NFC North

After the Los Angeles Rams clinched their spot in the Super Bowl on Sunday, the team's two coordinators could be moving closer to a head coaching job.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings will reportedly hold second interviews with both offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to fill their vacancy at head coach.

Both coaches had their first interview before the Vikings hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the team's general manager last week. 

O'Connell is also reportedly a target for the Jacksonville Jaguars opening, but the team didn't request an interview during the initial period, per Schefter, blocking them from formally speaking to him at this time.

The 36-year-old reportedly already had interviews with the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. The former quarterback was considered a finalist for the Broncos position before the team went with Nathaniel Hackett. 

O'Connell has run the Rams offense the past two years, leading a group that ranked seventh in the league in points scored in 2021. It was a major turnaround with Matthew Stafford at quarterback after the unit finished 22nd in scoring offense a year earlier with Jared Goff under center. 

The San Diego State product also served as offensive coordinator of the Washington Football Team in 2019, but the squad finished dead last in the NFL in points scored and 31st in total yards.

Morris brings experience as a head coach after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons and serving as interim coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. The former defensive back has a 21-38 record overall as a head coach.

The 45-year-old is in his first season with the Rams, leading a defense that finished 15th in points allowed. The unit has forced five turnovers through three playoff games and is now one win away from a championship.

Either candidate could follow in the Sean McVay coaching tree, with Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor and Brandon Staley all getting head coaching jobs after spending time with the Rams.

There will still be plenty of competition for the Vikings vacancy, with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh among those interviewing for the position, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is also in the mix, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 

Minnesota is seeking a fresh start after eight years under Mike Zimmer, finishing 8-9 last season.   

It's looking increasingly like Aaron Rodgers will return to the Green Bay Packers in 2022.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Rodgers remained in Green Bay after the Packers' divisional-round loss to the San Francisco 49ers to discuss the team's future. The front office and coaching staff reportedly left those meetings with "cautious optimism" that Rodgers will return. 

The reigning NFL MVP has been noncommittal about his future in football, with the possibilities of retirement and forcing a trade out of Green Bay lingering. Tensions that nearly led to Rodgers' departure from the Packers last offseason have seemingly dissipated, particularly with general manager Brian Gutekunst.

"I feel like I'm at the place relationally with the Packers—in a really good place, especially with Brian and the way our friendship and trust has grown—where it would be a simple conversation and whatever comes out of the conversation is moving forward," Rodgers said. on The Pat McAfee Show. "There's not going to be a weird standoff, war of silence or anything. Brian and I have had good conversations throughout the year, and when it comes time to make a decision, we'll have a conversation and that'll be that. It won't be a long, drawn-out process."

Rodgers said he plans to make a decision about his future before the March 8 franchise-tag deadline. Davante Adams is set to be a free agent this offseason, and it's almost certain the Packers plan to use their tag to keep him from hitting the open market. However, Rodgers announcing his retirement or asking for a trade could alter those plans.

Green Bay would have no shortage of potential suitors if Rodgers chose to force his way out. The Denver Broncos hired Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their head coach and are arguably a quarterback away from Super Bowl contention. The Pittsburgh Steelers are seeking to replace a retiring Ben Roethlisberger, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be doing the same with Tom Brady if a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington proves true.

Should Rodgers choose to return, the Packers will have to start getting creative with their accounting. Green Bay is projected at $46.4 million over the cap before factoring in any potential tag of Adams.

It appears Jim Harbaugh might be one step closer to returning to the NFL. 

The Minnesota Vikings will reportedly interview the Michigan Wolverines head coach for their vacant head coaching position, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio on Saturday.

Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reported Sunday the "Vikings requested and received permission from Michigan to speak with Harbaugh—standard process for NFL teams—and had an exploratory conversation with him Saturday afternoon to gauge his interest."

Pelissero added, "Nothing further is scheduled, but Harbaugh remains a candidate for the job and it wouldn't be surprising if the Vikings bring him to the facility this week."

The Vikings are searching for a new head coach after firing Mike Zimmer earlier this month. Zimmer had served as the franchise's head coach since 2014, compiling a 72-56-1 record and leading the team to the postseason three times. 

As for Harbaugh, Florio previously reported his interest in returning to the NFL over "unfinished business." At the time, Florio reported Harbaugh is "watching and waiting to see whether a team with a reasonable ownership and general manager situation is interested in giving him an opportunity."

Minnesota recently hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as GM to replace Rick Spielman. In addition to the Vikings, Florio listed the Denver Broncos and New York Giants as potential destinations for the Wolverines head coach. 

Harbaugh served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, compiling a 44-19-1 record. He led the franchise to three straight playoff appearances, including a trip to Super Bowl XLVII following the 2012 campaign. 

However, Harbaugh and the 49ers lost 34-31 to his brother, John Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens. Because of that, it's not hard to see why he would have "unfinished business."

It's been speculated the 58-year-old would be a hot NFL candidate after he led Michigan to a 12-2 record and College Football Playoff appearance. However, it's unclear if the Vikings have him as one of their top choices. 

Minnesota has reportedly shown interest in Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, per various reports (h/t Fan Nation's Will Ragatz). 

The Vikings also showed interest in former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett before he agreed to become head coach of the Denver Broncos.  

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly scheduled to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn about their head coaching vacancy.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday the interview is set to happen at next week's Senior Bowl as the Saints begin to ramp up their efforts to find a replacement for Sean Payton, who stepped down Tuesday.

Glenn, a former NFL cornerback, played for the Saints in 2008. He returned to New Orleans as a defensive backs coach from 2016 through 2020.

The 49-year-old Texas native was a standout corner selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1994 draft after being voted an All-American his final season at Texas A&M.

Glenn earned three Pro Bowl selections, two with the Jets and one with the Houston Texans, during a 15-year playing career that ended after his season with the Saints. He's filled several roles since hanging up his cleats.

He spent a short time as a general manager for the Houston Stallions, an indoor team in the Lone Star Football League, before returning to the NFL as a scout for the New York Jets in 2012.

Glenn shifted to coaching in 2014 as a member of the Cleveland Browns staff. That was followed by his stint as the Saints DBs coach before he took a coordinator job for the first time in Detroit.

The Lions finished 29th in total defense in 2021. While they still ranked near the bottom of the league, they gave up 40 fewer yards per game (379.8 compared to 419.8) than in 2020, when they rated last in the NFL in that category.

After Detroit's season ended, he left the door open to exploring head coaching opportunities but said his focus remained on his current role.

"If it happens, those things happen, man," Glenn told reporters. "But listen, this is a job that I have right now, and I want to be the best I can be at it. And I want to be the best that ever came through Detroit. I want you guys to say that at some point, that he was the best coordinator ever. That's what my goal is."

Other candidates identified by the Saints include their own defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

New Orleans is getting a later start to the search than other teams in the market for a new head coach, but with only three hires confirmed so far, there are still plenty of options as five other organizations look to fill the void as well.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II says former head coach Matt Nagy did not hold a customary exit meeting with him after the 2020 season.

Robinson said on the Cut To It podcast that he waited weeks for a Zoom link for the meeting, but it never came.

https://twitter.com/ChiSportUpdates/status/1487159878099644417

This may not come as a surprise given Robinson's comments over the past couple of weeks. On Keyshawn, JWill and Max earlier this month (h/t Bears Wire), the veteran said his relationship with Nagy changed when he was playing on the franchise tag:

At that point in time, once I was franchise tagged, throughout the course of the year, it just felt a little bit different. As far as my involvement and things like that, from the time last season ended, I think I talked to coach Nagy for the first time in June or July, whatever day mandatory minicamp was, it was June 17th.

That was the first time I had talked to him since the flight after the Saints loss the year prior. Things like that coming into the season were a little unsettling for me, especially with that being my guy since the time I stepped foot in Chicago and us having open communication and things like that. That's kind of the stuff that started early on in the season…

Robinson had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2021. The 28-year-old caught 38 passes for 410 yards and one touchdown in 12 games. 

Robinson is a free agent this offseason. It's unclear if he's interested in returning to Chicago.

The Green Bay Packers have interviewed Los Angeles Chargers tight ends coach Kevin Koger for their offensive coordinator position, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

In addition, Green Bay is expected to speak with Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson.

Packers quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Luke Getsy and offensive line coach and run game coordinator Adam Stenavich are reportedly the team's top internal candidates.

Green Bay is looking for a new OC after Nathaniel Hackett left to become the Denver Broncos' head coach.

This comes amid uncertainty about the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show that "everything is definitely on the table" regarding his future, including retirement, returning to Green Bay or seeking a trade to another team with one year left on his deal.

Rodgers is coming off a likely NFL MVP season in which he completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 37 touchdowns against four interceptions. He led the NFL in quarterback rating (111.9) and QBR (69.3).

The 38-year-old's possible return is clearly the No. 1 factor that would impact the team's offense next year, with a close second being star wideout (and free agent) Davante Adams' decision on where to play in 2022.

As for the candidates at offensive coordinator, the 32-year-old Koger would be making a return to Green Bay after working as its offensive quality control coach from 2019 to 2020.

His resume also includes stints at the college level with Michigan (2013-14) and Tennessee (2015) as a graduate assistant, as well as Eastern Kentucky as the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator (2016-18).

Koger will also interview for the Broncos' opening at OC, per Rapoport.

The 34-year-old Johnson joined the Eagles in 2021 under new head coach Nick Sirianni.

He starred as Utah's quarterback in the mid-2000s, notably leading the 2008 Utes to a 13-0 record.

Johnson later returned to Utah and worked as the quarterbacks coach from 2010 to '13, adding offensive coordinator responsibilities for 2012 and '13.

He subsequently made stops at Mississippi State, Houston and Florida, working as a quarterbacks coach for all three stints and adding OC responsibilities for Houston in 2017 and Florida in 2020.

As for the internal candidates, the 37-year-old Getsy has been serving as the Packers' QB coach since 2019. He added passing-game coordinator responsibilities in 2020.

Getsy also coached at the college level from 2007 to '13 before joining the Packers in 2014 as the offensive quality control coach. Two years later, he became the team's wide receivers coach.

He left to become Mississippi State's offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2018 before rejoining the Packers.

The 38-year-old Stenavich has been in his role since 2019. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Michigan in 2012.

He then became the offensive line coach at Northern Arizona (2014) and San Jose State (2015-16) before making the leap to the NFL as the San Francisco 49ers' assistant offensive line coach (2017-18).

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is consolidating his real estate portfolio. 

Per Mary K. Jacob of the New York Post, Rodgers sold his home in San Diego for $5.13 million late last year.

The house was listed in October, and the sale closed Nov. 29. 

According to Jacob, the house is about 5,800 square feet with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a wine cellar, a movie theater and a game room.

Jacob noted Rodgers appears to still own an oceanfront estate in Malibu, California, that he bought with his then-girlfriend Danica Patrick in 2020.

Per Kelsey Mulvey of Lonny.com, the three-time NFL MVP also had a property in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Rodgers led the Packers to the best record in the NFL during the 2021 regular season (13-4), but their quest for a Super Bowl title ended in the divisional round with a 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.

That loss has led to a lot of questions about Rodgers' future. The 38-year-old has yet to make an announcement about his plans, but he told The Pat McAfee Show (h/t Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co.) that he will "make a decision sooner rather than later."

Rodgers is arguably the favorite to win the MVP award for the second consecutive season. He threw for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns with four interceptions and completed 68.9 percent of his pass attempts in 16 starts.

The Denver Broncos are reportedly hiring Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their next head coach.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Broncos zeroed in on Hackett and offered him the job just hours before he was set for a second interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hackett has been the Packers' offensive coordinator for the last three seasons. Green Bay is set to enter an offseason filled with uncertainty on the offensive side of the ball, with Aaron Rodgers contemplating his future in football and Davante Adams set to be a free agent.

Hackett's departure, while expected, adds another monkey wrench to the Packers' planning for 2022. 

Green Bay's most obvious candidate to replace Hackett—and the overwhelming favorite—is quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. The 37-year-old also interviewed for the Broncos' head-coaching job and has drawn praise from Adams and others for his work in Green Bay. 

Getsy has been an offensive assistant with the Packers seven of the last eight seasons, with only a one-year stop in Mississippi State as offensive coordinator (2018) breaking up his tenure. 

If Matt LaFleur winds up going in a different direction for his next coordinator, Getsy would be a prime candidate to follow Hackett and become his OC in Denver. The Packers head coach indicated he plans to promote from within for the position, leaving offensive line coach/run game coordinator Adam Stenavich as the other top candidate.

Stenavich, 38, is a Wisconsin native who moved into coaching after his playing career ended in 2010. He served as an offensive line coach at Northern Arizona and San Jose State before moving to the NFL as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers and Packers. 

LaFleur's decision may boil down to what type of offense he envisions having in the immediate future. Rodgers returning and the Packers attempting to run it back for a Super Bowl run in 2022 would favor Getsy, who could essentially keep the same system as last season. 

If the feeling in Green Bay is that Rodgers will depart this offseason, Stenavich may be the prudent choice. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are set to return as building blocks of a stellar running game, and installing a ground-and-pound system under Stenavich could ease the transition for Jordan Love. 

The Philadelphia Eagles announced defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was added to the 2022 Pro Bowl roster after the Green Bay Packers' Kenny Clark withdrew because of injury.

Kicking in the door to Vegas!@Jay_MostWanted has been named to his first Pro Bowl after replacing Kenny Clark, who is unable to participate due to injury. pic.twitter.com/Pzr3JMVzuZ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 26, 2022

Hargrave posted career highs in tackles (63) and sacks (7.5) across 16 appearances in 2021, his sixth NFL season and second with the Eagles. It's his first Pro Bowl selection.

The 28-year-old North Carolina native, who also recorded 18 quarterback hits, put together the breakout campaign despite facing double-teams after a strong start to the season.

"It just means you're getting a lot of respect from the other team," Hargrave told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia on Tuesday. "That speaks volumes for what they think about me. I don't let it frustrate me. I just do the best I can to try to beat it."

Fletcher Cox, a six-time Pro Bowler who lined up alongside Hargrave, provided a simple reason for his teammate's strong year.

"He worked his butt off," Cox told Zangaro.

Hargrave was a third-round pick of the in-state rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2016 draft. He signed a three-year, $39 million contract, which runs through next season, with the Eagles in 2020.

He joins the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald and the Washington Football Team's Jonathan Allen as the defensive tackles from the NFC.

Meanwhile, Clark played in Saturday's playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers and wasn't listed on the injury report prior to the game. He dealt with a back injury earlier in the season.

The two-time Pro Bowler tallied 48 tackles, 14 quarterback hits and four sacks in 2021.

The Minnesota Vikings hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to replace Rick Spielman as general manager on Wednesday.

Adofo-Mensah noted he was "extremely thankful" for the opportunity in a statement:

I am extremely thankful to the Wilf family and the Vikings organization for giving me the opportunity to lead our football operations and join this respected franchise. There is so much to appreciate about this organization - an existing nucleus of talent on the roster, top-notch facilities, passionate fans and smart people throughout the building who are committed to winning. I look forward to partnering with our next head coach and our entire football operations staff to begin our work of bringing a Super Bowl to Vikings fans.

Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the news.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported Adofo-Mensah will agree to a four-year, $12 million contract.

The Vikings fired Spielman at the end of the 2021 season after the team finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. They also fired head coach Mike Zimmer but have yet to hire his replacement as they focused on a general manager first.

Spielman joined the Vikings in 2006 and took over as general manager in 2012. He was reportedly under contract through the 2023 season. Minnesota went 87-72 during his tenure.

The 59-year-old was credited with drafting Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson. However, he also missed on players like Laquon Treadwell, Mike Hughes and Kellen Mond.

The Vikings have several players who could help them compete for a Super Bowl title, including Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook. However, there are questions about whether quarterback Kirk Cousins can lead Minnesota to the promised land.

Regardless, with a change at GM and head coach, the Vikings are looking to get back on track, and Adofo-Mensah should be a good fit.

Adofo-Mensah is a former college basketball player who worked on Wall Street before getting his first job in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. The 40-year-old most recently served as the Browns vice president of football operations under Andrew Berry.

Adofo-Mensah has a degree in economics from Princeton and a master's from Stanford, in addition to an impressive NFL resume. He interviewed for the Carolina Panthers' GM position last year and is respected around the league.

The Vikings haven't had a winning season since 2019, but Adofo-Mensah will aim to help them reach their potential.

Minnesota has not featured in a Super Bowl since 1976, and it will have to take a big step forward under its new general manager to return in the near future.