January 26, 2026
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady was in Las Vegas on Sunday for a second head-coaching interview with the Raiders, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Brady interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons before they went with other options, and he's still in play for the head-coaching jobs with the Bills and Arizona Cardinals. In addition to Brady, the other finalists to take over for Pete Carroll in Vegas are Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach
Davis Webb, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. The Raiders are fully expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, so they will most likely go with an offensive-minded head coach.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 26, 2026
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. He is one of five players from the College Football Playoff National Championship Game to submit written notice to the NFL informing them of his intention to forgo his collegiate eligibility. Cooper spent four seasons with the Hoosiers, collecting 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns in 42 career games. He had a breakout final season in Bloomington while catching passes from Fernando Mendoza, tallying 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added three carries for 73 yards and a touchdown as a runner. The Indianapolis native is currently projected as a third-round pick in April, making him an intriguing later-round option in dynasty rookie drafts.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
January 26, 2026
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is still in the running for the Las Vegas Raiders' head-coaching job, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. If McDaniel doesn't land another head-coaching job this cycle, he's expected to be the Los Angeles Chargers' new offensive coordinator to replace Greg Roman, who was fired after the 2025 season. McDaniel pulled out of the head-coaching searches for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills, but he's still in play in Vegas. The favorites for the Raiders' head-coaching job right now might be Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach
Davis Webb. The most likely scenario for McDaniel is that he heads to L.A. to run their offense next season. With the Raiders expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, they are looking for an offensive-minded head coach.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 26, 2026
The New York Giants hired former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson as their new defensive coordinator on Sunday, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Wilson was the Titans' defensive coordinator for the last few years after previously working under John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens as their defensive backs coach in 2023. Tennessee's defenses were nothing special in terms of points allowed in Wilson's two years running the unit, and he'll now head to New York and a Giants team that has much more talent on that side of the ball. In addition to Wilson, the G-Men are expected to hire former Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton for the same role on Harbaugh's staff. Wilson and Horton are the first coordinators hired by Harbaugh in his new position after 18 seasons in Baltimore.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
January 26, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson took on a workhorse role in his team's AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, recording 71 rushing yards on 25 carries. While Stevenson averaged a highly inefficient 2.8 yards per touch for the game, he was still a crucial piece in helping New England game-manage its way to a victory in snowy conditions in Denver. The Patriots finished the game with just 206 yards of total offense, so Stevenson accounted for over a third of his team's output. Stevenson also appears to have completely taken over the lead role in New England's backfield from rookie back
TreVeyon Henderson. After playing over 60% of the Patriots' offensive snaps in each of their first two postseason games, Stevenson played 94% of the team's snaps against Denver. Both New England backs now face a difficult matchup in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who finished the regular season ranked first among NFL defenses in yards per carry allowed (3.7). Still, Stevenson appears better positioned than Henderson to take on a high-volume role and should have his chances for production.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 26, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold had one of the best games of his career in his team's NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams, completing 25 of 36 pass attempts for 346 yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover. The 28-year-old shook off his past demons against the Rams defense, which forced him into six interceptions across two regular-season matchups. Darnold will now have a chance to lead Seattle in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. New England's pass defense has been elite so far this postseason, holding opponents to just 415 total passing yards across three games. However, the Patriots have also been aided by some bad weather and faced backup quarterback
Jarrett Stidham in their AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos. If Darnold plays the way he played in the NFC Championship Game in the Super Bowl, he should have a chance to post another stellar stat line.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 26, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was one of the stars of his team's NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams, recording 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. The 23-year-old bounced back from a relatively disappointing performance in the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers, in which he was held to just three receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown on four targets. In the Super Bowl, Smith-Njigba will face the New England Patriots. New England's pass defense has been completely dominant so far this postseason, allowing a total of 415 passing yards through three games. However, the Patriots have not exactly faced a murderer's row of opposing offenses, including the backup quarterback-led Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Regardless of opponent, Smith-Njigba has been arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL this season and carries elite production upside into the Super Bowl.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 26, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs recorded a team-high five receptions on six targets in the AFC Championship Game, but was held to just 17 receiving yards in a win over the Denver Broncos. In fairness to Diggs, there was very little pass-game success for any player on either team in the snowy conditions in Denver on Sunday. Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye finished the game with just 86 passing yards on 21 attempts. Still, Diggs has had a relatively quiet postseason so far, recording 11 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across three games played. He also played just 47% of New England's offensive snaps against Denver, fewer than fellow Patriots wideouts
Mack Hollins and
Kayshon Boutte. Diggs will face another tough matchup in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0). The veteran wide receiver should get his chances to contribute, but his production ceiling appears to be somewhat limited heading into the Super Bowl.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 26, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye certainly did not have his best game as a passer in his team's AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, completing 10 of 21 pass attempts for 86 yards and taking five sacks. However, the 23-year-old rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts and did not commit a turnover after coughing up five turnovers over New England's first two postseason games. Given the snowy conditions in Denver and the fact that the Broncos' offense was without QB1
Bo Nix (ankle), it made sense for Maye and the Patriots to opt for a more conservative approach. He will likely be forced to take a few more chances in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who have scored a combined 72 points across two games so far this postseason. Seattle finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0), so Maye has a difficult task ahead of him.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 26, 2026
Former NFL quarterback
Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the Buffalo Bills' head coaching search, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Garafolo reports that NFL head coaching "might very well be in (Rivers') future, just not right now." After initially hanging up his cleats at the end of the 2020 season, Rivers came out of retirement at age 44 and finished the 2025 season as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. He has coached high school football, but has no coaching experience at the NFL level. Buffalo moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott after the team's recent AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. McDermott went 98-50 in the regular season across nine years as the head man in Buffalo and led the team to seven consecutive double-digit win seasons from 2019 through 2025. However, Buffalo has not yet broken through past the AFC Championship Game since the emergence of star quarterback
Josh Allen. A clear favorite to replace McDermott has yet to emerge, but the Bills appear to be casting a wide net in their search.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
January 25, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (chest) returned to Sunday's NFC Championship game during the fourth quarter. He had exited in the third quarter and was initially listed as questionable before being cleared to re-enter. Even though he climbed further up the depth chart with
Tutu Atwell (coach's decision) inactive, Whittington had not been targeted prior to his departure. However, he did contribute on special teams with five kick returns for a total of 116 yards. On offense, he and
Konata Mumpfield will occupy depth roles behind
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Kobie Turner (cramps) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's NFC Championship against the Seattle Seahawks. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, Turner had two tackles and two quarterback hits. The 26-year-old amassed seven sacks and one fumble recovery through 17 regular-season games, and he continued to establish himself as a top weapon on defense. As a result, his departure from Sunday's game could be pivotal as the Rams look to mount a fourth-quarter comeback against Seattle. As long as Turner is on the sideline, Tyler Davis will earn more snaps on defense.
--Andersen PickardSource: Los Angeles Rams
January 25, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (chest) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's NFC Championship against the Seattle Seahawks. He is officially listed as questionable to return. He had not been targeted at the time of his departure, but he was third on the depth chart with
Tutu Atwell (coach's decision) inactive for the second week in a row. Most of Los Angeles' passing game funnels through
Puka Nacua,
Davante Adams, and
Colby Parkinson, so Whittington's exit doesn't have enormous implications for the Rams. Nevertheless, with Atwell inactive, Los Angeles could use all the wide receiver depth it can get. As long as Whittington remains on the sideline,
Konata Mumpfield should operate as the No. 3 receiver behind Nacua and Adams.
--Andersen PickardSource: Los Angeles Rams
January 25, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Tutu Atwell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship. Atwell is a healthy scratch for the second game in a row after he did not appear on the Rams' injury report all week long. The 26-year-old had an underwhelming regular season and also dealt with a six-week injury absence. He finished the year with six catches, 192 yards, and one touchdown, and he was not targeted in the Rams' Wild Card win over Carolina. In his absence last week,
Jordan Whittington and
Konata Mumpfield both stepped up with two catches apiece. With Atwell inactive again, we expect Whittington and Mumpfield to continue to handle increased involvement behind
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Grosbard
January 25, 2026
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end
Elijah Arroyo (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle activated Arroyo from injured reserve on Saturday, and the fact that he didn't have an injury designation seemed to indicate that he would play. In the end, though, he'll be a healthy scratch as the Seahawks look to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. Arroyo was held to a modest 15 catches and 179 yards during the regular season, and it's been more than a month since he last played in an NFL game, so his absence on Sunday is not necessarily surprising.
AJ Barner will continue to lead the tight end room against the Rams, while
Eric Saubert and
Nick Kallerup round out the depth chart.
--Andersen PickardSource: Seahawks PR
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