Coaching News
Sean McDermott‘s firing in Buffalo continues to dominate the NFL coaching cycle. Owner Terry Pegula made the decision abruptly following the team’s playoff exit, reportedly informing McDermott in the locker room immediately after the loss. Public reaction has labeled the move as emotional and possibly premature. Pegula defended the action during his first press conference in over five years but offered little clarity, prompting further scrutiny.
As the Bills begin their search, Brian Daboll, recently dismissed by the Giants, meets today with Pegula, GM Brandon Beane, and other executives. Daboll, who previously served as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator, is reportedly prioritizing the Bills job ahead of other opportunities. Meanwhile, current OC Joe Brady, also interviewed for the Buffalo opening, is now visiting the Ravens regarding their head coaching vacancy.
The Giants are undergoing a major staffing overhaul. New head coach John Harbaugh has reportedly informed the bulk of the defensive staff and special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial that they will not return in 2026. Additionally, longtime team executive Kevin Abrams, with the franchise since 1999, is stepping away from the organization.
The Steelers continue their head coach search following heavy speculation about Mike Tomlin‘s future. Tomlin reportedly informed Najee Harris he should leave the team, and now Jay Glazer reports Tomlin is “done” with coaching and may transition to a television role. Pittsburgh has interviewed Mike McCarthy and also had a strong first impression from Nate Scheelhaase, who some within the organization say gave off a “Mike Tomlin vibe.”
In the NFC South, the Buccaneers are finalizing a deal to hire former Falcons OC Zac Robinson for the same role. In a related development, the Chiefs are bringing back Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator as part of an effort to stabilize their coaching structure after a disappointing season.
The Eagles, who are still seeking an offensive coordinator, interviewed Matt Nagy. NFL analyst Ross Tucker suggests Philadelphia’s perceived volatile environment — including incidents like former OC Shane Patullo‘s house being egged — may be deterring top candidates.
The Vikings have secured continuity on defense by extending DC Brian Flores. While he remains in the head coaching candidate pool this cycle, the extension ensures his return in 2026 if he is not hired elsewhere.
Finally, there’s speculation around Jim Schwartz in Cleveland, with internal deliberation on whether to promote the current DC to head coach rather than risk losing him entirely.
Player News
Davante Adams expressed frustration over his playoff drought, saying the Super Bowl “feels almost like a mythical thing” at this stage in his career. The veteran wide receiver’s comments underscore the mounting pressure in Las Vegas to build a contender.
Bo Nix, the rookie QB for the Broncos, offered an emotional message with confirmation of a significant injury that ends his season early. Though he did not specify the nature of the injury, he voiced strong support for his team and optimism for the organization moving forward, particularly endorsing backup Jarrett Stidham.
Front Office & Organizational Moves
As noted, the Giants have parted ways with senior VP of football operations and strategy Kevin Abrams, further signaling a front-office revamp under the new regime.
Team & League Developments
The 49ers face uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. GM John Lynch strongly implied that Aiyuk has played his final snap for San Francisco, following weeks of communication breakdowns where the player ceased contact with the team entirely. Head coach Kyle Shanahan called the radio silence unprecedented in his coaching career.
Also in San Francisco, the organization is reportedly investigating a range of issues surrounding a recent outage theory that disrupted game operations at Levi’s Stadium, including speculation of a substation failure.
Awards
Matthew Stafford has been named the 2025 PFWA Most Valuable Player. The Rams quarterback posted a resurgent season that helped lift the team back into playoff contention, earning him high recognition from the league’s press corps.
Media & Viewership
CBS Sports announced that the recent Bills-Broncos playoff matchup averaged 39.6 million viewers, setting a new record as the most-watched Saturday NFL telecast in league history. The game peaked at over 51 million viewers, highlighting continued strong television interest in postseason football.
Financial Notes
In a rare financial footnote, it’s been reported that Tutu Atwell effectively earned $1.7 million per reception with the Rams this season. Though taking up minimal cap space, the discrepancy between performance and cost could raise questions heading into roster evaluations.