UNCrules2187

No, I understand Johnson has been linked to Wilks a possible OC option (Breer reported that a few times I believe). I'm saying if I'm him, why would I make that move? Especially if Steichen gets hired elsewhere as HC, then I'd rather stay in Philly, get a promotion, and work with an MVP caliber QB in Jalen Hurts.

It's great to throw names out, but I'm not quite sure why Brian Johnson would join Wilks rather than someone like Gannon or Steichen who he's worked with for the past few years on the Eagles staff if they land a gig? Or just stay put and get elevated to OC in Philly if Steichen gets hired elsewhere?

We only interviewed 4 guys last go-round and ended up with the worst possible one. You're hoping to not do this sort of thing every 2-3 years. Even if you know you have a top 3-4, it makes sense to get as many different guys into the building as you can and hear diverse perspectives to compare and contrast to what you're hearing from the guy(s) you're leaning towards.

Problem is that OC is probably gone in a year or two - that's why guys like Johnson, Kafka, Steichen, Dorsey are getting looks this go around even though they only have 1-2 years OC experience. Could see Lafleur being an OC on DeMeco Ryans staff, btw.

I had the same thought. Read somewhere however that he wants to stay in the Northeast because he doesn't plan on uprooting his family, so think it's more likely that he would only move out of the Northeast for a HC gig rather than a DC gig (or take the Cleveland DC gig over other DC jobs, if offered).

They could still request an interview. Moore is coaching in the same game and he's been requested.

Realistically, it makes sense. I know if I was an owner of a team playing this weekend I wouldn't want an important member of my coaching staff doing HC interviews rather than prepping for the game and I don't think any of those candidates would want their focus divided between prepping for a HC interview and prepping for a do or die game in a few days.

We cannot interview any of those 3 candidates (Dorsey/Moore/Kafka) this week. This week you can only interview currently employed external candidates virtually if they are not in the playoffs or have a Wild Card bye. Starting next week after the Wild Card round and prior to the divisional games on 1/22, we can conduct in-person or virtual interviews of candidates whose teams played on Wild Card weekend.

Calm down my guy, Johnson went to UNC 20 years ago, it's not like Rhule bringing in guys he had just coached over the past 5-6 years. Breathe, relax, it will be fine.

Yep. In-person interviews with external candidates employed by other teams can’t begin until next week.

I wouldn’t trade Moore, but it’s actually quite easy to trade him right now. Cutting him isn’t feasible which is how you get $35m dead cap hit because you eat the 2023 base salary as well. However, in a trade, while the remaining prorated bonus of $9.75m in 2024 and 2025 would accelerate onto the 2023 cap, his $20.165m of 2023 salary shifts to the new team so we’d actually net a little over $10m in 2023 cap space. But good luck supporting a rookie QB with a mid-round rookie WR, Terrace Marshall, Shi Smith, Ian Thomas, and whatever bargain bin WR you can find in FA with that extra $10m in cap space. That’s why I don’t think it makes sense to trade DJ. He’s on a very reasonable deal for his level of production.

We'll see who's right...Fowler and Graziano think Wilks' candidacy is "losing steam" while Breer thinks Wilks will end up being the hire. I did laugh at him saying "it'll be Wilks or a young offensive guy"...like yeah, no poo, look at the interview list.

Betting odds have Geno and CMC tied at +175 for the award

This is just a random unofficial website award, not anything official?

Realistically speaking I think if the Panthers do decide to trade up, it will only be if one of Young, Stroud, or Levis falls to the 5-6 range. Depending on how the HC hire pans out, I could see the Panthers sending #9, the 49ers 2nd, and probably another future pick (2024 2nd?) if the Seahawks or Lions are content with Geno or Goff and a QB the FO likes is available. I don't think they're going to be willing to trade what it takes to get into the top 3 from #9.

Peter Schrager and Ian Rapoport are reporting that both the Texans and Cardinals have requested permission to interview Sean Payton

Yeah I don't think we need to do anything crazy with regards to the RB position. Hell Foreman was languishing on the bench, didn't get any real burn until week 7 and nearly put up 1,000 yards. Between Foreman, Hubbard, and Blackshear collectively, they put up 1,457 rushing yards (4.5 ypc) and 10 TDs. If you can re-sign Foreman on a cheap shorter-term deal, that's good enough.

My guess is we'll see an interview request for one or more of Ryans, Ejiro Evero (there were rumors of a request being put in this morning but turned out to be false), or Raheem Morris.

Need to interview two external candidates to fulfill the obligations - Wilks doesn't count as an internal candidate. Caldwell is the first, but need one more.

Way too many needs for this roster to burn the 9th overall pick on a TE. Can get 70% of the production of the top TEs not named Kelce or Kittle from a FA vet like Engram, Gesicki, or Hooper. Would rather use the 9th pick on an edge rusher, WR, or take a moon shot on a QB.

Need to add at least one more - an external minority candidate to fulfill Rooney Rule obligations

SNY reporting he has NOT been fired:

Depends on who we want to hire...if it's a coach currently in the playoffs, could go as long as Feb. If it's Wilks or a guy who's not in the playoffs, could happen early next week. We still need to interview one other external minority candidate to satisfy the Rooney Rule as well. For context, Rhule was hired on 1/7/20, 9 days after the end of the 2019 regular season. I don't get the sense Tepper is going to move that fast this time around.

I don't believe Panthers have requested to interview Ryans. Think it's just 8 known candidates at this point.

With regards to the cap, I don't have a problem with doing simple restructures for guys like Moore and Moton. Both have been relatively healthy their entire careers, are still young and productive, and figure to be in the team's plans for at least the next 3 years. Base salary restructures of Moore and Moton alone open up ~$19.5m of cap space.