By worldlive 
Sack tribulation: Coaching Shake-Up! Saints, Cowboys, Bears, Jets & More Caught in Wild Rumor Storm!” As tragedy expanded. See full details..
With Mike McCarthy, Joe Brady, and Kliff Kingsbury no longer in contention for the Saints’ head coaching job, Kellen Moore has emerged as the frontrunner. While SI.com’s Albert Breer agrees with this assessment, he believes Darren Rizzi is still a contender. Rizzi has interviewed for the role, though Mike Kafka and Anthony Weaver have each had two interviews. The Saints’ inability to secure high-profile candidates might prompt them to reconsider Rizzi as a viable option. While hiring him would be unconventional—given his interim status and special teams background—it highlights that the New Orleans job is not currently seen as highly desirable.
If Rizzi does not get the job, he could potentially reunite with Sean Payton in Denver. Here’s the latest on coaching developments:
The New York Jets have chosen Steve Wilks over Chris Harris for their defensive coordinator position, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones suggests Harris could still join the team in another capacity. Harris has frequently been considered for defensive coordinator roles and remained with the Tennessee Titans despite Mike Vrabel’s firing. He may take on a similar role to his current one as Tennessee’s pass-game coordinator if he moves to New York.
Meanwhile, former Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill is returning to the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, per The Athletic’s Joe Person. Hill, who previously served as the Dolphins’ defensive pass-game coordinator under Vic Fangio, took a year off before accepting this role. While the Panthers have a safeties coaching vacancy, his exact title is unclear. Additionally, Carolina is bringing in Rams assistant AC Carter as their outside linebackers coach, according to the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye. Carter spent the past two years as the Rams’ assistant defensive line coach and started his NFL coaching career in 2022 with the Broncos under Ejiro Evero.
In Dallas, the Cowboys have decided to retain tight ends coach Lunda Wells, despite the Bears having shown interest in hiring him. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Dallas extended Wells’ contract, aligning with previous expectations that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wanted to keep him.
On the offensive line coaching front, the Bears have interviewed Ohio State assistant Justin Frye for the position, per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Frye has only coached at the college level, most recently serving as UCLA’s offensive coordinator under Chip Kelly before joining Ohio State in 2022, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship. Tulane’s offensive line coach, Dan Roushar, who spent a decade with the Saints (2013–22), is also set to interview.
Defensively, the Bears are making a new addition as well. Ben Johnson is hiring Birmingham Stallions assistant Bill Johnson as his defensive line coach, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Johnson, 69, has coached both offensive and defensive lines with the USFL-turned-UFL franchise and last worked in the NFL in 2018 with the Rams. He was also part of LSU’s national championship-winning staff in 2019 and spent his longest NFL tenure with the Saints (2009–16), accumulating nearly 20 years of league experience.
The Raiders made headlines by deciding to keep Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator, meaning Pete Carroll will be his third head coach in Las Vegas.
Additionally, the team is maintaining stability by retaining special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, as reported by NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. McMahon, a coaching veteran of over 30 years, has held special teams coordinator roles with the Rams, Chiefs, Colts, Broncos, and Raiders, where he has been since 2022.
Lastly, Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock is drawing interest from NFL teams. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, at least three teams have inquired about hiring him for a position coach role. Hammock has led Northern Illinois since 2019 and previously served as the Ravens’ running backs coach. His tenure with the Huskies includes a notable upset victory over Notre Dame last season.