Latest Rumors, News on Black Monday

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NFL teams once again did not wait until “Black Monday” to take drastic action with their coaching staffs this season.
With Week 18 ending Sunday and the playoff picture complete, four teams already have vacancies at their top positions: the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. History suggests that there are more dismissals to come, with key assistant coaches also likely to be fired at several locations. And it shouldn’t take long for teams to start moving forward on their searches, with interview requests sure to filter through.
Here are all the latest updates on coach firings and moves across the league on Monday:
Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo
A strong finish to the season couldn’t save Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, as Cincinnati let him go on Monday after a 9-8 season that saw the team miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season, according to multiple reports.
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Anarumo’s defense, which improved throughout the season, surrendered 34 points or more in six games – all during the team’s 4–8 start. A late-season revival, even with a depleted secondary, was not enough to convince head coach Zac Taylor and Bengals management to retain Anarumo.
Anarumo was a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching job during the 2023 offseason.
Which NFL teams could make coaching changes on Black Monday?
The solution came quickly for those teams on Monday, with the Jaguars (removing Doug Pederson) and Giants (keeping Brian Daboll).
But a few other organizations are still expected to make their intentions clear: the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy served this season on an expiring contract, although his deal runs through January 14. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has praised McCarthy in recent weeks and the coach said after Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders — which dropped Dallas to 7-10 on the season — that he was interested in remaining with Dallas. Keep.
For the Raiders, head coach Antonio Pierce earned the job based on the reviews he received from players after taking over as interim head coach in 2023. But the Raiders finished 4-13 and would be taken sixth in the NFL Draft.
The Tennessee Titans are expected to retain first-year coach Brian Callahan, and the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts made clear Sunday that Mike McDaniels and Shane Steichen, respectively, will return for 2025. As of Monday morning, there are five openings left – three teams that fired their coaches during the season are looking for new coaches, such as the New England Patriots (who let Jerrod Mayo go after one year) and the Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars fire Doug Pederson after three seasons
Black Monday started with perhaps the most obvious move of the offseason: Jacksonville Jaguars moving on from head coach Doug Pederson.
Before the season, owner Shad Khan claimed that this was Jacksonville’s most talented team since purchasing the organization. But the Jaguars finished 4–13 and third in the disappointing AFC South, and Pederson’s time was over despite a pair of 9–8 campaigns in his first two seasons (leaving them with an overall record of 22–29. ).
Pederson led the team to a division title in his first season in 2022, and led a dramatic comeback win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jags started the next year 8–3, but missed the postseason and Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl, was never able to regain their winning ways.
In a statement, Khan thanked Pederson and indicated that general manager Trent Baalke would remain in that role.
Giants’ Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen safe after disaster season
Only one New York team will be looking for a new coach and GM this offseason.
Giants owner John Mara said in a statement Monday morning that head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will return for the 2025 season.
“As disappointing as the season’s results have been, (co-owner) Steve (Tisch) and I are confident in the process that Joe and Brian have implemented and the vision they have for our team,” Mara said in a statement. Look forward to the future and achieve the results we all want.”
The Giants went 3–14 in 2024, their 100th season in what was supposed to be a celebratory campaign. Instead, the brain trust hired three off-seasons ago faced questions about whether they would lose their jobs.
“Hard Knocks” served as bait to put the GM’s job in jeopardy, capturing an internal conversation between Schoen and Mara about former running back Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and had a historic season. Worked in. The production from the Giants continued to decline. Quarterback Daniel Jones was benched and released at midseason, and the team snapped a 10-game losing streak in Week 17 – the longest in franchise history.
According to NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, the Giants held a team meeting at 8 a.m. ET, followed by a briefing from team officials.
Daboll was Coach of the Year following the 2022 season, which included a surprise playoff appearance and postseason victory. But the Giants went 6-11 last season and after one of the worst years in franchise history, Daboll made his case that better quarterback play — which he’s been mostly deprived of since 2022 — can actually help teams win. Gives a chance to. Now it appears he and Schoen will have a chance to select their franchise quarterback of the future.
What’s going on with Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys? Coach, Jerry Jones addresses uncertain future
The Dallas Cowboys season ended the same way it began: without a firm commitment from Jerry Jones to Mike McCarthy.
After Sunday’s 23-19 loss to the Washington Commander, which ended a 7-10 campaign for Dallas, the owner continued his long-running talk about his head coach, while retaining McCarthy for next season. declined to say anything definite about his job status. ,
“I think Mike is one of the best coaches,” Jones said. “He was made the coach here because I thought so, and he has done nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach.”
McCarthy, who has been under contract since January 14, made it clear that he wants to remain with the organization, despite speculation that he could open another position.
“Absolutely. I’ve invested a lot here and the Cowboys have invested a lot in me,” McCarthy said. “And then there’s also a personal side to all of these decisions. They all point in the right direction. I think whenever You invest your time, your energy, your trust, your connections, the relationships that you have here, understanding what the organization can do and is willing to do. Those are all positive qualities that you take into account.”
Lions win could impact Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn in coaching searches
The Detroit Lions’ victory over the Minnesota Vikings shaped the NFC playoff picture, but it could also have an impact on several teams’ coaching searches.
With the Lions having a bye, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn can now conduct virtual interviews for head-coaching roles starting Wednesday. If Detroit had lost, they would have had to wait an additional week.
Johnson is widely viewed as one of the most sought-after coaching candidates after being removed from consideration during the past two hiring cycles. Glenn has kept the Lions’ defense going despite several injuries, and he has been linked to both the Jets and Saints openings, given his history with each franchise as a former player and assistant coach, respectively.
Next up for the Patriots: Mike Vrabel?
On a day designed to be defined by on-field action, the Patriots turned heads with what they did after completing another trying year.
Robert Kraft fired coach Jerrod Mayo after only one season, which the Patriots called “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.”
With Kraft suddenly making a decision on the coach he hired as Bill Belichick’s successor, USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell sees the Patriots readying themselves for one candidate in particular: Mike Vrabel. The former Tennessee Titans coach – and Patriots Hall of Fame inductee after his stellar playing career – is arguably the most attractive candidate on the market, and he even interviewed with the Jets last Friday.
While the Patriots will still have to follow the Rooney Rule in their interview process, expect Vrabel’s presence to have an impact on the search. And read Bell’s column on why it’s so hard to shake the connection.
Antonio Pierce silent on situation with Raiders after loss
After the Las Vegas Raiders lost to the Los Angeles Chargers in the season finale, Antonio Pierce wasn’t interested in wondering where he stood with the organization.
Asked about his job security, Pierce said, “No comment.”
The Silver and Black continue to keep everyone in the dark about Pierce’s future. Little is known about the team’s plans as owner Mark Davis stated at a league meeting in early December that he was “very disappointed” with this season’s results.
Despite Las Vegas going 4–13, several players, including record-setting rookie tight end Brock Bowers, supported Pierce amid the ongoing uncertainty. It is now up to Davis to clarify whether he wants to bring back a coach he deems suitable to become the full-time head coach after his successful interim stint or start from scratch.
Pederson has hope for Jaguars’ future
Doug Pederson could have the hottest seat of any coach entering Week 18, but the Jacksonville Jaguars leader is still optimistic he’ll get a reprieve.
“I’ll find out this week,” Pederson said after a 26-23 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts dropped the Jaguars to 4-13 on the season. “It’s hard to guess right now. Emotions are running high. Honestly, I hope I’m still here. I think we have the potential to be a good football team. Our core guys need to be healthy. “We have to continue to work hard. I’m optimistic and hopeful that it will happen.”
It appeared that owner Shad Khan had applied pressure before the season by saying that this season’s Jaguars were the best team assembled in franchise history. He gave Pederson a vote of no confidence after a 1–4 start and made no moves after Jacksonville suffered its biggest loss ever with a 52–6 loss to the Detroit Lions.
No changes in Indianapolis as Irsay backs Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard
The exit from the 45–33 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17 led to speculation that the Indianapolis Colts could shake things up by firing coach Shane Steichen and/or general manager Chris Ballard. After the season was completed on Sunday, owner Jim Irsay was quick to confirm that the pair would be staying together for another year.
“I am evaluating our entire operation, and I am focused on Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and our collective ability to make the improvements needed to take us to the next level in 2025,” Irsay wrote in a statement posted on social media. Have faith.” “I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed. That means we all have a lot to prove, so we’ll get back to work and continue to do what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan.
The Colts have not been to the playoffs since the 2020 season and last won the AFC South title in the 2014 campaign. Since then, every other team in the division has claimed the crown at least twice.
Dolphins sticking with Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier
Despite admitting that the Dolphins “did not live up to our expectations this season”, owner Stephen Ross said he would keep coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier in place.
“Their positive working relationship is an asset to the Dolphins, and I believe in the value of stability,” Ross said in a statement Sunday. “However, continuity in leadership should not be confused with acceptance that the status quo is good enough. We will take a serious look at where we have fallen and our ultimate goal of building and maintaining a winning team. “Will make the changes necessary to accomplish something that competes for a championship.”
The Miami Dolphins finished the season at 8–9, their first losing season since 2019.
One of the first offseason tasks for McDaniels and Grier: getting clarity on how to move forward with Tyreek Hill after the five-time All-Pro wide receiver indicated he wanted to leave.