The Chicago Bears will not retain offensive coordinator/interim head coach Thomas Brown and wide receivers coach Chris Beatty after the team hired Ben Johnson to be their next head coach, a league source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Brown interviewed for Chicago's head-coach position and also has interviewed for the Seattle Seahawks' offensive-coordinator vacancy. In addition to Brown and Beatty, offensive-line coach Chris Morgan, quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph and defensive coordinator Eric Washington will not stay in Chicago under Johnson. Brown started the 2024 season as the Bears' passing-game coordinator but became the interim head coach after both offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus were fired. In the last five weeks of the season, the Bears went 1-4 under the 38-year-old Brown.

From RotoBaller

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are not down to the two candidates who will interview for their head-coaching job for the second time this week in former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Jacksonville is still expected to conduct in-person interviews for the head-coaching job with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Bills and Eagles are still in the playoffs, so the Jaguars will have to wait until next week to talk with Brady and Moore. With Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen out of the running for the Jags, Saleh or Brady could be the favorites to take over for Doug Pederson, who was fired after two years at the helm. In addition to the Jaguars, Brady is still a candidate for the head-coach job in New Orleans.

From RotoBaller

According to his wife, Kelly, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (ribs) played through a rib injury late in the season after cracking four of his ribs in Week 15 against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. Stafford aggravated his ribs in the first half of the Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday and admitted after the game that he had been dealing with it "to a varying degree for some time." He said he "was able to kind of calm it down" and "didn't feel like it was much of a factor" against Philly. Despite being less than 100%, Stafford threw for a season-high 324 yards and two touchdowns and almost led the Rams to an improbable coming back win. The 36-year-old acknowledged that he will contemplate his future this offseason. If Stafford comes back for a 17th season in 2025, he'll be a midrange QB2 target in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer reported on Wednesday night that the Dallas Cowboys held a second interview with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for their head-coach opening. Clarence Hill Jr. reported on Thursday morning that the Cowboys could cross the finish line on hiring Schottenheimer as their next head coach no later than Friday, and possibly as early as Thursday. Owner Jerry Jones' previous eight hires were either former head coaches and/or had familiarity with the Cowboys. The 51-year-old Schottenheimer is the son of long-time NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer. He joined Dallas' staff in 2022 as a coaching analyst and has been running their offense the last two years after Kellen Moore left to join the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys have also interviewed Moore, Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier, but Schottenheimer is the clear favorite at this point.

From RotoBaller

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints are planning second interviews for their head-coaching job with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore next week. In addition to Brady and Moore, the Saints are looking at former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for their head-coach position. Even if the Bills and Eagles advance to the Super Bowl, they'd be able to interview with the Saints during an off week next week. New Orleans fired Dennis Allen midway through the 2024 season and finished out the year with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi serving as the interim head coach.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne (knee, finger) was listed as a non-participant for his team's practice on Wednesday. The former first-round pick had been battling through a finger injury he suffered in Washington's Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'd also pick up a knee issue in last Saturday's stunning upset of the Detroit Lions. While the finger ailment caused him to practice in a limited capacity the week prior, this new injury has forced him from practice altogether. Payne has missed just one game in his seven-year career, so we'll see if he can elevate his practice status for Sunday's divisional clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. If he's inactive, look for Jalyn Holmes and Sheldon Day to rotate in behind Jonathan Allen.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity to begin the week ahead of their meeting with the Washington Commanders this Sunday. After just nine snaps, Mitchell was forced from Philadelphia's Divisional win over the Los Angeles Rams and did not return. However, the sentiment regarding his injury appears to be positive, as it was noted that he avoided something serious. It's excellent news for the rookie, who led all Eagles' DBs in snaps during the regular season -- tying for second amongst his cohorts in pass breakups (12). The 23-year-old should be on track to suit up for the Conference Championship round, but if he can't, Isaiah Rodgers would likely fill in again, with Kelee Ringo mixing in behind him.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's team practice. The eighth-year pro spent the early portion of the season dealing with a bicep injury, but the hamstring issue is new for him. However, per Alaina Getzenberg of the team, head coach Sean McDermott has been told that Milano is just dealing with soreness and is unsure whether or not it's a traditional injury at this time. The 30-year-old seemingly sustained the ailment in Buffalo's victory over the Baltimore Ravens, though when it occurred is unclear as he played 51 defensive snaps (86%). For now, it appears Milano won't be in danger of missing this Sunday's bout with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, he'll be one to monitor over the next 48 hours. Teammate Dorian Williams would be in line for more snaps if the veteran could not play.

From RotoBaller

Per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg, the Buffalo Bills have opened the practice window of linebacker Baylon Spector (calf). The 26-year-old picked up a calf injury in the team's Week 16 win over the New England Patriots. It's good news for the Bills, though he was not spotted at Wednesday's practice. Spector appeared in 11 games this season -- registering 40 tackles (22 solo) with one fumble recovered -- racking up the third most snaps of Buffalo's linebackers. We'll see if he can progress enough to suit up for this Sunday's clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Conference Championship round. If he can't, fellow linebacker Dorian Williams will continue to mix in behind Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills WR Amari Cooper said that he is not bothered by his reduced workload in the offense recently and that winning is more important to him.

Fantasy Spin: Cooper has been targeted only four times in two playoff games and has been held to under 50 yards in six of the 10 games since joining the Bills. He may see a few targets against the Kansas City Chiefs but can be avoided in most fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

The Chicago Bears have requested to interview Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for their vacant defensive-coordinator job under new head coach Ben Johnson, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Pleasant was a big reason why the Rams defense excelled with a lot of young players late this season. He joined the Rams in 2023 as a defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator before being promoted to assistant head coach under Sean McVay in 2024. Before coming to L.A., Pleasant spent time working with Johnson with the Detroit Lions in 2021 as their defensive backs coach/pass-game coordinator. He was also an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Although Pleasant has been coaching in the NFL since 2013, he would be a surprise hire in Chicago as the defensive coordinator.

From RotoBaller

According to Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg, Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the favorite to be the Tennessee Titans' pick at No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft if they stick in the spot, according to BetMGM. As of Wednesday, Ward is -115 to be the top selection in the draft after he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. He threw for 4,300 yards and 39 touchdowns in his only season with the Hurricanes. Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is the favorite to go second overall, and he's +625 to go first overall to the Titans. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is expected to go No. 3. Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said on Wednesday that Tennessee won't pass on a "generational talent," and Hunter best fits that description. The Titans took Will Levis in the second round in 2023, but the Titans appear ready to move on after he struggled in 2024.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Texans announced on Wednesday that they signed wide receivers Xavier Johnson and Johnny Johnson III, guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr., cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Gregory Junior, defensive end Solomon Byrd, running backs Jawhar Jordan and J.J. Taylor, defensive tackle Jayden Peevy, quarterback Kedon Slovis and safety Russ Yeast to Reserve/Futures deals. Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency last offseason but was cut before the start of the regular season before latching on with Houston's practice squad in 2024. The 25-year-old Cincinnati native was never elevated to the Texans' active 53-man roster during the regular season and has yet to make his debut in the NFL. Johnson will now continue his development in Houston and will hope to make the active roster out of training camp this summer.

From RotoBaller

The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reports that per the Baltimore Ravens' personnel notice on Wednesday, the team re-signed wide receiver Anthony Miller to a Reserve/Futures deal. Miller spent the vast majority of the 2024 campaign in Baltimore on their practice squad and wasn't elevated to the active 53-man roster until Week 16. The 30-year-old former second-round selection by the Chicago Bears in the 2018 NFL draft out of Memphis only ended up playing in two regular-season games for the Ravens and caught his only target for a gain of 16 yards. He was also active for both of the team's playoff games with Zay Flowers (knee) out and caught all four of his targets for 28 yards against the Steelers and Bills. Miller will stick around in Baltimore this offseason and heading into training camp this summer as valuable depth behind Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib, rest) was listed as a non-participant on the team's practice report on Wednesday. Ertz was also listed as a DNP last Tuesday before being limited on Wednesday and full on Thursday. The 34-year-old veteran was active in the Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions last Saturday night and caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and his fourth touchdown in the last four games. As long as he's able to return to practice later this week, Ertz should be on the field this Sunday in Philadelphia for the NFC Championship against the division-rival Eagles. In the most recent meeting against Philly on Dec. 22, Ertz had only one catch on two targets for 12 yards, but in the first meeting on Nov. 14, he caught six of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. Consider him a touchdown-dependent TE play in DFS lineups this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (hip) put in a limited practice in the first session of the week on Wednesday. Zaccheaus had to come out of the Divisional Round win on Saturday against the Detroit Lions briefly with a hip ailment, but he was able to return and finish out the game. The 27-year-old was targeted only once in the upset victory but didn't come down with a catch. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks the next two days, Zaccheaus should be available for Washington as they look to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl by beating the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. Zaccheaus had one catch for 10 yards in the first meeting with the Eagles on Nov. 14, but he went off for five catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets in the second meeting on Dec. 22. He'll be a boom/bust DFS sleeper play at the receiver position this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. While Goedert has consistently found himself on the injury report in recent weeks, the ankle injury is new. Goedert was a huge piece of the Eagles' win over the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. He caught four passes for 56 yards as the lone bright spot of a lackluster Eagles' passing game. Goedert will be necessary as a chain mover against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game. Given the novelty of the injury, Goedert's status will need to be monitored heading into the weekend. He has caught eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown during the Eagles' playoff run. His toughness and run-after-catch ability have been a huge part of the Eagles' success this postseason.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee/rest) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Brown has been consistently receiving rest for several weeks so his limited participation on Wednesday comes as no surprise. Despite the rest, Brown has been quiet throughout the playoffs. In two games played, Brown has only recorded three receptions for 24 yards. The Eagles have consistently ridden running back Saquon Barkley to victory. With the high-powered offense of the Washington Commanders coming to town for the NFC Championship, Brown may be needed to take a larger role in the offense. Brown is absolutely capable of carrying a big load. He recorded 1,079 receiving yards in 13 games this season. That came after recording at least 1,456 yards in each of his first two seasons in Philadelphia. Look for Brown to ramp up his practice participation throughout the week ahead of the NFC Championship on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Wagner was limited in practice last week with an ankle injury and ultimately played in the Divisional Round. As a 13-year veteran, Wagner does not necessarily need practice reps to be able to play. His injury also did not seem to limit him against the Detroit Lions last week as he recorded eight total tackles. The 13-year veteran should be monitored by Commanders fans to see if he records any practice time and is able to enter the weekend without an injury designation. While the Commanders have been excellent during their current playoff run, they will need Wagner in a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and their seemingly unstoppable running game.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent WR Anthony Miller signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday, Jan. 22. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

From TheHuddle