe dreams” like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson trades with low odds (~10-20% for Burrow, ~5-10% for Jackson). Forness emphasizes McCarthy’s inconsistencies, saying, “J.J. McCarthy’s not a franchise quarterback right now,” while exploring trades for Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith. Key points include: QB Competition Realities: O’Connell wants genuine competition; McCarthy’s injuries (missing 25 of 35 games) and mechanics need fixing in the offseason. Free Agent Options: Limited market; Willis could cost ~$90M over three years; Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones (injury) dismissed as poor fits. Trade Candidates: Richardson as top prediction for his tools and O’Connell’s past interest; Mac Jones might require a second-round pick; low odds for Burrow (discontent in Cincinnati) or Jackson (high cap hit). Draft Outlook: Barren 2026 class with Fernando Mendoza likely first overall; Vikings at No. 18 prioritize other needs unless value drops. Other Topics: Jordan Addison’s arrest discussed as a misdemeanor but compounding issues; potential Hockenson cut critiqued as bad business. Listen: Watch: Don’t miss The Real Forno Show for unfiltered Minnesota Vikings analysis, bold takes, and offseason breakdowns—it’s your go-to Vikings podcast on Vikings 1st & SKOL, partnered with Fans First Sports Network. Subscribe for episodes on draft prospects, free agency moves, and more to stay ahead of the purple faithful. Fan With Us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN. What do you think: Should the Vikings trade for Anthony Richardson or stick with developing JJ McCarthy? Share your thoughts in the comments! See More:
