John Harbaugh has been hired as head coach of the New York Giants. After an aggressive pursuit, the Giants have landed the most hotly sought-after coach in this hiring cycle. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported this morning that the Giants and Harbaugh are finalizing a five-year deal and that “Harbaugh has accepted the job.” Harbaugh, 180-113 (.614 winning percentage) with a Super Bowl title and 12 playoff appearances in 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, was the Giants’ top target to replace Brian Daboll from the moment the Ravens fired him the day after the regular season ended. The Giants’ ultra-aggressive chase of Harbaugh included a barrage of phone calls from GM Joe Schoen, co-owner John Mara, Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and even Daboll, as well as a trip to Harbaugh’s home for a lunch meeting by Chris Mara. The Giants are 13-38 (.255 winning percentage) the past three seasons, second-worst record in the NFL behind the Tennessee Titans (12-39 (.235) during that stretch. Since they won the 2011 Super Bowl, the Giants have the fourth-worst record in the NFL (83-145-1, .369). Since 2017, the Giants’ 44-104-1 (.299) are a half-game behind the New York Jets (44-105, .295) for the worst record in the league. During the last two seasons, the Giants are a combined 7-27. New York fired Daboll midseason when the team was 2-8. The Giants went 2-5 with Mike Kafka as interim head coach. The Giants have lost relevance in the league and in the fan base since letting Coughlin, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach go after the 2015 season. They have had four full-time head coaches (Ben McAdoo, Pat Shurmur, Joe Judge, Daboll) and two interim ones (Steve Spagnuolo, Kafka) since that time. McAdoo and Daboll each got the Giants to the playoffs once, but those are the only winning seasons for the Giants in the last 10 years. The 2025 season, during which the Ravens went 8-9, was only Harbaugh’s third losing season in his 18 years with Baltimore. Before hiring Harbaugh, Giants held in-person interviews with Kafka, former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, former Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris, former Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, Denver Broncos special teams coach Darren Rizzi, and former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. They virtually interviewed Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. See More:
John Harbaugh hired as NY Giants head coach; new era begins for Big Blue
Giants news, 1/15: John Harbaugh visits Giants, Jaxson Dart on Malik Nabers
Good morning, New York Giants fans! From Big Blue View Other Giant observations Coaching Carousel: Giants Willing to Offer John Harbaugh ‘Almost Anything He Wants’ | FOX Sports The Giants have been working on that deal since before Harbaugh was fired, according to multiple team and league sources. They seemed sure that the 62-year-old Harbaugh would be available even before his Ravens lost their season finale to the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed the playoffs, which led to the Ravens firing him the next day. Once he was available, he rocketed to the top of their list. The Giants have also let Harbaugh know that they are willing to meet his asking price (expected to be around $20 million per year), shell out millions more for what they hope will be a top coaching staff, and make whatever improvements or additions he wants throughout their program. The source said that Harbaugh’s requests so far have been “significant,” but “don’t seem to be too extensive. But he’s worth it. You don’t get a shot at a coach like this too often. Sometimes you just have to do whatever it takes.” Jaxson Dart: Malik Nabers is the best receiver in the NFL Why is John Harbaugh atop Giants’ coaching wish list? Insights into cycle’s top candidate | The Athletic Building a quality staff is particularly important for a head coach who doesn’t call plays. Who are some logical coordinator candidates? Zrebiec: Monken has other options, but he and Harbaugh have a solid relationship, so I’d think that could be in play. That would be a nice get for the Giants and the New York media. Monken is a character. Tee Martin, who has been Jackson’s quarterbacks coach and has interviewed for a few offensive coordinator openings this offseason, could get consideration. Defensively, there are a bunch of guys with ties to Harbaugh who are available: Zach Orr, Wink Martindale, Chuck Pagano and Anthony Weaver, to name a few. Heck, maybe Harbaugh even gives Rex Ryan a call. One of Harbaugh’s closest friends in coaching is Jerry Rosburg. I’m not sure if Rosburg is looking to get back in, but if he were, he’d be an ideal fit in the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator role. “I don’t believe, based on what I’ve been told, that there’s a prerequisite for John Harbaugh to say, ‘I have to pick my GM.’ This is not that situation,” “With all that in mind, I’m not willing to say that the Giants is definitively where he’s going to go, but that’s what the Giants want. And I think Harbaugh is very open and excited about the idea of coming to New York.” New York Giants: Finally, some hope. However, for the first time in a long time, there’s hope in New York. A glimmer of hope. The Giants traded up to draft QB Jaxson Dart (68.4 grade; 30th) with the No. 25 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the former Ole Miss quarterback showed some promise in his rookie season, completing 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 487 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Dart plays a little fast and loose, and that reckless style of play has already seen him be evaluated for multiple concussions in 2025, but there’s a lot to like about the young gunslinger. Dart will get the chance to lead the franchise forward in 2026, and even the notion that a young, exciting quarterback could lead the Giants forward is a positive. Even in Daniel Jones’s rookie season, there wasn’t this much excitement over what he could be, but Dart possesses the traits and the grit to succeed in the NFL. Dart will hopefully be joined by WR Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL in Week 4, and HB Cam Skattebo (80.5 grade; 13th), who suffered a season-ending ankle injury, in 2026 to form a young offensive core. Giants 2025 defensive sizzle reel The anxiety of being a Giants free agent waiting out this coaching search | New York Post Yeah, the waiting game is tough on players, too. The entire Giants front office is at DEFCON 1 as the search for a new head coach keeps moving forward. “They got a lot to do in the building here … and I’m sure whoever they bring in will have an input as well — who they want to keep and what direction they’re going to go.” 3. New York Giants. The Giants’ rookie class was about quality rather than quantity. First-round quarterback Jaxson Dart led all rookies in total points and ranked 18th with a 57.8 QBR, thanks partly to the value of his run plays. No. 3 pick Abdul Carter had only four sacks, but his 56 pressures led all rookie edge rushers. Third-round defensive tackle Darius Alexander had 3.5 sacks as a rotational lineman. And fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo energized the team in five starts, with 410 rushing yards, 207 receiving yards and seven touchdowns before an ankle injury ended his season. Seventh-round cornerback Korie Black and fifth-round offensive tackle Marcus Mbow also started games but didn’t perform particularly well. Around the league Eagles will reportedly consider Kliff Kingsbury, Kevin Stefanski for offensive coordinator job | Bleeding Green Nation DaRon Bland has surgery on his foot for the second time | Blogging the Boys Josh Allen returns to full participation at practice | Pro Football Talk Jaguars forecast two-way role for Travis Hunter in 2026 with knee injury recovery ‘going as expected’ | CBSSports.com Longtime Vikings WR Adam Thielen announces retirement after 13 seasons | The Athletic BBV mailbag Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to [email protected] and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag. BBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed | Threads: @ed.valentine Bluesky: @edvalentine BBV on Facebook: Click here to like the Big Blue View Facebook page BBV on YouTube: Subscribe to the Big Blue View YouTube channel BBV on Instagram: Click here to
Fantasy Football: Evaluating 2025 IDP linebacker tackles vs. expected
Expected tackles is an important part of evaluating linebacker play for IDP, as identifying those who delivered as expected, or fell short, can help us better determine draft targets next season. Jordyn Brooks leads the way: Miami’s LB1 returned to his 2021 level of production, putting together an outstanding season as the league’s leading tackler. Jack Campbell remains in the upper echelon of tacklers: Campbell set a career high in tackles this year and has finished in the top 90th percentile of linebacker tacklers for every year of his NFL career. 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 🏈 Draft Season 2026 Prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft with PFF+ Your complete draft preparation toolkit Subscribe It’s easy at the end of each NFL season to look at where players ranked in fantasy football, but understanding why they finished where they did is often more important when projecting for the future. For the linebacker position, tackles are a huge part of IDP success. Knowing which linebackers created more tackles for themselves while identifying those who delivered as expected, or fell short, can help us better determine draft targets next season. All linebacker-expected tackle figures are derived from combing through each player’s profile and situation. After we dive into their alignments, run and pass splits, coverage types and snaps played, we then compare their efficiency to the larger pool of their peers. Starting at the top, these are the linebackers who performed above expectations in 2025 when it came to tackling, with a combination of familiar names and a lot of new names appearing on this list after the position went through many changes this year. Top Performers Players of note: Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings: Cashman has been consistently efficient over the past three seasons, although he took his tackle production to another level this season, despite playing just 13 games. His per-game production as a tackler was on par with that of Jordyn Brooks. Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans: Gray played just under 50 defensive snaps as a rookie, but he was incredibly efficient on that limited workload. It was still too small a sample to get excited about. However, this year, he delivered efficiently on a much larger sample size as a full-time starter. Gray’s efficiency was among the best in the league. He dominated the Titans‘ tackle share, as teammate Cody Barton came in dead last in the metric. Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers: IDP managers will likely have bittersweet feelings about Wilson once again after he finished among the top linebackers in tackles versus expected, ranking in the 95th percentile for the second straight year. The frustration stems from Wilson’s efficiency in a limited role, as he could arguably be one of IDP’s best linebackers in a full-time role. Patrick Queen, the Steelers’ lone full-time linebacker, consistently comes in near the bottom of the league in this metric. Devin White, Las Vegas Raiders: White has often finished no better than the 30th percentile in tackles versus expected, as he’s historically left a lot of meat on the bone in that department. But a fresh start on a new defense in 2025 led to a complete turnaround. White is a pending free agent now, and after the Raiders fired their head coach this year, he could be on a new team in 2026, where the potential for regression is higher. Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns: Potential Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger endured a slower start in terms of his tackle production but ramped up into a standout. Schwesinger had just two games with double-digit tackles through his first eight games before rattling off seven consecutive games with at least 10 tackles and delivering on the promise of being a high-end IDP coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs: Bolton returned to form in 2025 after a relatively unproductive 2024 season and an injury-plagued 2023 campaign. His 93rd-percentile mark this season was much more in line with his 2021 and 2022 seasons. His return to elite tackling form is a great sign for his IDP potential, and it helped him deliver an LB1 season once again. Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars: Oluokun bounced back, as expected, thanks to a change at defensive coordinator and a return to normalcy in terms of his role. Oluokun finished in the top 95th percentile in tackles versus expected from 2021-2023, before falling out in 2024, so it was great to see him return to form in 2025. Perhaps he’ll deliver on that for one more season. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens: Smith is the only linebacker to place in the top 90th percentile in tackles versus expected every year since 2021, when this data was first collected. Smith is arguably the most solid and consistent IDP option at any position in recent years, which is why he’s regularly drafted as a top IDP every year and will be again in 2026. Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears: Edmunds engineered arguably the best turnaround from 2024, when he finished dead last in tackles versus expected. He has typically been below average in that regard since 2021, but he had a much better season in 2025. Edmunds could regress to his norm in 2026, but it’s at least promising to see him break out of that inefficient territory, even if just for a season. Average Producers Players of note: Nate Landman, Los Angeles Rams: Landman is one of the better examples of IDP production not necessarily lining up with this metric. Landman was a top-10 IDP linebacker in 2025, although much of his production came from non-tackles, and that is highlighted here with his average rank. Landman may regress and make fewer big plays in 2026, so he’ll need his tackle production to more closely resemble what it was in 2024 (92nd percentile). Barrett Carter, Cincinnati Bengals: Carter ended up being one of the
Las Vegas Raiders will be challenged at Allegiant Stadium in 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a difficult time establishing a winning atmosphere since they moved into Allegiant Stadium in 2020. The have the losing winning percentage at home in the NFL in that time span and they they went just 2-7 at Allegiant Stadium in 2025. Apparently, we may be prepared for another rough […] The Las Vegas Raiders have had a difficult time establishing a winning atmosphere since they moved into Allegiant Stadium in 2020. The have the losing winning percentage at home in the NFL in that time span and they they went just 2-7 at Allegiant Stadium in 2025. Apparently, we may be prepared for another rough go for the Silver and Black next season. According to NFL Nerd, on X, the Raiders have the most difficult schedule in the NFL at home next year based n the 2025 winning percentages of their opponents. Here are the Raiders’ 2026 home opponents: Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks Tennessee Titans Five of those teams made the playoffs. Buckle up. In other Raiders’ news: Not high on list: Sports Illustrated thinks the Raiders’ have one of the worst openings in the NFL. FEED talk: Check out this FEED post and join the party. FA pre: The Raiders’ website looks at free agency. See More: Las Vegas Raiders Game Information
Dolphins request interview with Anthony Campanile – The Splash Zone 1/16/26
The Miami Dolphins continue to add names to their head coach candidate list and the most recent addition is a familiar name. The Dolphins requested an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile, who served as the Dolphins linebackers coach from 2020 – 2023. He spent one year with the Green Bay Packers in […] The Miami Dolphins continue to add names to their head coach candidate list and the most recent addition is a familiar name. The Dolphins requested an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile, who served as the Dolphins linebackers coach from 2020 – 2023. He spent one year with the Green Bay Packers in the same role, along with run game coordinator, before taking the Jaguars job. So there is a connection between him and Dolphins new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Another Former Dolphins Assistant on Candidate ListThe Miami Dolphins have now reached double digits in terms of candidates they have interviewed or requested to interview Dolphins 2026 Head Coach Search Tracker: The Candidates and the CompetitionThe Miami Dolphins are looking for the 12th full-time head coach in Dolphins history Miami Dolphins should hire best leader available. Period.The Miami Dolphins should hire the best available leader. Miami Dolphins coaching search: What to know about Anthony Campanile The Miami Dolphins have requested an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile for their head coach opening. What Other Former Dolphins Assistant Could or Should Get an Interview?The Miami Dolphins already have scheduled interviews with two former assistants for their head coach opening, but there are several other worthy candidates out there Dolphins Offseason The Contract Status of Every Dolphins Player Heading into 2026Breaking down the players on the Miami Dolphins roster with how each one joined the team and when each will become a free agent, along with their 2026 cap number Miami Dolphins 2026 7-Round Mock Draft: Defensive Rebuild Is the FocusOur latest Dolphins mock draft has team focusing on the defense with its early picks. Phinsider News You May Have Missed Can another Shula save the Dolphins – The Splash Zone 1/14/26Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Dolphins request Anthony Campanile interviewThe Miami Dolphins have added former linebackers coach and current Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile to their interview list. Dolphins add Bills OC Joe Brady to interview request listThe Miami Dolphins are adding Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady to their interview requests. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says he turned down $15B offer for teamStephen Ross has no plans to sell the team. Phinsider Question/Discussion Of The Day: Who Should Be Considered The Core EditionWe ask Miami Dolphins which players should be held onto as the core going forward. See More: The Splash Zone
Rams fondly remember last playoff game against Bears DC
With as good as the Rams offense and as bad as Bears defense has been this season, Sunday’s divisional round game could come down to the matchup between Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay against Chicago defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Although he wasn’t directly involved in the play, will Allen remember the last time he faced […] With as good as the Rams offense and as bad as Bears defense has been this season, Sunday’s divisional round game could come down to the matchup between Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay against Chicago defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Although he wasn’t directly involved in the play, will Allen remember the last time he faced McVay in a playoff game? The infamous “no-call” against the Saints in the 2018 playoffs when Allen was New Orleans defensive coordinator. Even though the Rams and Bears haven’t faced each other in the playoffs since 1985, Allen and head coach Ben Johnson have a lot of recent experience against McVay. As head coach or defensive coordinator of the Saints, Allen has faced the Rams eight times since 2016. As offensive coordinator of the Lions, Johnson faced the Rams twice in the last two years, including a 2023 wild card win. What do those recent meetings mean for Sunday’s playoff game? “Don’t blitz Stafford.” Bears analyst Clay Harbor, who was teammates with Matthew Stafford on the Lions in 2016, sees this as a difficult matchup for Chicago and especially if they try to blitz him: “Yes he had 46 touchdowns, but he also only had 8 interceptions. The Rams had the 4th-fewest turnovers in the league and we know that’s how the Bears like to win games. The second thing is don’t blitz Stafford. He likes it. Against the blitz, he has a 125 passer rating with 32 touchdowns and one interception.” Allen’s Bears had a blitz rate of 28.7% in 2025, the 12th-highest rate in the NFL. As head coach of the Saints, Allen faced the Rams two times from 2022-2023 and went 1-1 in those contests against McVay. He lost the last game 30-22 but the game was especially ugly as the Rams were up 30-7 going into the final seven minutes and it was the worst game of the Saints entire 2023 season in terms of EPA on defense. Allen was fired prior to New Orleans facing the Rams in 2024. But Allen was also Sean Payton’s defensive coordinator on the Saints from 2015-2021 and faced the Rams five times, including four times against McVay and that playoff loss. The Rams averaged 27 points per game in those contests against Allen’s defense. The Saints held the Rams to only 23 points in regulation (maybe 20 if they had been called for PI) but McVay wasn’t working with a full deck due to Todd Gurley’s injury, limiting him to just five touches, and the absence of Cooper Kupp. With a pretty sizeable difference at QB between Jared Goff and Stafford, McVay is much better suited to face Dennis Allen’s defense in 2026. Allen was asked about McVay before the 2018 NFC Championship and many of the same comments would probably still apply seven years later: What’s the thing that stands out above (Sean) McVay as a play-caller? If you’re looking at it as a defensive coach, is there anything that stands out? “I think he is an aggressive play-caller. I think he is always looking for his opportunities to take his shots down the field. I think he does a really good job of mixing things up. I think he does an outstanding job of giving you the same look, but yet running different plays with it. All the play action that comes off. The same running game. The same formations. Then they will do a good job of giving you some window dressing to kind of get your eyes looking at it with some of these fly motions and things of that nature. Kind of get your eyes looking at one spot and then also they are running the ball or running one of these play actions. I think he does a really good job of calling the game. I think they do a great job of setting up the gameplan to try to attack what you do defensively.” Back then he had to plan for Gurley and C.J. Anderson. Not it’s Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Stafford faced Allen’s Saints in 2022 and 2023 and combined for 4 touchdowns with no picks. He was also injured in the 2022 loss, his final game of that season, a game that the Rams probably win if they don’t turn to Bryce Perkins. Stafford posted his highest adjusted Y/A of the 2023 season against Allen’s Saints. He was great against New Orleans in 2024 too, but again this was after Allen was let go and replaced by Darren Rizzi as head coach. Ben Johnson’s experience As offensive coordinator of the Lions, Johnson had to game plan for Raheem Morris (ironically with Goff as Detroit’s QB) and scored 24 points in a win over L.A.. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 7 catches for 110 yards, but now Johnson’s most dangerous weapon is Colston Loveland. The Rams very next game was in Detroit in Week 1 of the 2024 season and the Lions won 26-20 in OT, this time against Chris Shula, and this time with Jameson Williams leading the team in yards. Under the new OT rules, the Rams would have gotten a possession and had a chance to win or tie the game. The Bears didn’t face the Rams in the regular season, but the coaches are certainly familiar with one another. Johnson has experience of knowing what it’s like to best McVay in a big game. Allen knows that sometimes you can’t interfere with fate. See More: Los Angeles Rams History
Will Kevin Dotson return?
The Rams have been sliding backwards since they lost Kevin Dotson in the middle of their loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but Sean McVay is hopeful that the guard can return to action this Sunday against the Bears. McVay told reporters on Wednesday that Dotson intends to play, but he was listed as ‘limited’ for […] The Rams have been sliding backwards since they lost Kevin Dotson in the middle of their loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but Sean McVay is hopeful that the guard can return to action this Sunday against the Bears. McVay told reporters on Wednesday that Dotson intends to play, but he was listed as ‘limited’ for Wednesday’s walkthrough so his status won’t be so clear until Thursday’s designation. Matthew Stafford and company would love to get Dotson back to replace Justin Dedich in a win-or-go-home road game in Chicago. The Rams were 11-3 and on track to beat the Seahawks for first place in the NFC West when Seattle edge rusher Derick Hall stepped on Dotson’s leg and sent him out of the game. Hall was suspended for one game. L.A. would go on to lose the game and the next week against the Falcons. The Rams haven’t quite looked the same in their last two games either, but have beaten the Cardinals and Panthers. Stafford told the media that he misses having “great guy” Dotson out there with him. On Hall, Dotson told reporters that he wasn’t even aware that Hall had stepped on him intentionally until two days after the game. He says he’s over it but would love to get his shot at revenge if both the Rams and Seahawks win this weekend. However, Dotson would probably rather avoid a revenge game if possible because if the Rams and 49ers both win, L.A. will be hosting the NFC Championship game against San Francisco. It’s unclear how likely it is that Dotson will be back this week. It’s clear that the Rams really need him.
NFL Mock Draft projects the doomsday scenario for Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs again, and once again, one of the main culprits was a poorly performing defense. Al Golden’s first season as the team’s defensive coordinator didn’t go as either he or Zac Taylor wanted it to go, but there were some small glimmers of hope at the end of the season. […] The Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs again, and once again, one of the main culprits was a poorly performing defense. Al Golden’s first season as the team’s defensive coordinator didn’t go as either he or Zac Taylor wanted it to go, but there were some small glimmers of hope at the end of the season. A FOX Sports mock draft aims to give Golden another first-round defensive player, but it’s a swing most Bengals fans would likely not want them to take. With the No. 10 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Rob Rang selected Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy. “Like with the Commanders, the injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow played an undeniable role in the Bengals’ disappointing 2025 season, but a leaky secondary deserves some blame as well,” he wrote. “Duke Tobin has historically shown a willingness to gamble on draft day, and he may be more willing than most to overlook the fact that McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. When healthy, McCoy has shown true man-to-man cover skills, demonstrating not only elite change of direction and acceleration but ball-hawking instincts and hands.” On paper, McCoy would check all the boxes. The Bengals need help in the secondary. Cam Taylor-Britt has regressed, and Dax Hill is playing on his fifth-year option, and DJ Turner is in a contract year as well. However, it would be nice to use a first-round pick on someone who doesn’t have any health flags, can contribute on Day 1, and has a productive college career. Tobin has a history of selecting players who either can’t get on the field right away, like Hill and Myles Murphy, both of whom spent a long time as rotational players before they got consistent playing time. He’s also selected guys who were selected based on physical attributes that were regarded with more weight than what they produced in college, like Shemar Stewart, last year’s first-round edge rusher who racked up four total sacks while at Texas A&M. While McCoy could be healthy and could be a productive corner at the NFL level, it’s time for the Bengals to use their top-10 pick on someone they KNOW (as much as they can about a prospect) can step in right away and make a difference on the defense. Someone like Miami’s Rueben Bain, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, or Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. How would you feel if the Bengals used their first-round pick on McCoy? Sound off. See More:
NFL Mock Draft projects the doomsday scenario for Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs again, and once again, one of the main culprits was a poorly performing defense. Al Golden’s first season as the team’s defensive coordinator didn’t go as either he or Zac Taylor wanted it to go, but there were some small glimmers of hope at the end of the season. […] The Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs again, and once again, one of the main culprits was a poorly performing defense. Al Golden’s first season as the team’s defensive coordinator didn’t go as either he or Zac Taylor wanted it to go, but there were some small glimmers of hope at the end of the season. A FOX Sports mock draft aims to give Golden another first-round defensive player, but it’s a swing most Bengals fans would likely not want them to take. With the No. 10 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Rob Rang selected Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy. “Like with the Commanders, the injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow played an undeniable role in the Bengals’ disappointing 2025 season, but a leaky secondary deserves some blame as well,” he wrote. “Duke Tobin has historically shown a willingness to gamble on draft day, and he may be more willing than most to overlook the fact that McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. When healthy, McCoy has shown true man-to-man cover skills, demonstrating not only elite change of direction and acceleration but ball-hawking instincts and hands.” On paper, McCoy would check all the boxes. The Bengals need help in the secondary. Cam Taylor-Britt has regressed, and Dax Hill is playing on his fifth-year option, and DJ Turner is in a contract year as well. However, it would be nice to use a first-round pick on someone who doesn’t have any health flags, can contribute on Day 1, and has a productive college career. Tobin has a history of selecting players who either can’t get on the field right away, like Hill and Myles Murphy, both of whom spent a long time as rotational players before they got consistent playing time. He’s also selected guys who were selected based on physical attributes that were regarded with more weight than what they produced in college, like Shemar Stewart, last year’s first-round edge rusher who racked up four total sacks while at Texas A&M. While McCoy could be healthy and could be a productive corner at the NFL level, it’s time for the Bengals to use their top-10 pick on someone they KNOW (as much as they can about a prospect) can step in right away and make a difference on the defense. Someone like Miami’s Rueben Bain, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, or Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. How would you feel if the Bengals used their first-round pick on McCoy? Sound off. See More:
Kansas City Chiefs news: NFL coaching news, rumors, interviews tracker
Starting with Black Monday, we’re tracking the NFL’s 2026 coaching carousel — especially as it relates to the Kansas City Chiefs — right here. Coming off a 6-11 season, Kansas City wants to improve its coaching staff. Or does it? It’s not yet clear whether offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo or special […] Starting with Black Monday, we’re tracking the NFL’s 2026 coaching carousel — especially as it relates to the Kansas City Chiefs — right here. Coming off a 6-11 season, Kansas City wants to improve its coaching staff. Or does it? It’s not yet clear whether offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo or special teams coordinator Dave Toub will be finding new jobs in this coaching cycle. The Chiefs have not yet made us aware of any interviews they have conducted — but that could change at any time. Stay tuned. Wednesday, January 14 7:07 p.m. Former Falcons’ offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will interview with the Lions for offensive coordinator position. 4:37 p.m. 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will interview with the Ravens and Titans on Sunday. 3:26 p.m. Buccaneers interview former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for their head coaching vacancy. 2:37 p.m. Steelers have requested an interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. 2:13 p.m. Steelers requested interview with former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. 2:08 p.m. Cardinals interviewing former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Wednesday. He’ll interview with the Falcons and Raiders on Thursday. 1:00 p.m. Cowboys request interview with Ravens’ defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen for their defensive coordinator job. 12:55 p.m. Steelers also request a head coach interview with the Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula. 12:47 p.m. Steelers first interview request is for Rams’ passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Baltimore, Cleveland and Las Vegas have also asked for interviews. 12:17 p.m. Falcons will interview former Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce for their head coaching job later this week. 11:05 a.m. After meeting with the Giants, former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is setting up in-person interviews with the Titans and Falcons. 10:53 a.m. Buccaneers interview former Dolphins special teams coordinator Craig Auckerman for that position in Tampa Bay. 10:38 a.m. Cowboys request permission to interview Eagles defensive backs coach (and passing game coordinator) Christian Parker for their vacant defensive coordinator job. 9:23 a.m. Dolphins request an interview with Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile for their head coaching job. 9:16 a.m. Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has received requests to interview for the Cardinals’ and Titans’ head coaching jobs. Tuesday, January 13 9:05 p.m. Raiders’ defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will interview for Dolphins’ head coaching job. 7:12 p.m. Cardinals have requested to interview Texans’ defensive coordinator Matt Burke. 2:30 p.m. Eagles have fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. 1:05 p.m. Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin is stepping away from coaching. 12:20 p.m. Chargers have fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. 10:14 a.m. Dolphins are interviewing former Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski in person on Tuesday. 10:01 a.m. Buccaneers have completed a virtual interview with Giants’ interim head coach Mike Kafka. 8:56 a.m. Titans will interview Packers’ defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Tuesday for the head coaching position. 7:20 a.m. Titans will interview former Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll for the head coaching position on Friday. 6:40 a.m. Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken will interview for the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator position in person on Wednesday. Monday, January 12 4:42 p.m. Dolphins have requested to interview Lions’ defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for their vacant head coaching job. 4:14 p.m. Commanders have requested an interview with Panthers’ assistant quarterbacks coach Mike Bercovici for their open position. 4:13 p.m. Cowboys will also interview former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr for their defensive coordinator position. 2:53 p.m. Cowboys will interview defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton for their defensive coordinator position, along with Browns’ safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Vikings’ defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones and Broncos’ defensive passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard. 2:05 p.m. Browns requested an interview with Jaguars’ offensive coordinator Grant Udinski for their head coaching vacancy. 2:01 p.m. Ravens requested an interview with Browns’ defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. 12:52 p.m. Raiders are now requesting Chargers’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter for a head coach interview. 10:55 a.m. Giants will interview Colts’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo virtually on Tuesday for the head coaching position. 7:43 a.m. Browns are interviewing Mike McDaniel on Monday for head coaching position. 7:43 a.m. Packers are expected to work out a deal to retain head coach Matt LaFleur. 7:35 a.m. Ravens request interview with Chargers’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. 7:14 a.m. Ravens are interviewing Kliff Kingsbury for the head coaching position on Monday. 6:42 a.m. Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will interview with the Browns, Falcons, Titans and Ravens for their head coaching positions. Sunday, January 11 3:54 p.m. Falcons request interview with Panthers’ defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for head coaching position, per report. 3:34 p.m. Raiders request interview with Panthers’ defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for head coaching position, per report. 3:15 p.m. Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula has interview requests from the Cardinals, Raiders, Titans, Giants, Ravens and Dolphins. 3:15 p.m. Rams’ offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has interview requests from the Raiders and Cardinals. 3:15 p.m. Rams’ pass-game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase has interview requests from the Raiders, Browns and Ravens. 2:33 p.m. Falcons have interviewed former Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski. 8:57 a.m. Browns request interview with Rams’ passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, per report. Saturday, January 10 2:39 p.m. Buccaneers interview Lions passing game coordinator David Shaw and Cardinals quarterback coach Israel Woolfork for offensive coordinator, per report. 12:27 p.m. Falcons request interview with Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde for their head coaching job, per report. 12:13 p.m. Dolphins request interview with Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula for their head coaching job, per report. 11:54 a.m. Dolphins request interview with 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, per report. 11:36 a.m. Buccaneers interview Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins for their
