Sports
NFL coaching grades: Report cards for every offensive, defensive coordinator hire
The coaching carousel this offseason has been the most entertaining merry-go-round of NFL drama in years. The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Buffalo Bills parted ways with Sean McDermott following their divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos.
With new head coaches come new staffs, and sometimes the coordinator hires can be just as important as the top job. Just look at what happened with the Detroit Lions last year. Some of these assistants will be called upon to lead their side of the ball, like Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings‘ defense or Klint Kubiak with the Seattle Seahawks‘ offense.
There has been plenty of coordinator turnover over the past few weeks. Below, CBS Sports writers Jordan Dajani and Bryan DeArdo attempt to grade every coordinator hire from around the NFL.
Remaining openings
Offensive coordinator (8): Cardinals, Bears, Raiders, Rams, Giants, Jets, Steelers, Seahawks
Defensive coordinator (3): Cardinals, Browns, Raiders
Offensive coordinator: Tommy Rees
Grade: C
Dajani: The Atlanta Browns? Kevin Stefanski isn’t exploring other offensive coordinator options, as he’s bringing his OC with him to the Falcons. The former Notre Dame quarterback spent the past two years in Cleveland, working as a pass-game specialist and tight ends coach before earning a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2025.
Stefanski handed off play-calling duties to Rees in the middle of last season, as Cleveland again struggled to find consistency at quarterback. Ultimately, the Browns finished third-worst in total offense (262.1 yards per game) and second-worst in scoring (16.4 points per game).
Browns fans probably weren’t too sad to lose Rees. Was the problem in Cleveland the coaching staff and play-calling? Or the personnel? We’ll find out soon enough.
Offensive coordinator: Declan Doyle
Grade: B
DeArdo: Doyle, 29, was born the same year as the Ravens’ inaugural season. Despite his youth, Doyle has already made three prior NFL coaching stops, including spending the 2025 season as the Bears’ offensive coordinator. Before that, he spent four seasons as an offensive assistant in New Orleans before following Sean Payton to Denver, where he served as the Broncos’ tight ends coach for two seasons.
While he has already held the offensive coordinator title, the Baltimore position could be considered a promotion, as he will call plays for the first time (Ben Johnson calls the offensive plays in Chicago). That means the Ravens will have a defensive-minded, first-time head coach in Jesse Minter — who recently said he will call the plays on defense — paired with a first-time play-caller on offense.
Defensive coordinator: Anthony Weaver
Grade: A+
DeArdo: Baltimore hit a home run by hiring Weaver, whom many considered the best available defensive coordinator during this coaching cycle. The move looks even more impressive given how late it came in the process. The Ravens deserve extra credit for staying patient and waiting to see if Weaver would be available after he interviewed to become the Steelers’ next head coach.
From a historical standpoint, the 2000 Ravens’ legendary defense had Marvin Lewis as its coordinator, and he enjoyed a highly successful career before becoming a head coach. Weaver — a former Ravens pass rusher who played alongside Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs — appears cut from the same cloth.
Weaver got into coaching shortly after his playing career ended. He has enjoyed a lengthy run as a defensive line coach, including three seasons on John Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore. In Miami, Weaver led a Dolphins defense that ranked 10th in scoring in 2024. This past season, he got incredible production from linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, along with pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Offensive coordinator: Pete Carmichael Jr.
Grade: A-
DeArdo: Carmichael makes perfect sense for the Bills and first-time head coach Joe Brady, who will continue to serve as Buffalo’s offensive play-caller. In Carmichael, Brady is getting an experienced coach who worked closely with Drew Brees for 19 of his 20 seasons with the Chargers and Saints. Carmichael won a Super Bowl in 2009 as the Saints’ offensive coordinator. Quarterback aside, Carmichael has been part of several successful rushing attacks featuring Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, Mark Ingram, and Alvin Kamara.
For the past two years, Carmichael served as a senior offensive assistant in Denver while helping mentor Bo Nix. He’ll now get the chance to work with Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP who continues to chase that elusive Super Bowl berth.
Defensive coordinator: Jim Leonhard
Grade: A-
Dajani: Sometimes big things come in small packages. That was true for Jim Leonhard the player, and it may be true for Jim Leonhard the coach. The Bills were the first NFL team to recognize him as a legitimate player, and now he returns to lead their defense.
The 43-year-old has worked his way up from Wisconsin’s defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator of the Bills. The Chargers and Ravens pursued him, but he chose to join Joe Brady’s staff. Leonhard spent the past two seasons with the Broncos.
As the defensive backs coach in 2024, he helped cornerback Patrick Surtain II win Defensive Player of the Year. As the pass game coordinator in 2025, his Broncos unit ranked No. 2 in opponent completion percentage (57.8%) and No. 7 in passing yards allowed per game (187.2). Leonhard isn’t an experienced play-caller, but he has clearly earned this opportunity.
Offensive coordinator: Travis Switzer
Grade: C
Dajani: Todd Monken is bringing in the former Ravens run game coordinator to work with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. The 33-year-old Switzer is a first-time offensive coordinator but has ties to Ohio as a former offensive lineman with the Akron Zips.
He has never coached for another organization, so it’s tough to make heads or tails of this addition. Ideally, Monken will call plays and oversee the passing attack while Switzer oversees what happens on the ground.
Defensive coordinator: Christian Parker
Grade: B
DeArdo: If you take Cooper DeJean’s word for it, the Cowboys found a gem in the 34-year-old Parker, who helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl as part of veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s staff. The fact that Dallas is prying a rising coach away from a division rival only makes the move look even better.
Parker has a diverse background, having already served on coaching staffs in Philadelphia, Denver and Green Bay. He cut his teeth as a quality control coach before rising to defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator.
Parker may blossom into the NFL’s next elite coordinator, but the Cowboys are taking a risk, especially with head coach Brian Schottenheimer being an offensive-minded leader. That said, it’s a risk worth taking for a franchise desperate to reach its first conference title game since 1995.
Offensive coordinator: Davis Webb
Grade: A-
Dajani:
Not shocking to anyone, but the Broncos are promoting former passing game coordinator Davis Webb to offensive coordinator, replacing Joe Lombardi. It’s a win in the sense that Webb was a popular name this cycle when it came to other openings around the league.
While he’s only 31, Webb figures to be a legitimate head-coaching candidate in the next hiring cycle, especially if he takes play-calling duties away from Sean Payton, something that could reportedly happen.
The former quarterback has been coaching for just three seasons but has experienced a meteoric rise. Webb also has a good relationship with Bo Nix, so this is a nice move for Denver.
Offensive coordinator: Drew Petzing
Grade: C+
DeArdo: This is definitely an under-the-radar hire for the Lions, but Petzing may have been the best available offensive coordinator who wasn’t in the mix for a head-coaching job.
While he’s only 36, Petzing has 16 years of coaching experience, including 12 in the NFL. He spent five years with the Vikings before working three seasons on Kevin Stefanski’s staff in Cleveland. Petzing served as Kyler Murray’s quarterbacks coach in 2022 before being named the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in 2023.
Late in the 2023 season, Petzing’s offense spearheaded Arizona’s upset win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, a game that included 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns from James Conner. Injuries to Conner and Murray played a major role in Petzing’s offense never reaching its full potential. He’ll now get a fresh start in Detroit with an offense that isn’t short on skill players.
Defensive coordinator: Jonathan Gannon
Grade: A-
Dajani: The social media reaction to this hiring was puzzling. Packers fans know Gannon is being hired as a defensive coordinator, not a head coach, right?
The Cardinals fired Gannon after he went 15-36 over three seasons, but he was widely regarded as one of the league’s best coordinators during his time with the Eagles. During Philadelphia’s run to Super Bowl LVII, the defense ranked in the top eight in points allowed per game, total yards allowed per game and sacks with Gannon calling plays.
This could be a nice fit for Micah Parsons. Maybe Gannon wasn’t the best lead man, but he’s an experienced defensive mind who has held this role before.
Offensive coordinator: Eric Bieniemy
Grade: B-
DeArdo: Like an old sitcom trying to relive its glory days, the Chiefs are clearly hoping Bieniemy can help them get back to what they once were.
From a familiarity standpoint, this makes a ton of sense. While his tough love coaching style isn’t for everyone, Bieniemy clearly has a strong working relationship with Patrick Mahomes, and that’s a big deal. If Bieniemy can help Mahomes return to MVP form, that’s what matters most.
That said, a coach is only as good as his players. Travis Kelce will be 37 next season, and Mahomes will be 31. Kansas City also doesn’t have anyone who can replicate what Tyreek Hill gave them during their first Super Bowl run. In short, Bieniemy will have to adjust to what the Chiefs are now, not what they used to be.
Offensive coordinator: Mike McDaniel
Grade: A+
Dajani: Mike McDaniel was the belle of the ball in this year’s offensive coordinator cycle. Say what you want about McDaniel as a lead man, but he could be one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL right away for the Chargers.
In 2023, he used Tua Tagovailoa to power the league’s No. 1 offense, as Miami averaged 401.3 total yards per game. Yes, that production eventually fell off, but the way McDaniel schemed up touches for his running backs really stood out. Remember when Raheem Mostert led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns at 31 years old?
And we all know the speedy De’Von Achane is one of the league’s best weapons. His 5.62 yards per carry are the second-most by a running back in NFL history. Whether running the ball or throwing it, McDaniel knows how to create explosive plays. In fact, he’s registered the seventh-most team yards per play (5.78) among head coaches in the Super Bowl era.
Imagine what he’s going to be able to do with Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton.
Defensive coordinator: Chris O’Leary
Grade: A-
DeArdo: Another exceptional hire for Jim Harbaugh, who brings O’Leary back to Los Angeles after he spent the 2025 season turning Western Michigan’s defense into one of the nation’s best units.
O’Leary, who spent the 2024 season as the Chargers’ safeties coach, presided over a Western Michigan defense that finished ninth in the FBS in scoring (17.4 points per game) and 19th in total net yards allowed per game (305.5). That success helped the Broncos go 10-4 en route to the program’s fourth conference title.
The 34-year-old O’Leary also had a successful six-year run at Notre Dame prior to coming to Los Angeles in 2024. That season, the Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense after allowing opponents to score on just 45% of their trips inside L.A.’s 20-yard line. Under O’Leary’s watch, Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod and second All-Pro selection.
Offensive coordinator: Bobby Slowik
Grade: A-
Dajani: Slowik deserves another chance after his stint with the Houston Texans. You’ll remember he helped C.J. Stroud win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, as the No. 2 overall pick posted the highest TD-to-INT ratio against winning teams in NFL history in his first season, including the playoffs (21-2). Stroud also became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game in NFL history.
However, Slowik failed to adjust and improve his scheme. The Texans offense ranked 12th in total yards (342.4 per game) and tied for 13th in points per game (22.2) in 2023, but slipped to 22nd in yards (319.7 per game) and 19th in scoring (21.9) in 2024, which led to his firing.
After watching how Stroud has fared over the past two years, it looks like Slowik was the best offensive mind Houston had in the DeMeco Ryans era. After spending last season as the Dolphins’ senior passing game coordinator, Slowik is back leading an offense.
Defensive coordinator: Sean Duggan
Grade: B
DeArdo: As is often the case with head coaches who also handle play-calling duties, Jeff Hafley is bringing in a familiar face who can help manage other facets of the defense. In that vein, hiring Duggan makes sense.
Duggan spent one season as a co-defensive coordinator in college (Boston College in 2023) and has just two years of NFL experience. He served as a Packers defensive assistant in 2024 before the team promoted him to linebackers coach in 2025. Last season, Duggan helped Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie emerge as one of the NFL’s most productive linebacker trios, combining for 338 tackles.
In most situations, this hire wouldn’t make much sense given Duggan’s limited NFL and coordinator experience. But his familiarity with Hafley — along with the fact that play-calling won’t fall on his plate — gives this the potential to be a solid hire.
Defensive coordinator: Dennard Wilson
Grade: B+
Dajani: At face value, hiring the former defensive coordinator of the Titans doesn’t sound great. After all, the Giants’ last defensive coordinator also came from Tennessee, and that didn’t go so well. But Dennard Wilson is highly respected and has a strong connection to John Harbaugh.
Wilson helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII as a passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, relying on Darius Slay, James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. He then went to Baltimore as the Ravens’ defensive backs coach and watched that defense become the first team in NFL history to lead the league in points allowed per game (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31).
Wilson got his first shot as a defensive coordinator with the Titans in 2024, and his unit ranked second in total defense despite a 3-14 record. Tennessee slipped to 21st this past season, but Wilson was applauded for getting the most out of a banged-up group. Now, he lands in New York.
Defensive coordinator: Brian Duker
Grade: C+
DeArdo: This makes sense from a familiarity standpoint, as Duker and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn spent three years together on the Lions’ coaching staff.
Duker has never been a play-caller, so this hire likely indicates that Glenn will handle defensive play-calling for the Jets this season. That will give Duker a chance to manage other responsibilities on that side of the ball without the added burden of calling plays.
It seems Glenn wanted someone he knows and trusts as he takes on his new role as defensive play-caller. If that was the goal, it’s hard to be overly critical of the hire.
Offensive coordinator: Sean Mannion
Grade: B
DeArdo: Mannion, 33, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks after retiring from the NFL less than two years ago. A former NFL quarterback, Mannion spent parts of the 2023 season of the Vikings’ practice squad and served as Jared Goff’s backup when the Rams went to the Super Bowl in 2018.
Upon retiring, Mannion quickly joined the Packers staff as an offensive assistant. He was promoted to quarterbacks coach this past season and helped Jordan Love have arguably his best season since becoming Green Bay’s starting quarterback. He also did a notable job with Malik Willis, who completed a whopping 85.7% of his throws across four games.
Eagles fans should be encouraged with this hire based on what Mannion was able to do during his short time in Green Bay. The fact that Mannion is less than two years from playing himself should give him a unique perspective in terms of calling plays and seeing the game from a quarterback’s viewpoint.
Defensive coordinator: Patrick Graham
Grade: B+
DeArdo: As an offensive-minded coach, it was important for Mike McCarthy to find an experienced defensive coordinator to lead the Steelers’ defense. He was able to do that by hiring the 47-year-old Graham, who has already served as a defensive coordinator for the Dolphins, Giants and Raiders.
During his second year with the Raiders in 2023, Graham helped the unit go from 26th to ninth in the NFL in points allowed. This past season, Las Vegas ranked 10th in the league in passing touchdowns allowed and fourth in average yards per carry allowed.
In Pittsburgh, Graham will preside over a defense that has a good mix of older, proven veterans (Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen) and young players who are still on the rise (Derrick Harmon, Nick Herbig and Joey Porter Jr.).
It’s safe to say — from a personnel standpoint — the 2026 Steelers defense will be Graham’s best unit since he became a defensive coordinator in 2020.
Defensive coordinator: Raheem Morris
Grade: A
Dajani: I’m not sure the Falcons should have fired Raheem Morris this offseason. His team finished 2025 on a four-game winning streak, and the defense ended up in the top half of the league in yards allowed per game. Morris also got the most out of several rookie playmakers.
Pass rusher James Pearce Jr. set a rookie franchise record with 10.5 sacks, while safety Xavier Watts recorded six takeaways — tied for the third most by any player in the NFL this season.
Morris captained a Rams defense that finished top 10 in both yards and points in 2023 before landing the Falcons job, and now he returns to the NFC West. Replacing someone like Robert Saleh won’t be easy, but Morris is a veteran defensive leader capable of running the 49ers on that side of the ball.
Offensive coordinator: Zac Robinson
Grade: B+
DeArdo: This has the potential to be a really good hire for the Buccaneers for several reasons.
Robinson, 39, is familiar with Tampa Bay after facing the Bucs twice a year over the past two seasons as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. Perhaps more importantly, he has extensive knowledge of other defenses in the NFC South.
In Atlanta, Robinson consistently put his best players in positions to succeed. Under his watch, Bijan Robinson became arguably the NFL’s top running back while breaking the Falcons’ single-season total yardage record. Wideout Drake London and Kyle Pitts also enjoyed considerable success in Robinson’s offense.
Consistency at quarterback was one of the biggest things that eluded Robinson during his time in Atlanta. Now, he’ll get a chance to work with Baker Mayfield at a pivotal point in Mayfield’s career.
Offensive coordinator: Brian Daboll
Grade: B+
DeArdo: While his time as the Giants’ head coach was largely disappointing, Daboll does have a strong background as an offensive coordinator, including a proven track record with young quarterbacks.
Daboll worked exceptionally well with Josh Allen during their time together in Buffalo. In two years, Allen went from a struggling starter to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Daboll also got quite a bit out of Daniel Jones in New York. Jones helped lead the Giants to their first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI, and Daboll also maximized the talents of Saquon Barkley before his departure.
Daboll will now get a chance to mentor another young quarterback in Cam Ward, who played well during his rookie season despite less-than-ideal circumstances.
Defensive coordinator: Gus Bradley
Grade: B
Dajani:
Robert Saleh is going to call plays on the defensive side of the ball, but Gus Bradley is an experienced right-hand man for Tennessee’s new head coach. Bradley spent last year as the 49ers’ assistant head coach but has served as the defensive coordinator for three different NFL teams (Chargers, Raiders and Colts) and was the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ head coach for four seasons from 2013-16.
Bradley’s return to the AFC South doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of Tennessee’s rivals, but the Titans now have Saleh as head coach, Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, Bradley as defensive coordinator and John Fassel as special teams coordinator. That’s a pretty solid staff.
Offensive coordinator: David Blough
Grade: C-
Dajani: This is a massive gamble for Dan Quinn. After an incredible 12-5 campaign in 2024, the Commanders finished 5-12 this past season. You can try to blame it on Jayden Daniels missing 10 starts, but he didn’t look like a superstar in the games he did play, winning just two of them.
With Kliff Kingsbury out, Washington moved questionably quickly to promote a 30-year-old former quarterback who has never called plays to lead the offense.
I’m sure Daniels loves Blough, and he absolutely deserves a fair shot. But if he can’t find a way to spark this offense right away, could Quinn lose his job? After watching one-third of the NFL change head coaches, I’m not ruling anything out.
Defensive coordinator: Daronte Jones
Grade: B
Dajani: Daronte Jones is a Maryland native who returns to Washington after spending the past four seasons with the Vikings as their defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. He’s worked with defensive backs at a number of stops, including Nicholls State, UCLA, the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, Hawaii, Wisconsin, the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals. He also had a one-year stint as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2021.
ESPN reported that Jones interviewed with at least five different teams for defensive coordinator openings, but Quinn was able to land him. While he’s not exactly a household name, Jones has worked under Brian Flores, Vance Joseph and Mike Zimmer.
Manchester United defeated Everton (1-0) in their Premier League match in Liverpool. Benjamin Sesko scored again.
This fairytale run to the knockouts will have felt unlikely for Bodo after failing to win their first six league phase games, meaning they were left needing results against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to qualify for the play-offs.
And, against the odds, they provided them.
A 3-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s men brought deserved attention and acclaim, but it was no one-off as Bodo overcame Atleti 2-1 in Madrid to claim a play-off spot.
Knutsen’s side lost to Spurs in the Europa League semi-finals last season, having become the first Norwegian side to reach the last four of a major European competition.
Key to their success has often been their ability to make their home games as tough as possible.
In the north of Norway, Bodo can often be bitterly cold, snowy and windy during the long winter months, with temperatures deep into minus figures.
The difficult weather conditions mean the team play on an artificial pitch made of plastic, something many sides used to playing on grass find difficult to deal with.
Those aspects, coupled with the players’ determination and strong belief in their ability, means many have left Bodo defeated.
They famously thrashed Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 at home in the Europa Conference League five years ago, while Celtic, Besiktas, Porto and Lazio have also been victims in recent years.
Manchester City won’t relish another meeting in the last 16 if they are drawn together, with Bodo buoyant after proving they have nothing to fear against Europe’s top sides.
“It’s amazing,” captain Patrick Berg told Canal+.
“For the club and city it’s unbelievable. I don’t think people thought we could beat Manchester City, Atletico and now Inter two times.
“It’s magnificent.”
Inter signed Ronaldo and Vieri for world-record fees in the late 1990s, when Serie A was the envy of world football, blessed with the game’s most talented stars.
AC Milan then beat Juventus to win the Champions League in 2003, losing to Liverpool on penalties in the final two years later, before defeating the Reds to become European champions again in 2007.
While there have been more recent successes in Europe’s other competitions – Atalanta won the Europa League in 2024, Roma won the Conference League in 2021 – Jose Mourinho’s Inter were the last Italian side to win the Champions League in 2010.
Inter’s European exit comes despite being 10 points clear of rivals AC Milan in Serie A and a further four ahead of defending champions Napoli, who failed to make it out of the Champions League’s league phase.
“It is a piece of history,” said journalist Vincenzo Credendino. “Speaking about Italy and Inter, this is one of the worst pieces.
“Inter are the best in Italy, but maybe it is time to think not about what can happen in one or two years, but about 10 or 15 years – and on that side we can see generally Italian football is not on the same level of top European leagues.”
The national team must also win through a play-off in March to avoid missing out on a third successive World Cup this summer, having last lifted the trophy in 2006.
“It is a difficult time for Italian football and this shows it,” added European football expert Julien Laurens on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Today, Inter Milan put pressure on but it was not enough from them. They have been the best team in Italy for the last few years. And Napoli as well, they haven’t even come close.
“It’s terrible for Italian football at the moment.”
Inter won five of their opening eight league phase games in Europe to finish 10th, with Juventus 13th and Atalanta 15th.
Yet in the play-offs, all have come unstuck against sides who finished lower in the table but play a more intense brand of football.
“What does it say about Italian football? That something needs to be changed,” added Verri.
“The level of Italian football is poor. It is a structural issue. We play very slow football. You can ask any manager in Italy and they will all say the same.
“I was talking to Claudio Ranieri the other day and he said: ‘Look, when I was in England at Leicester… people don’t train more than in Italy. They just do it with another intensity, and then they keep up that intensity during the games.’
“We play slow, and in Europe you suffer.”
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider spoke publicly about their 2026 plans for the first time at the NFL Scouting Combine today.
You can watch his entire 19-minute press conference on seahawks.com. Here’s the link.
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He gave rare in-depth insight into the team’s process for evaluating players and making personnel decisions. Most of the chatter you’ll find on the internet thus far is around him mentioning Kenneth Walker III, but there’s much more interesting quotes on team-building strategy that describes the “why” behind their recent success.
He mentions Walker once, saying he’d love to have him back, Zach Charbonnet once, praising his work ethic, and Sam Darnold by saying he matched up as a better choice for the organization than any college quarterbacks last offseason. But perhaps the most interesting thing Schneider mentions is the single name he refers to twice in the press conference- which isn’t a player at all, but is possibly the single most important person he’ll work with at the Combine each year.
That name is Aaron Hineline, the Seahawks’ Director of College Scouting. There’s less information on scouts than any member of the coaching staff, but they play as vital a role as any in shaping the roster. He’s a Woodinville High School and Central Washington University graduate who’s been with the Seahawks for 20 years, working his way up from intern to assistant director of college scouting before being promoted to his current position in 2023.
While the coaches have been working to win games the entire season, Hineline has headed Seattle’s mission to scout the 1,000s of eligible players for the 2026 NFL Draft, managing the area scouts and collecting intel at a clip fans can only imagine. Despite being relatively unknown to the masses, he’s as good of a person to thank as any for the Seahawks finding gems in the draft, from Grey Zabel to Ty Okada and in between. When thinking of the NFL Combine this week, imagine Hineline as Schneider’s right-hand man as they watch 319 prospects test and interview, knowing more than any media member could dream of.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks’ John Schneider credits crucial Seahawks scout at NFL Combine
Sports
After Rs 50 lakh reward from Bihar CM, 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi flaunts new Rs 22 lakh car | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Fourteen-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to make headlines with his record-breaking performances and growing list of rewards. After a sensational IPL 2025 season, he was gifted a brand-new car for winning the “Striker of the Season” award. The top model of the car costs over Rs 22 lakh in Delhi.
Vaibhav has recently been honoured for his performances at the ICC U19 World Cup, where India became champions. He met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and received Rs 50 lakh as a special reward for his achievements. Meanwhile, the BCCI also announced a Rs 7.50 crore reward for the Indian Under-19 team after they won the 2026 U19 World Cup.In the World Cup final against England, Vaibhav played a match-winning knock of 175 runs off just 80 balls, helping India win their sixth U-19 World Cup title. Watch Sooryavanshi receiving the car: He hit 15 fours and 15 sixes and reached his century in just 55 balls, one of the fastest in tournament history. He finished the tournament with 439 runs and was named Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Tournament.He first grabbed global attention in IPL 2025 when he smashed a 35-ball century, the fastest by an Indian and the second-fastest in IPL history. He also became the youngest centurion and debutant in IPL history. Rajasthan Royals signed him for Rs 1.1 crore, making him the youngest player ever bought in the league.Vaibhav is already India’s leading U-19 ODI run-scorer and has broken several youth cricket records with his aggressive batting style. He is now preparing for the 2026 IPL season and is expected to be one of Rajasthan Royals’ key players.
Leaping into action after a ball kicked by Istanbul Yurdum Spor’s goalkeeper knocked a low-flying seagull to the ground, team captain Gani Catan successfully revived the battered bird with rudimentary CPR. The seagull was subsequently taken away by medical staff for further treatment.
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt reached the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday after a 2-1 win at Inter Milan secured a 5-2 aggregate victory, sealing the biggest result in the club’s history and setting up a tie with either Manchester City or Sporting Portugal.
An outstanding six-year run for left tackle Trent Williams with the San Francisco 49ers could be in danger of coming to an end. With Williams set to carry a $39 million cap number in 2026, he and the 49ers are engaged in talks but are struggling to find a contractual solution to the sizable impact he will have on the team’s payroll next season, according to ESPN. If the sides cannot find a middle ground, Williams could become a free agent this offseason.
The 49ers want to keep their star tackle in town despite the reported stalemate, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. John Lynch, the team’s general manager, effectively said as much Tuesday at the NFL Combine.
“In recent weeks, I’ve met with both Trent and with his agent, Vincent Taylor, and had really good, productive and substantive meetings,” Lynch said. “Here’s what I know. Trent loves being a Niner. We love having Trent as a Niner. It’s up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle.
“There’s some unique circumstances in that we all know what Trent is as a player and how great of a player he’s been. He’s gonna be 38 years old, so there’s some things that go into that. But I think we’re all on the same page and feel very positively about where that’s going.”
A release before June 1 would save the 49ers $4.7 million in cap space. If they were to release him after that date, they would save $15.5 million this year — though that would require them to split his dead cap hit across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Williams, a five-time All-Pro honoree and 12-time Pro Bowler, would be among the most highly sought-after players of the 2026 free agent class. Even entering his age-38 season, the veteran tackle remains a premier blind-side protector with potentially multiple more years left in the tank. He said last offseason that he would “love to play until I’m 40.”
The 49ers and Williams agreed in September 2024 to a restructured three-year deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman that season.
One of the few accolades that Williams has left to add to his résumé is Super Bowl champion. Remaining with the 49ers should allow him to achieve that goal, but his significant cap hit could also limit San Francisco’s ability to surround him with enough talent to contend in a loaded NFC West. The 49ers secured a wild-card berth in 2025 despite finishing third in the division at 12-5. With two Super Bowl appearances and a pair of conference championship game berths since 2019, the 49ers are knocking on the door of a title. Losing one of the NFL’s best tackles without getting anything in return would be a significant blow in that quest.
Williams joined the 49ers in 2020 via a trade with the Washington Commanders. The former No. 4 overall pick spent the first decade of his career in Washington and was a perennial Pro Bowler. He took his game to the next level upon arriving on the West Coast, securing three consecutive first-team All-Pro honors and a second-team selection in 2025.
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Several professional soccer matches in Mexico were postponed over the weekend after violence flared near Guadalajara, one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The decision came in the wake of a military operation that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” dead.
The killing of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel leader has plunged parts of the country into chaos, impacting civilians and prompting visiting Americans to seek a return to the U.S.
Joe Haden, who had stints with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, is among the Americans who are hoping to return home as quickly as possible.
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) warms up before playing the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field on Dec. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports)
Haden commented on the developments he’s noticed during his visit to Cabo during his latest appearance on his “Deebo & Joe” podcast. He also admitted he should have taken former Steelers’ teammate James Harrison’s warning about traveling to Mexico more seriously.
“I should’ve listened to you. I should’ve listened to you, Deebo,” Haden said in reference to Harrison’s message that stressed caution.
“Honestly, I’m a little spooked brother. I can’t even lie to you. It’s getting real tricky on this side of the world. I need to get back [my] feet planted on a U.S. territory. I’m not even trying to be funny, I’m a little spooked. Because when you’re talking cartel, they’re going against police. They run up at airports and stuff.”
Joe Haden (23) of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on Aug. 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Haden’s appearance on the podcast was cut short as he left to finalize travel plans back to the U.S., leaving Harrison to host the remainder of the episode.
“I’m trying to book my stuff, I got a flight I can get now,” Haden said. “I really tried to get on this show to show you my face, let you know I am good, but I really do need to slide.”
Joe Haden (23) of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, at Heinz Field on Oct. 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Haden was believed to be in Cabo San Lucas at the time the podcast was released.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said via X that the U.S. government provided intelligence support for the operation that led to the killing of “El Mencho.”
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“‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” she wrote. She commended Mexico’s military for its work.
The killing of the drug lord set off several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles, tactics commonly used by the cartels to block military operations. Videos circulated on social media showed smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, and people sprinting through the airport of the state’s capital in panic.
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to stage four matches during the 2026 World Cup, including two involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are also scheduled to play at the venue.
Mexico’s national team remains set to host Iceland in a friendly Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro. As of Sunday, the Mexican soccer federation had not announced any changes to that match.
Not all sporting events were affected. Organizers of the Mexican Open in Acapulco said the ATP tournament would begin Monday at the GNP Arena as planned.
Fox News’ Landon Mion and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
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Marcus Rashford is spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona and they have the option to sign the England international permanently for £26m
Marcus Rashford is spending the season on loan with Barcelona from Manchester United(Image: AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at the latest on Marcus Rashford’s future and the possibility of a permanent move to Barcelona…
- Barcelona are reportedly attempting to negotiate down the £26million purchase option for Marcus Rashford ahead of a potential permanent move this summer.
- The 28-year-old Manchester United academy graduate has enjoyed a stellar loan spell in Spain, netting ten goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions. His impressive form has included nine goal contributions in just eight Champions League matches.
- Rashford’s resurgence at the Camp Nou has earned him a recall to the England squad, with Thomas Tuchel expected to include him in the World Cup squad.
- Spanish outlet Sport reports that Barcelona sporting director Deco met with Rashford’s agent Arturo Canales on Monday to begin negotiations with United. However, Barca are hoping to reduce the agreed €30million (£26m) fee despite their intention to sign the forward permanently.
- United are reported to be regretting the original deal with Barcelona, with club bosses now valuing Rashford closer to £50 million given his form and interest from other clubs.
- Rashford himself appears settled in Spain, telling BBC Sport in December: “I don’t see anything here as like a pressure. It’s just, I’m here to play football. It’s been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home. I’ve just been enjoying every step of the way.”
- Any hopes Barcelona have of reducing the transfer fee are considered incredibly low, with United holding firm on the agreed purchase option.
- Another report in Sport recently claimed that Barcelona have decided to sign Rashford permanently, with the United loanee reported to be willing to “adjust his salary” as a lower amount in order to help get the deal over the line.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Man United primed for tough Marcus Rashford transfer talks as Barcelona ‘U-turn again’
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