January 23, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers will be a free agent in March, and the expectation is that he will not return to the Steel City after long-time head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons with the organization. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero believes that if Rodgers does decide to come back to play for a new Steelers head coach, it would be former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who is a native of Pittsburgh. The Steelers are open to the future Hall of Fame QB returning for another year in 2026, but they wouldn't be hiring McCarthy specifically to lure Rodgers back after he led the team to the postseason in 2025. Pittsburgh's ownership isn't interested in rebuilding, so hiring a veteran coach like McCarthy to lead a veteran roster would make a lot of sense. Retirement is very much on the table for Rodgers this offseason, but if the Steelers hire McCarthy as their next head coach, it could push the 42-year-old to return for one last rodeo.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 23, 2026
The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes that the Miami Dolphins "almost assuredly" will release wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) before mid-March. Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 and is due to make $29.9 million in 2026. However, none of that money is guaranteed until mid-March, when $11 million of it becomes guaranteed if he's on the team, in addition to a $5 million roster bonus. His contract carries a $51.9 million salary cap hit, so even if he wasn't injured, Hill wouldn't have returned to Miami on that deal. If the speedy wideout is released, as expected, his 2026 cap hit would drop from $51.9 million to $28.2 million. If he's cut after June 1, the team's cap hit would be just $15.9 million. Hill is entering his age-32 season in 2026, and after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee, his trademark speed could be affected going forward. Ultimately, his fantasy stock will depend on where he's playing next season, but his arrow is definitely pointing down.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Herald - Barry Jackson
January 23, 2026
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen), who is still on Injured Reserve, will be questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the hosting Denver Broncos, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Hollins was originally placed on IR back on Dec. 27, and he returned to practice for the first time on Thursday in a limited session. The 32-year-old must be officially activated from IR by Saturday if the Patriots want him active on Sunday. If he returns, he'll merely be a dart throw in fantasy football playoff leagues after his long layoff. During the regular season in his first year with New England, Hollins was a deep threat for quarterback
Drake Maye, catching 46 of 65 targets for 550 yards and two touchdowns. We wouldn't recommend Hollins as a sleeper this weekend in Denver if he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
January 23, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Keon Coleman had a rough year in 2025, recording 38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets across 13 games played. Despite his team desperately needing pass-catching help for much of the season, the 22-year-old was a healthy scratch for multiple games and had his maturity called into question by team officials. The Bills moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott after losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. McDermott's firing could mean a fresh start for Coleman with a new coaching staff, which could work to his benefit. However, Buffalo retained general manager Brandon Beane, and Bills owner Terry Pegula recently insinuated that Coleman's selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was more McDermott's call than Beane's. Depending on how Buffalo addresses the wide receiver position during the offseason, Coleman's status with the Bills could be in question heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
To this point in his career, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson has spent all eight of his NFL seasons playing for head coach John Harbaugh. However, that is set to change in 2026. Baltimore parted ways with Harbaugh at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, and the team recently announced the hiring of former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. With 2025 Ravens play-caller Todd Monken likely to follow Harbaugh to his new gig as the head coach of the New York Giants, Jackson appears likely to be working with his fourth different offensive coordinator since the start of his time with Baltimore. After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Jackson battled through injuries in a relative down year in 2025. Even still, the 29-year-old averaged over eight yards per pass attempt while rushing for 349 yards and two scores. Jackson may be rejuvenated by a change of leadership in Baltimore, and he remains a high-end quarterback option for fantasy managers heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
By his own lofty standards, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua was held in check by the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round, hauling in just five catches for 56 yards on 10 targets. Things may not get any easier for Nacua in the NFC Championship Game, as he will face one of the best pass defenses in the NFL in the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle finished the regular season ranked first in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and fifth in interceptions (18). Still, Nacua remains an elite wide receiver option for fantasy managers. Dating back to the regular season, the 24-year-old has earned double-digit targets in seven straight contests, recording seven touchdowns in that span. Nacua also had success in the regular season against Seattle, recording a combined 19 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns on 24 targets across two matchups. Even against a tough opponent, Nacua carries high-end upside at the wide receiver position. heading into the NFC Championship Game.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
In snowy conditions in last week's Divisional Round win over the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams was quiet, catching only two of his six targets for 24 yards. The week prior in the Wild-Card victory over the Carolina Panthers, the 33-year-old veteran caught five of a season-high 13 targets for 72 yards. Adams hasn't exactly been a beast for fantasy managers in two playoff games, but we must remember that he missed the final three regular-season games due to a balky hamstring. He was briefly examined in the medical tent against the Bears, but he returned to the game. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wideout had a league-high 14 touchdown catches in 14 regular-season games, but he has only seen double-digit targets in three of 16 games this year. Adams will still be a top-five fantasy WR this weekend, but teammate
Puka Nacua definitely has more upside and a higher floor.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 23, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks activated rookie tight end
Elijah Arroyo (knee) from Injured Reserve ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Arroyo missed the last five games due to a knee injury, but he now has a chance to return for this weekend's game against the Rams, where he'll most likely serve in a backup role to
AJ Barner. The 22-year-old second-rounder only caught 15 passes on 26 targets for 179 yards and one touchdown in his first 13 NFL games during the regular season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Arroyo to have a big role on Sunday if he suits up. Arroyo's lone touchdown of his rookie campaign came in the Nov. 2 win over the Washington Commanders, when he caught both of his targets for 29 yards. Arroyo's best game was a four-catch, 42-yard performance on Oct. 20 versus the Texans.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 23, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks activated running back
George Holani (hamstring) from Injured Reserve on Friday ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship game versus the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Holani originally landed on IR on Nov. 29, but after practicing in full on Wednesday and Thursday, he's trending in the right direction to be active for this weekend's big game. It's great timing for the 26-year-old, too, as he could operate as Seattle's RB2 behind starter
Kenneth Walker III if he's active after
Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Even though Holani is trending up going into the NFC Championship, he won't be recommended for starting lineups in playoff leagues if he suits up. Holani last played on Nov 23, and he had 22 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown in his 11 regular-season games in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 23, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the New York Giants' offensive-coordinator job is considered Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken's to lose. Monken is the "clear favorite at this point," as long as he's not named the next head coach for the Cleveland Browns. The veteran coach led the Ravens to a top-ranked offense under head coach John Harbaugh for the last three seasons. The Miami Dolphins also have interest in Monken as their offensive coordinator, but it would be a surprise if he doesn't follow Harbaugh to New York if he doesn't get the Browns' head-coaching job. Monken would have plenty to work with in the Big Apple if he joins Harbaugh, with a talented group of skill players that includes quarterback
Jaxson Dart, running back
Cam Skattebo, and receiver
Malik Nabers. In his first year in Baltimore, Monken helped QB
Lamar Jackson win his second MVP award.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
January 23, 2026
Chicago Bears defensive backs/passing-game coordinator Al Harris is scheduled to interview with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday for their defensive-coordinator job, a league source told NFL insider Josina Anderson. Before coaching the Bears in 2025, Harris, a former Pro Bowl cornerback, spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys in a similar role. He's a popular name floating around for opening defensive-coordinator roles in the NFL this cycle after coaching up a ball-hawking Bears defense this year. The Chicago defense led the NFL with 33 turnovers (23 interceptions) in 2025. Harris already met with the Washington Commanders about their DC job, and he has a close relationship with head coach Dan Quinn after working under him for four years in Dallas. If he were to land in Tennessee, Harris would have his work cut out for him with a Titans defense that allowed 28.1 points per game this year, the fifth-most in the league.
--Keith HernandezSource: Josina Anderson
January 23, 2026
The Tennessee Titans have spoken to Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith about their offensive-coordinator vacancy, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Smith was on the Titans' coaching staff from 2011 to 2020 and was a candidate for the head-coaching job before the team hired Robert Saleh. After his long stint with the Titans, Smith departed to take the head-coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons before serving as Pittsburgh's OC the last couple of seasons under Mike Tomlin. Now that Tomlin is out in the Steel City after 19 years, Smith is looking for a new coaching gig. If he were to go back to Tennessee, he'd have a big challenge on his hands with a roster that doesn't have a ton of weapons for young quarterback
Cameron Ward. The tight end situation in Tennessee would be intriguing for Smith, though, with
Gunnar Helm and
Chig Okonkwo.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
January 23, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers have requested to interview Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr for their vacant defensive-coordinator job, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Orr has been the Ravens' DC for the last two seasons and previously worked alongside former Chargers DC Jesse Minter, who became the new head coach of the Ravens on Thursday. The Ravens defense ranked ninth in points allowed in 2024, but they fell to 18th in that category under Orr in 2025 and also ranked 24th in yards allowed. Meanwhile, the Chargers' defense ranked ninth in points per game (20) and fifth in total yards allowed per game (285.2) under Minter. Orr still has a lot to prove as a defensive coordinator, but if he heads to L.A. to coach under another Harbaugh, he'll have a strong base to work with in what was one of the most underrated defenses in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 23, 2026
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Philip Rivers and current St. Michael Catholic High School coach Philip Rivers is interviewing on Friday for the Buffalo Bills' head-coaching job, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Rivers surprisingly came out of retirement to play for the Colts again in 2025 after
Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The 44-year-old eight-time Pro Bowler threw for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in his three starts, but he was unable to help the Colts get into the playoffs before retiring for the second time. Rivers is now interested in coaching at the NFL level, although he feels like more of a long shot to land the Bills' head-coaching job with zero prior coaching experience in the NFL. However, maybe there's a chance he wins over quarterback
Josh Allen, who is going to have significant say in who the next head coach in Buffalo is.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 23, 2026
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen will have "significant say" on the next head coach of the team, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The Bills are ensuring that Allen is a significant part of the hiring process, following the firing of Sean McDermott on Monday after nine years at the helm. Buffalo has already met with a few head-coaching candidates, and Allen has been sitting in on everything. The Bills are interviewing a wide range of coaches for the head-coaching vacancy, but reports have suggested that they will probably prefer an offensive-minded individual who can develop strong chemistry with Allen. Despite having one of the weaker receiver rooms in the league in 2025, Allen finished as the QB1 in overall fantasy points, although most of it came because of his rushing prowess. The Bills need to get him more help if they are going to get over the hump in the playoffs.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
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