Friday, Jan. 13
McVay Will Return for 2023
Coach Sean McVay informed the Rams he will return for the 2023 season despite rumors he was considering retirement, the team announced.
“I think what I liked to do is be able to take the appropriate time,” McVay said Monday when asked about his future. “Never gone through anything like this, but you want to make sure that you’re considerate of the people that are affected. That’s the most important thing and that’s probably, you know, you want to be able to … the consistent conversations and dialogues that have existed with the people that I love and really care about, ‘Hey do what you think is best for you and (McVay’s wife) Veronika (Khomyn).’
Previous reporting indicated McVay was unsure of his coaching future following Los Angeles’ Week 18 loss to the Seahawks, which ended his first losing season as their coach. It was reported on Tuesday McVay was allowing his staff to interview with other teams without interference in case he decided to retire.
McVay would’ve likely had an opportunity to walk away from the Rams and pursue a career in broadcasting, but clearly, he’s not ready to step away yet.
Texans Complete Steichen, Johnson Interviews
The Texans completed head coaching interviews with Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the team announced.
Steichen is in his second season as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, and he’s credited with helping develop quarterback Jalen Hurts. Former NFL executive and The 33rd Team analyst Joe Banner worked with Steichen when he was a quality-control coach in Cleveland. Banner is impressed with what he’s heard about Steichen.
“Now, after watching what he’s done with the Eagles and talking to people within the organization, I’ve become more optimistic that the young man I first saw in Cleveland has evolved in terms of leadership skills and confidence,” Banner wrote in a column on Friday. “I have a high opinion of him, as I did before, but that feeling has only expanded as I’ve seen him do more and more in Philadelphia.”
Johnson led one of the most exciting and improbably successful offenses of the 2022 season, helping the Lions achieve their first winning season since 2017. Detroit finished fifth in the league in points per game up from their 25th overall finish in 2021.
Johnson also has the coveted former-quarterback background as he spent four seasons quarterbacking the University of North Carolina. Since then, he’s coached in multiple offensive roles, including quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Dolphins and tight ends coach for the Lions.
Colts Interview Raheem Morris
The Colts completed their head coaching interview with Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, the team announced.
Morris is the fourth candidate to interview with the Colts, joining Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and their own special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone.
Morris is the most seasoned among those three potential coaching candidates, as the 46-year-old has previous head coaching experience from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11. Across his three seasons as the head coach in Tampa Bay, Morris accumulated a 17-31 record. The Hofstra University alumnus has coaching experience on both sides of the ball and had coaching stops with Atlanta and Washington between his time with Tampa Bay and Los Angeles.
Morris’ defense ranked No. 21 in the NFL in scoring this season, one year after ranking No. 9 and helping the team to a Super Bowl win.
Cardinals Request to Interview Flores
The Cardinals requested permission to interview Steelers senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores for their open head coaching position, NFL Media reported.
Flores joined the Steelers staff in 2022 after coaching the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021. He has also received interest from several teams to be a defensive coordinator candidate, including AFC North division rivals the Cleveland Browns.
Flores was with the Patriots as a defensive assistant when Adrian Wilson, who is a candidate for the Cardinals general manager spot, was with the team for the 2013 season. It was reported Wilson loved Flores’ football IQ and ability to coach multiple positions with command during his time with him.
Commanders Reach Out to Caldwell
The Commanders reached out to former Colts and Lions coach Jim Caldwell on Friday to gauge his interest in interviewing for their offensive coordinator position. Caldwell told the team he is only interested in head coaching opportunities at this time, NFL Media reported.
In an interview with The 33rd Team in December, Caldwell said he wants to be a head coach again, but he acknowledged this might be his last cycle to do so.
“Obviously, I think teams are looking at a different sort of profile at this point,” Caldwell said. “They’re looking for younger guys for the most part. But there’s been enough failures with guys that have no experience in the NFL that perhaps there’s some team owner who’s looking for a guy that’s had some experience and background and knows how to build a team…”
Caldwell was last in the NFL for the 2019 season when he was with the Miami Dolphins as their quarterbacks’ coach. During his tenure as the Lions’ coach from 2014 through 2017, Caldwell accumulated a 38-28 record, and he worked his way to a 26-22 record as the Colts’ coach from 2009 through 2011 including making an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV.
