February 12, 2026
The New England Patriots have moved defensive coordinator Terrell Williams to a high-ranking role on the coaching staff, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. Williams joined Mike Vrabel's coaching staff as the defensive coordinator prior to the 2025 season, but he stepped away from the organization in September for prostate cancer treatment. Linebackers coach Zak Kuhr assumed defensive play-calling duties for the remainder of the season, including the Patriots' Super Bowl run, and he's reportedly "a top candidate" to replace Williams as the defensive coordinator. Williams is now cancer-free and will remain a key member of the Patriots' staff in 2026, albeit in a different role. New England's defense allowed the eighth-fewest yards during the regular season, as well as the fewest yards per game during the playoffs.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
February 12, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested an interview with Houston Texans passing-game coordinator Cory Undlin for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns interviewed Atlanta Falcons' defensive passing-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the DC job on Wednesday. Cleveland was hoping to keep Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator, but he resigned after being passed over for the head-coaching gig. Whoever takes over the Browns' offense will have plenty to work with, namely Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The 54-year-old Undlin has been in Houston since 2023 after following head coach DeMeco Ryans from San Francisco. He worked under Schwartz with the Eagles from 2016 to 2019 as a defensive backs coach and also worked on the Jaguars' staff alongside new Browns head coach Todd Monken from 2009 to 2010.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
February 12, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring former Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The 53-year-old spent four years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and will be an experienced addition to first-time head coach Klint Kubiak's staff in 2026. McCoy went 27-37 in his time with the Chargers before serving as an offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2017 and the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He then was the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach for three seasons before he was hired by the Titans last year as a senior offensive assistant. McCoy will be Kubiak's right-hand man next season and will also have input on the offense, although Kubiak plans to call the plays. He will also help in the development of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
February 11, 2026
The Carolina Panthers hired former Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator Darrell Bevell as associate head coach/offensive specialist on Wednesday, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Bevell is a long-time respected NFL assistant coach who will bring a wealth of experience to head coach Dave Canales' staff as Carolina looks to take another step forward after making the postseason in 2025. Canales was the Seattle Seahawks' wide receivers coach when Bevell was the offensive coordinator, so the two have worked together before. The Panthers are hoping that the addition of Bevell will help quarterback
Bryce Young take the next step in his development after Carolina's offense ranked only 26th in EPA per play and 18th in success rate last season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
February 9, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders officially agreed to an undisclosed five-year deal with new head coach Klint Kubiak on Monday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Raiders had to wait to officially name Kubiak as their next head coach until after Super Bowl LX. He will get to work quickly after helping lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. Kubiak is the fourth head coach for the Raiders in the last four seasons, but they are hoping that he'll bring some stability to the role as the team looks to rebuild. They have the No 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are fully expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Kubiak will be crucial in the development of Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 9, 2026
Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant will interview for the defensive-coordinator jobs with the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Pleasant has worked with five different teams (Rams, Washington Commanders, Browns, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers) since starting his NFL coaching career back in 2013, but he has never been a defensive coordinator. The more attractive job is definitely in Cleveland, where the reigning Defensive Player of the Year resides in pass-rusher Myles Garrett. Pleasant was also interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive-coordinator position this offseason before they chose Chris O'Leary for the gig. He has spent the last three seasons in L.A. coaching under Sean McVay.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 9, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview New York Giants assistant coach Charlie Bullen for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Bullen is also in the mix for the defensive-coordinator position with the Arizona Cardinals. He took over as the Giants' interim DC last season when the team fired Shane Bowen, but he was unable to land the full-time DC gig after John Harbaugh took over as the new head coach. Bullen has 13 years of coaching experience in the NFL, but he's never been a defensive coordinator. He got his start as a defensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins in 2012. The Browns are looking for a new DC after Jim Schwartz resigned because he was passed over for the head-coaching opening. Cleveland's defense already has a strong base to work with, including Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
February 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator confirmed on Sunday after winning Super Bowl LX over the New England Patriots that he will be the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to NFL Network. "Hell yeah, I'm going [to Las Vegas.]" Kubiak said. The 38-year-old and the Raiders began finalizing an agreement a week ago, but no official announcement could be made until after the Super Bowl. Kubiak will be the third head coach in Vegas in three seasons and the fifth head coach since the moved to Vegas in 2020. He will take over for Pete Carroll, who went 3-14 in his lone season with the Raiders. Kubiak will likely be counted on to mold Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be selected by the Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kubiak's work with
Sam Darnold in 2025 got the Raiders' attention.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network
February 8, 2026
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (concussion) is questionable to return to the Super Bowl due to a concussion. Knight sustained this concussion in the game's third quarter. Before exiting, the 25-year-old linebacker logged one solo tackle. While he remains on the sidelines, fantasy managers should expect Seattle to turn to Drake Thomas to have a larger role.
--Andy SmithSource: Michael-Shawn Dugar
February 8, 2026
New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (shoulder) has returned to the Super Bowl. Tavai made a brief exit earlier in the second quarter witha shoulder injury. However, Mike Reiss of ESPN reported that the 39-year-old has been cleared to return to action. During the regular season, Tavai logged 42 tackles and is expected to remain in a rotational role this evening.
--Andy SmithSource: Mike Reiss
February 8, 2026
Seattle Seahawks safety Ty Okada (calf) is questionable to return to the Super Bowl due to a calf injury. The safety suffered this injury in the game's second frame. Before suffering the injury, the 26-year-old did not get himself on the box score. Throughout the regular season, the free safety served as the No. 2 option behind Julian Love. Managers should expect Love to see a larger role in the secondary while Okada remains on the sidelines.
--Andy SmithSource: Seattle Seahawks PR
February 8, 2026
New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (shoulder) is questionable to return to the Super Bowl, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. The 29-year-old linebacker sustained this injury when attempting to make a tackle on a third-down stop. Tavai was seen immediately going to the blue medical tent for further evaluation. Before exiting, he did not log a tackle. If he were to remain sidelined this evening, Christian Ellis would likely see a larger role.
--Andy SmithSource: Mike Reiss
February 6, 2026
NFL.com's Matt Okada ranks the Kansas City Chiefs as No. 1 on his list of teams that are positioned to be hit the hardest by free agency in 2026. In addition to having 30 impending free agents (tied for fifth-most in the league), the Chiefs are projected to be $54.7 million over the salary cap this year. They are coming off a six-win season (fewest wins since 2012), and superstar quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) is recovering from a torn ACL. The most notable Chiefs players scheduled to hit free agency are tight end
Travis Kelce (retirement is a possibility), starting defensive backs Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook, pass-rusher Charles Omenihu, running backs
Isiah Pacheco and
Kareem Hunt, and a good chunk of their receivers. To save cap space, the Chiefs could cut starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor, but it's not an ideal move for a team looking to shore up their offensive line. If anyone can work magic, it would be general manager Brett Veach, but things are looking bleak for KC after they missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com - Matt Okada
February 6, 2026
Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is resigning, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Schwartz told other members of Cleveland's coaching staff that he wouldn't be back with the organization when the team announced that they were hiring Todd Monken as their new head coach over him, and now it's official. The expectation is that Schwartz, who is under contract with the Browns through next season, will not coach in the NFL for the 2026 season. The Browns' defense has been one of the best units in the league the last couple of years under Schwartz, with Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett leading the charge. Although Cleveland has the personnel on the roster to continue to be dominant in 2026, losing Schwartz is a big deal. It remains to be seen if Schwartz will be in play for any head-coaching positions next cycle, but at the very least, he'll be a coveted defensive coordinator if he wants to continue coaching.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
February 5, 2026
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden's attorneys will seek testimony from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and at least four current and former NFL owners in his lawsuit over whether the league leaked the emails that forced his departure as the Raiders' coach, according to a court filing this week. Gruden resigned in October of 2021 after the publication of emails he sent years earlier that included racist, misogynistic, and anti-gay language. Gruden's lawsuit accuses the league and Goodell of a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" to destroy his career. To this point, there have been no settlement talks. Gruden was an on-air analyst for ESPN from 2011 to 2018 when the emails were sent. In its filings to seek dismissal of Gruden's lawsuit, the NFL has said Gruden's case "hinges solely on unsupported allegations that fail as a matter of law or fall far short of stating a claim and should have been promptly dismissed when the NFL Parties first so moved."
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Don Van Natta Jr.
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