http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...est-news-moves
OPEN JOBS
Buffalo Bills: Former offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, the team's interim head coach, is considered a legitimate candidate for the head coaching vacancy, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. "I like Coach Lynn, I really do," running back LeSean McCoy said, per the Buffalo News. "He makes everybody accountable. He's that leader, that type of coach we need. A lot of players like playing for him, (including) myself." Lynn interviewed with the team Thursday. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Monday he's received a request from the Bills to interview offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin. The Bills are interviewing Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott on Wednesday, the team confirmed. Rapoport added that the Bills interviewed Lynn on Thursday. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard is expected to interview with the Bills after Seattle's playoff game on Saturday.
Denver Broncos: Rapoport reported that the team requested to interview Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. They are scheduled to interview Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Rappoport reported per a source. The Broncos have wrapped up their interview with Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub on Friday, Broncos general manager John Elway tweeted. "He's a great coach and person who has a very impressive track record with special teams," he continued.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin interviewed for a potential position within the team last week. Rapoport reported the Jaguars are also expected to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels this weekend. In addition, interim head coach Doug Marrone met with Jags owner Shad Khan over dinner on Dec. 26 and on Thursday to discuss the coaching vacancy, according to Rapoport. One Super Bowl-winning coach has even advised Khan to promote Marrone, Rapoport added. The team interviewed Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin on Jan. 3. On Monday, Rapoport reported the Jaguars are scheduled to interview with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, per a source informed of the situation. The interview should take place on Friday or the weekend, Rapoport added. They are expected to interview Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith on Wednesday, Rapoport reported per a source, adding he's been on their list for a while. The Jaguars are expected to interview Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, Rapoport reported Wednesday.
Los Angeles Rams: Rapoport reported the Rams will interview Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia this week. Rapoport reported that Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is expected to interview with the team this weekend. The Rams interviewed offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin on Thursday. The Rams are scheduled to interview Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Rapoport reported per a source. The Rams interviewed Panthers secondary coach and assistant coach Steve Wilks on Jan. 3. Wilks will be the Rams' first NFL coach interview of this cycle. Rapoport reported the Rams interviewed Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay on Thursday and will also speak to Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn on Saturday. Los Angeles has also requested to interview Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, per Rapoport.
San Diego Chargers: San Diego interviewed Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith on Thursday, the team announced. The Chargers requested to interview Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for their open head coaching position. In addition, San Diego is scheduled to interview Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub on Sunday, per Rapoport. San Diego has also requested to interview Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and will interview Patriots DC Matt Patricia this week, per Rapoport. Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager reports the Chargers have requested to interview Panthers DC Sean McDermott. The Chargers have requested to speak with Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn, Rapoport reported.
San Francisco 49ers: Rapoport reported the 49ers have interest in Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Schrager reported on Good Morning Football that McDaniels will interview with the team this weekend. San Francisco will also interview Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay on Monday, Schrager reported. The Niners are meeting with Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn on Wednesday and have requested to speak with Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Rapoport reported. The 49ers are scheduled to interview Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable, per Rapoport.
The Niners have requested permission to interview Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard for their open general manager job. Packers executive Eliot Wolf and director of college scouting Brian Gutekunst are both scheduled to interview with the 49ers this week, a source told Rapoport. The 49ers also interviewed Vikings assistant general manager George Paton on Friday and Colts VP of football operations Jimmy Raye III this weekend, Rapoport added. Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is scheduled to interview for the 49ers head coach job next week, Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager reported, per sources.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins have requested permission to interview Panthers secondary coach and assistant coach Steve Wilks for their defensive coordinator job, Rapoport reported, per a source.
FIRED
Jeff Fisher, Rams: The Rams stunned the football world on Dec. 12, firing the long-time head coach just a few months after handing him a two-year contract extension. Special teams coordinator John Fassel, the son of former Giants head coach Jim Fassel, was named the team's interim head coach. It's unclear whether Fisher will attract attention on the job market this offseason following another season to forget with the Rams, but he wants "a chance to play the Rams."
Gus Bradley, Jaguars: The Jaguars didn't waste time firing Bradley after their Week 15 loss, giving him the official ax while he was still on the team charter back to Jacksonville. Bradley posted a 14-48 record over three-plus seasons with the team. His .226 win percentage is the worst in the Super Bowl era among coaches with a minimum of 50 games. Bradley is also atop the Redskins' list of defensive coordinator candidates, Garafolo reported Friday. Redskins GM Scot McCloughan knows him from their days in Seattle.
Rex Ryan, Bills: Two days after an embarrassing Week 16 overtime loss to the Dolphins, the Bills parted ways with Ryan, who failed in an attempt to pull Buffalo back into the postseason. It remains to be seen if Ryan will get much attention in the head coaching market following a pair of subpar seasons with the Bills.
Mike McCoy, Chargers: The team fired McCoy on Sunday night. McCoy told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he plans to be coaching in 2017.
Chip Kelly, 49ers: The 49ers announced late Sunday evening they fired Kelly, with team owner Jed York writing in a statement: "Chip has my gratitude for the job he did this year, navigating the team through some adverse circumstances. I look forward to watching his career continue to unfold, and wish him and Jill great success in life."
The 49ers also officially announced the firing of general manager Trent Baalke.
Joe Berry, Redskins: The Redskins announced Thursday they fired the defensive coordinator. This was not a surprise, given comments from the players, Rapoport stated.
RETIRING
Gary Kubiak, Broncos: On Monday, Kubiak announced he is retiring from coaching, saying "the demands of the job are no longer a fit for me." He said at his press conference he will eventually find something else to do. Rapoport reported Sunday that Kubiak had informed the team of his plans to retire. Kubiak suffered from a complex migraine condition this season, which required hospitalization. He also suffered a miniature stroke back in 2013 as the head coach of the Houston Texans. His health is likely at the forefront of this move.
UP IN THE AIR
Bill O'Brien, Houston Texans: It's possible O'Brien could be coaching his final game with the Texans on Saturday if they are eliminated against Oakland in the Divisional Round, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on Monday on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. He added there is a chance that O'Brien and the Texans can mutually part ways.
APPEAR TO BE SAFE
Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals: Lewis told SiriusXM NFL Radio and the Cincinnati Enquirer that he's not retiring and will be back. Those who know him well say he would not say that unless given assurances he'd be returning in 2017, regardless, Rapoport reported. Expect Lewis back with limited changes. Given the sustained success he's had, the string of playoff appearances snapped this year, the culture he's brought, this shouldn't be a surprise.
Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals: Arians has been adamant that he will not be stepping aside this offseason for health-related reasons. "I'll be back," he said. "I ain't going nowhere." OK, then. Arians has said he wants to go out on top and simply doesn't feel like ending his career in 2016 is the way to go. In addition, he's intensely loyal to his staff and wants to stay for them, Rapoport reported.
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints: Payton quashed rumors on Monday that he was considering the Rams' coaching vacancy, saying, "My plan is to definitely to be back here. ... I have four years left on my contract and I plan on honoring that." His response comes after multiple sources told Rapoport the L.A. gig is one Payton is monitoring with sincere interest.
SAFE
Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions: The Lions announced on Twitter that Caldwell's job in Detroit is safe after he helped lead them to the playoffs this season. He is 27-21 in three seasons with the Lions.
Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts: Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson will return to the team in 2017, a source informed of the situation told Rapoport. Pagano said Monday he had no reason to doubt he won't be back. Colts owner Jim Irsay hasn't publicly stated if Pagano and Grigson will return, but he told Rapoport in December he wasn't anticipating any "wholesale changes" with the team.
John Fox, Chicago Bears: Despite the team's struggles, Fox will have the opportunity to make his mark in 2017. Fox later announced that both his offensive coordinator (Dowell Loggains) and defensive coordinator (Vic Fangio) will be retained for the 2017 season.
Todd Bowles, New York Jets: Following their Week 17 victory over the Bills, a Jets spokesman confirmed that Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan will return. However, the Jets announced offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's retirement on Tuesday and said five other coaches would not be retained: QBs coach Kevin Patullo, RBs coach Marcel Shipp, DL coach Pepper Johnson, OLBs coach Mark Collins and DBs coach Joe Danna.
Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns: The Browns still believe in Jackson, even after a one-win season. Owner Jimmy Haslam still believes in the analytical-based approach of their higher-ups. But the Browns are said to be searching for a little more scouting muscle. The expectation is for Cleveland to hire a top scout, likely right below executive vice president Sashi Brown, to serve as the main football voice and be charged with finding the kind of players Jackson covets. "I think we have the right people in place," Haslam said in an interview after Week 17's overtime loss to the Steelers. "I could not be more pleased with the job that Hue and his staff are doing. You wouldn't think this was a team that was 1-14 that was out there battling. ... So really pleased with Hue and really pleased with our personnel group."
Marty Mornhinweg, Baltimore Ravens: Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Tuesday that Mornhinweg will remain his offensive coordinator. Harbaugh added Dean Pees and Jerry Rosburg will remain his defensive and special teams coordinators as well.