January 20, 2026

One of the primary reasons former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh agreed to become the New York Giants' next head coach was the presence of young quarterback Jaxson Dart, who was drafted late in the first round in 2025. "I'm excited about Jaxson Dart," Harbaugh said. The veteran head coach likes Dart's talent and skills, but more than that, he likes "what he is about," according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. The 22-year-old took over the starting gig in his first NFL season by Week 4 and displayed elite athleticism and dual-threat ability despite the Giants going 4-10 in games he appeared in. Overall, Dart completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five picks in 14 games (12 starts), adding 86 carries for 487 yards and nine more scores on the ground. With Harbaugh now in the mix to help develop him, Dart's fantasy football arrow is pointed straight up with high-end QB1 potential.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Giants.com - Dan Salomone

January 20, 2026

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) said on Monday that he expects to return from his torn Achilles "well before November" while also saying he could play close to the 2026 regular-season opener, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 and had successful surgery last week. Kittle's Achilles tear was a best-case scenario because he suffered a "clean tear." "They didn't have to drill into my heel," Kittle said. "And where the repair was, there's more blood flow. And so it takes some time off the recovery time." The 32-year-old only played in 11 regular-season games due to injuries in 2025, although he was the TE3 in half-PPR fantasy points per game (12.1), catching 57 passes for 628 yards and seven TDs. While Kittle is optimistic about his recovery, fantasy managers should expect him to miss potentially half the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Eric Branch

January 20, 2026

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams (knee), who tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee on Nov. 2, said on Monday that he "should" be back in time for the start of training camp at the end of July, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Williams, a first-rounder in 2025, said he's been leaning on advice from position mate Nick Bosa (knee), who tore his ACL six weeks before Williams did. The 21-year-old Williams missed the final 10 games of his first season in the NFL. Before his season-ending knee injury, Williams only had 20 tackles (11 solo), one sack, and a fumble recovery in nine games played. Getting both Williams and Bosa back healthy for the 2026 season will be big as the Niners look to bounce back from a health perspective on both sides of the football.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows

January 20, 2026

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) is optimistic about his recovery from a fractured and dislocated ankle and was confident that he would have been able to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game had the 49ers beaten the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round last weekend, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "Which gives me the ultimate confidence going forward into the offseason, to just attack things as hard as I can," Warner said. "Because there are no limitations." Warner didn't need any follow-up surgeries for the ankle he injured on Oct. 12, so barring any setbacks, he should be all systems go for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. The 29-year-old had 51 total tackles, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles on 329 defensive snaps this year before his injury. Warner will be a high-end linebacker target in IDP fantasy leagues once he's fully recovered.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows

January 20, 2026

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half of the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots, becoming just the second QB since 1991 to throw four picks in a playoff half. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL draft has rapidly regressed since his impressive rookie season. The Texans are expected to pick up his fifth-year option, but so far, the Texans are non-committal on a long-term contract extension for Stroud. Under first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley in 2025, Stroud completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Despite having three playoff wins in his three seasons, Stroud has just five TDs with six interceptions and seven fumbles (two lost) in the postseason. Stroud said he was still "getting adjusted" to the new offense this year. Perhaps he'll be better in 2026 if Caley sticks around as the OC, but for fantasy purposes, Stroud has become a QB2 instead of a legitimate QB1 option.--Keith Hernandez
Source: FOX Sports - Ben Arthur

January 20, 2026

The New York Giants are expected to be aggressive in targeting ex-Baltimore Ravens players in free agency, sources told Connor Hughes of SNY. New Giants head coach John Harbaugh, who coached the Ravens for 18 seasons, wants people who know his way to carry out his message in the locker room in his new home in the Big Apple. Hughes writes that center Tyler Linderbaum is a player to keep an eye on this offseason. Linderbaum played for Harbaugh with the Ravens from 2022-25 and will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Upgrading the offensive line will be one of Harbaugh's and the Giants' front office's biggest priorities going into 2026, so Linderbaum makes a lot of sense. Fullback Patrick Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely are other Ravens players who could be pursued heavily by Harbaugh and the Giants this offseason.--Keith Hernandez
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes

January 20, 2026

Despite head coach Sean McDermott leading the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs eight times in his nine seasons at the helm, he was fired on Monday. McDermott won 98 games in the regular season and eight in the playoffs during his time with the team, but he was let go because of the fact that he couldn't get over the hump and get Buffalo to the Super Bowl. McDermott leaves Buffalo as the second-winningest coach in franchise history. Vic Carucci writes that McDermott's firing is "already being met with skepticism by players who held McDermott in high regard." In addition to the firing of McDermott, the Bills promoted general manager Brandon Beane to president of football operations. It means that getting a strong head coach to replace McDermott might be difficult if they have to answer to Beane instead of the owner.--Keith Hernandez
Source: WGRZ - Vic Carucci

January 20, 2026

The Green Bay Packers have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings passing-game coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones for their defensive-coordinator job, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The Packers need a new DC after previous defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley left to take the Miami Dolphins' head-coaching job. Jones interviewed in-person for the DC job with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets, and the New York Giants have also requested an interview with him. The 47-year-old helped the Vikings' secondary allow the fewest passing yards per game (159) this year while working under respected defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who is receiving interest around the league for a few head-coaching positions. Jones would have a nice base to work with in Green Bay with All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee).--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

January 20, 2026

The Baltimore Ravens will interview Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi for their head-coaching job, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. Before the New York Giants hired John Harbaugh, Rizzi had an interview with them. Rizzi is in his first year with the Broncos as their special teams coach. He also worked with head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints and became the Saints' interim head coach during the 2024 season, following Dennis Allen's firing, compiling a 3-5 record. Rizzi also coached with the Miami Dolphins from 2009-18, including nine seasons as their special teams coordinator. The Ravens are looking to replace Harbaugh after 18 seasons with the organization. Rizzi is a respected coach around the NFL, but it would be a pretty big surprise if he landed one of the top head-coaching positions in the league.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 9 News - Mike Klis

January 20, 2026

Super-Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy will interview on Wednesday with the Pittsburgh Steelers for their head-coaching job, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. McCarthy was a candidate for the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching job before withdrawing his name on Monday morning. He has turned other inquiries down as well and is focused firmly on the Steelers' gig, where he's considered a strong candidate to replace long-time head coach Mike Tomlin. McCarthy is from Pittsburgh and could help the Steelers bring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will be a free agent in March, back to the Steel City for one more season. With McCarthy, Pittsburgh would be getting a head coach who has won 61% of his games over 18 seasons in the NFL. He took a year off from coaching in 2025 after being fired by the Cowboys, but McCarthy is ready to get back into coaching.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

January 20, 2026

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, the Tennessee Titans are expected to name Robert Saleh as their franchise's next head coach. Entering 2025, Brian Callahan had head coaching duties but was removed from his role following a 1-5 start. In 2024, Callahan did not find much success as well, leading the Titans to a 3-14 record. Tennessee then turned to interim Mike McCoy for the remainder of the season, and he led them to two victories over their last 11 contests. Saleh served as San Francisco's defensive coordinator in 2025, but had previously served as a head coach with the New York Jets. Across 56 games with the Jets, Saleh posted a modest 20-36 record but typically had an elite defense. In 2022 and 2023, the Jets allowed the fourth and third-fewest yards, respectively, but were held back by their offense. Over two stints as the 49ers' defensive coordinator (2017-2020, 2025), Saleh saw similar success, as the team typically boasted one of the sport's top defensive units. In 2019, they allowed the second-fewest yards and third-fewest total points. This past season, despite dealing with numerous injuries, the San Francisco defense allowed the 13th-fewest total points and was dominant against the run, allowing the 11th-fewest rushing yards per game. The defensive-minded coach will be a great fit for a Titans squad that allowed 28.1 PPG (fifth-highest in the sport) last season.--Andy Smith
Source: Ian Rapoport

January 19, 2026

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had some clutch catches to move the chains in Sunday's snowy Divisional Round win over the Chicago Bears, but he didn't exactly go off for fantasy managers in playoff leagues. Nacua caught five of his 10 targets for 56 yards while rushing the ball twice for six yards in the overtime victory. It was the 24-year-old's third-lowest yardage total of the year, and he failed to find the end zone for the first time since Dec. 14 against the Detroit Lions. Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in last week's Wild-Card win over the Carolina Panthers. He's one of the best all-around players in the NFL and will take on the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship this Sunday. The last time he faced Seattle in Week 16, Nacua went off for 12 catches, a season-high 225 yards, and two touchdowns. Nacua will most likely bounce back against Seattle.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 19, 2026

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero thinks there are three teams to watch as potential landing spots for former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott as he seeks his next head-coaching opportunity. McDermott is 51 years old, so Pelissero reasons that the veteran coach won't be looking for a rebuild, but rather a situation where he will have the chance to contend immediately. Pelissero mentions the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans as the three teams to watch for McDermott. Although the Titans are in more of a rebuild, they have a young quarterback and a new stadium, and they've been aggressively pursuing some big names for the job. Pelissero thinks it would be more of a long shot to see McDermott go somewhere like Las Vegas or Arizona. In McDermott's nine years in Buffalo, he led the team to the playoffs eight times, but he was never able to get all the way to the Super Bowl.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

January 19, 2026

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero mentions Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb as a potential head-coaching candidate for the Buffalo Bills to replace Sean McDermott, who was fired on Monday. Webb was a backup QB for several seasons in Buffalo and has a really close relationship with current QB Josh Allen. Pelissero mentioned that league sources are getting the sense that Buffalo will hire an offensive-minded head coach. Current head coach Joe Brady will be a candidate to be promoted, but Pelissero is unsure if he is "the" candidate for the job. It wouldn't be a surprise if former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel's name comes up as the Bills search for McDermott's replacement this offseason. Even though Baltimore's and Pittsburgh's head-coaching jobs have yet to be filled, the Bills' opening is now at the top of the list for most attractive head-coaching jobs in the NFL, primarily because of Allen.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

January 19, 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to meet on Tuesday with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores about their head-coaching job, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. In the three years that Flores has been the DC for the Vikings, he has elevated the unit to a top-10 defense. Flores spent the 2022 season as an assistant coach under head coach Mike Tomlin, and he's always been considered a potential replacement for the future Hall of Fame coach. Flores also had a short stint as the head coach for the Miami Dolphins, so he does have previous head-coaching experience, even though it was brief. The respected defensive mind is also a head-coaching candidate for the Baltimore Ravens, while the Washington Commanders interviewed him for their DC job. If Flores doesn't get a head-coaching job this cycle, he'll likely return to Minnesota.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter