12 January 2026
Zappe has the roster-joining ability of a young Tim Boyle. The Jets will hope to never have to go to Plan Zappe in a real game, though until they solve the position we guess we’re at “anything is possible.”12 January 2026
So have the Raiders. The McVay assistant coaching tree continues to be well-plumbed. Scheelhaase stayed put this year after nearly signing on as Jaguars offensive coordinator in 2025 silly season. It’s possible that he leaps to an offensive coordinator gig this year, but the fact that he’s already drawing head-coaching interviews shows his name is on the rise. The Ravens have a crowded board right now, about 10-15 candidates deep, and the Raiders have requested just six names.12 January 2026
They’re joined by the Cardinals and Raiders, adding to the initial two names of the Titans and Dolphins from over the weekend. Shula’s defense has faded down the stretch, but finished fourth in defensive DVOA during the regular season. It should not be lost on anybody that Shula is doing this despite almost no investment on that side of the ball — the Rams have the lowest defensive payroll in the NFL.12 January 2026
This was actually one of the expected names that surfaced up in the immediate moments after John Harbaugh was fired, so the only surprising thing is that it took this many days for the request to formally be submitted. Minter has interview requests from the Browns and Titans for their head-coaching vacancies as well, and has some time to set up those interviews now that the Chargers have been eliminated from the playoffs despite holding Drake Maye’s high-flying show to 16 points.
12 January 2026
That’s the first completed interview for Weaver, who was also requested by the Cardinals and Falcons last week. The 45-year-old Dolphins defensive coordinator mostly has a recent reputation of making something out of nothing as the Dolphins were given little chance on defense last year with a rough secondary and finished 24th in defensive DVOA. Weaver played for the Ravens and also coached them for quite a bit, rising as high as Assistant Head Coach to John Harbaugh before taking the Dolphins ...12 January 2026
McVay added that G Kevin Dotson also has a good chance to return against the Bears. With all four of his tight ends healthy, the Rams’ 13-personnel set will become a more complicated situation to read for fantasy purposes. Ferguson seemed to be coming on late in the season before injuring his hamstring.12 January 2026
That’s the Browns, Falcons, Ravens and Titans with interviews scheduled or completed for McDaniel, who has taken exclusively head-coaching interviews so far. (The Lions have reached out to McDaniel about their offensive coordinator vacancy, but he hasn’t taken the interview as far as we can tell.) McDaniel is probably one of the most valuable 32 head coaches in the league given what he managed to squeeze out of the Dolphins in the Tua Tagovailoa Era, but he doesn’t exactly have widespread ...12 January 2026
The estimated recovery time on the surgery is six months, which would put Tom as likely to be ready for training camp. Tom played 604 snaps and was one of Green Bay’s best offensive linemen, with an 83.5 PFF grade between a couple of major injuries. His status is worth monitoring, but for now we’re assuming he’ll be ready for camp.12 January 2026
They needed the roster spot ahead of tonight’s Wild Card playoff game against the Steelers, as they’re activating S Jaylen Reed from injured reserve. Taylor played just 35 snaps for the Texans in 2025 and has been a moderate disappointment. If the Texans survive the night, it’s possible he’s brought back on the practice squad.12 January 2026
Per Hughes’ report, the loser of the sweepstakes would then land Kevin Stefanski. Not a bad consolation prize. Harbaugh is “No. 1" on the Giants board, per Hughes, which jives with all the reporting we’ve seen so far on the situation. The Falcons have played things closer to the vest as they worked on settling their ridiculously-named “president of football” situation, but appear to be a team to monitor in the Harbaugh sweepstakes as well.12 January 2026
He re-aggravated his scapula injury and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve. The 31-year-old enters free agency having played just 186 snaps this year and 598 the year before. The Rams seem to have an affinity for the corner and will likely keep paying him the veteran minimum if no one else wants to snap him up.12 January 2026
Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL. He plans to be back on the field as early as September. The 26-year-old EDGE told reporters Week 1 is his optimistic target return date, while Week 3 is the more realistic target return date. Either way, Parsons doesn’t anticipate beginning next season on injured reserve, which is a significant development for the Packers.12 January 2026
Gonzalez suffered a concussion in the second half of the Patriots Wild Card game victory over the Chargers on Sunday. The 23-year-old cornerback was having an excellent game with no catches allowed and two pass breakups on five targets in 27 coverage snaps. Gonzalez will have to clear concussion protocol sometime this week to be available for the Divisional matchup against the Texans or Steelers. It would be a big loss for the Patriots defense if his injury lingers.12 January 2026
Patterson operated as the Chargers’ No. 3 running back this season, rushing 41 times for 159 yards and one touchdown, and catching 3-of-4 targets for eight yards. He is a free agent this offseason. Patterson is unlikely to be a late-round fantasy target in 2026, but he could fill in as a rotational player for a team hit hard by injuries.12 January 2026
Stafford is dealing with a sprain on his right index finger. The 37-year-old quarterback suffered the injury early in the win over the Panthers in the Wild Card round. He never came out of the game. The Rams will go as far in these playoffs as Stafford can take them. His finger injury doesn’t appear to be a serious impediment at this point.12 January 2026
12 January 2026
Patterson operated as the Chargers’ No. 3 running back this season, rushing 41 times for 159 yards and one touchdown, and catching 3-of-4 targets for eight yards. He is a free agent this offseason. Patterson is unlikely to be a late-round fantasy target in 2026, but he could fill in as a rotational player for a team hit hard by injuries.12 January 2026
Dissly caught 11-of-15 targets for 97 yards this season. The veteran tight end has one year remaining on his contract, but the team can save $4 million by releasing him while taking only a $1.5 million hit in dead money.12 January 2026
Hampton was evidently just an emergency option for the Chargers this evening. The big-bodied back, drafted 22nd overall by the Chargers, dealt with injuries in both ankles this season. He was sidelined in Weeks 6-13 after fracturing his left ankle in Week 5. He then injured his right ankle late in the season, though it is unclear when exactly it happened. The Chargers rested key starters in Week 18, Hampton among them. He rushed 124 times for 545 yards and four touchdowns, and caught 32-of-34 ta ...12 January 2026
Vidal functioned as the Chargers’ clear-cut lead back against the Patriots this evening. The compact back proved his value this season, playing effectively as a featured starter with Omarion Hampton sidelined by ankle injuries for much of the year. Vidal rushed 155 times for 643 yards and three touchdowns, and caught 16-of-20 targets for 136 yards and one touchdown. It is unclear whether he will offer standalone FLEX value in 2026, but he has proven himself as a high-upside bench stash option ...
