The Monday after the end of the regular season is the day when coaches tremble in the NFL: on Black Monday, unsuccessful teams often sack their coaches. All news and rumors in the ticker

TOP topic: Update, 11.1., 07:29: Giants part ways with Martindale

Following reports earlier this week that New York Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale had a freakout, the franchise has apparently parted ways with him for good. The team made the announcement.

It is not a dismissal or a resignation, but an “amicable agreement”. In plain language, this means that the Giants will keep the three million dollars Martindale would have classified for the last year of his contract and the defensive specialist can look for a new job without any restrictions.

“ESPN” brings the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles into play as landing spots for the 60-year-old.

Update, Jan. 10, 4:45 p.m.: Chicago Bears fire two coaches

Next coaching decision in the NFL. The Chicago Bears have parted ways with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko.

Getsy worked as offensive coordinator in Chicago for two seasons. He was hired in 2022, shortly after head coach Mike Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles.

He had previously spent much of the previous decade as an assistant coach and quarterbacks coach with the Green Bay Packers. Janocko, on the other hand, came from the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears’ offense was strong against the run in the now completed regular season, but there were massive problems in the passing game around quarterback Justin Fields.

Update, 10.1., 07:28: Defensive Coordinator Martindale is said to have flipped out – is Daboll calling for his resignation?

A scandal has reportedly erupted surrounding the New York Giants’ expected parting of ways with defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.

As reported by the New York Post, the coach responsible for the defense is said to have lashed out at head coach Brian Daboll. According to the report, he insulted Daboll after a meeting with him and slammed the door.

Contrary to some reports that the Giants had fired Martindale, he is still under contract. Instead, Daboll is now apparently calling for the coordinator’s resignation, with general manager Joe Schoen saying in his end-of-season press conference that he expects “both coordinators to return”.

Martindale is still under contract until after next season and earns three million dollars. There were already reports of “tensions” between the two parties in November.

Update, Jan. 9, 6:35 p.m.: Tennessee Titans fire head coach Mike Vrabel

Next coaching firing in the NFL! The Tennessee Titans have parted ways with head coach Mike Vrabel. This was officially announced by the franchise. The 48-year-old had been on the sidelines in Nashville since 2018.

Although Vrabel led the team to a positive record four years in a row, there have been many disappointments of late. Among other things, the Titans missed out on the postseason in the current and previous season.

Update, Jan. 9, 5:25 p.m.: Saints likely considering hiring Jon Gruden

At the moment, it looks like the New Orleans Saints will keep Dennis Allen as head coach next season. However, according to one report, a coach who has already found the Super Bowl could find his way to the Saints.

Nola.com reports that the franchise is considering hiring Jon Gruden – should he not get a job as head coach in the offseason. According to US media, Gruden already spent time with Saints officials when they traveled to Tampa Bay for the game against the Buccaneers in Week 17.

Gruden is even said to have taken part in a team meeting. The 60-year-old could work as part of the offensive staff for the Saints, but not as a replacement for offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael.

Gruden already served as a consultant for the franchise last season, in part because he is familiar with quarterback Derek Carr from their time together in Las Vegas.

The 60-year-old had worked as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders for a good three years before resigning in October 2021 after leaked emails revealed that he had made racist, homophobic and sexist comments.

Update, Jan. 9, 7:10 a.m.: Jacksonville Jaguars fire defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell

After missing the playoffs on the last meters, the Jacksonville Jaguars have drawn the first personnel consequences.

As the franchise announced on “X” (formerly Twitter), defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and several members of the defensive coaching staff have been relieved of their duties.

The 52-year-old previously spent two years under head coach Doug Pederson.

After an 8-3 start to the season, the Jaguars completely collapsed and finished the regular season 1-5 after going 20-28 in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans.

Update, Jan. 8, 10:00 p.m.: New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale likely to resign

After two years as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, Wink Martindale has apparently resigned from his position, according to several NFL insiders.

Even though Brian Daboll had announced at a press conference that Martindale would probably return next season, the defensive coordinator’s departure had already been announced.

Martindale’s defense has been one of the worst units in the league over the past two seasons: only five teams allowed more yards than the Giants in 2023 and six in 2022.

The New York Giants have also fired Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who had held the position since 2018.

Update 8.1., 8:22 p.m.: Belichick won’t let anyone look at his cards

Head coach Bill Belichick didn’t really want to talk about his future with the New England Patriots after a disappointing 4-13 season. The 71-year-old therefore remained vague, even though there was much speculation that he could possibly be fired.

Or that he might even leave himself. “I’m under contract. I’m going to do what I always do, which is work as hard as I can every day to help the team and whatever else I can do,” he said. “And I will continue to do that.”

Monday, when other colleagues have already had to leave, was a kind of final day with the players, Belichick explained, “we met with them and then we move on. It’s still far too early to make decisions or set directions for next year. I don’t think the processes will change fundamentally at the end of the year in terms of how we go about it.”

He confirmed that he will meet with owner Robert Kraft. “Maybe there will be a series of meetings, I don’t know,” Belichick said. “We’ll work it out internally.” But he is only part of the process: “I’m here to work as long as I can to help our team every day. “

Update 8.1., 19:22: New names are being traded to the Commanders

After the dismissal of head coach Ron Rivera, general manager Martin Mayhew is still in his position with the Washington Commanders. However, things could also get tight for Mayhew.

NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that the Commanders have requested interviews with assistant GM Mike Borgonzi of the Kansas City Chiefs and assistant GM Adam Peters of the San Francisco 49ers.

Ian Cunningham, who holds the same position with the Chicago Bears, has also been rumored as a possible new head of football operations for the Commanders.

Update Jan. 8, 5:30 p.m.: Washington Commanders likely to request interviews with four head-coaching candidates

The Washington Commanders didn’t hesitate for long: shortly after announcing the firing of Ron Rivera, the franchise has apparently already invited four candidates for an interview.

According to Tom Pelissero of “NFL Network,” the Commanders have requested job interviews with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn of the Detroit Lions.

Washington also wants to interview Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports.

Update, Jan. 8, 3:14 p.m.: Washington Commanders bring NBA expert to the NFL

The Washington Commanders are continuing to rebuild the top of their franchise and are getting help from an absolute expert from the NBA.

As “ESPN” reports, Bob Myers will join the Washington Commanders. The 48-year-old held various positions with the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2023 and was instrumental in four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022).

He was even voted “NBA Executive of the Year” in 2015 and 2017

Update, 8.1., 14:40: Giants break up with two coaches

The end for Thomas McGaughey. According to ESPN, the New York Giants are parting ways with their special teams coordinator. McGaughey was active in this position for “Big Blue” for six years. However, his units were not necessarily convincing, especially in the past two years.

According to the report, the Giants are also parting ways with offensive line coach Bobby Johnson. An unsurprising move, as the Giants’ O-line rarely managed to protect their respective quarterback.

Update, Jan. 8, 2:30 p.m.: Panthers part ways with GM Fitterer

Decision at the Carolina Panthers. The franchise has announced in a statement that it is parting ways with General Manager Scott Fitterer.

“As part of the realignment of our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as General Manager,” Panthers owner David Tepper said. “I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish him and his family the best.”

Fitterer had been with the worst team in the NFL this season since 2021. With the franchise parting ways with head coach Frank Reich earlier in the season, Carolina can now install a new head coach and a new GM in one offseason for the first time since 2002.

Update, Jan. 8, 2:25 p.m.: Commanders eject Rivera

After Arthur Smith, the next NFC coach is out of a job. The Washington Commanders have fired head coach Ron Rivera. Early Monday morning, team owner Josh Harris informed the head coach of the end of his tenure.

The imminent decision was already reported before yesterday’s final game of the season, which the Dallas Cowboys won 38-10.

Update, Jan. 8, 1:40 p.m.: Should Cowboys coach McCarthy be worried?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn’t do his head coach any favors after the final game of the regular season. The owner did not end speculation that Mike McCarthy would have to coach the Cowboys deep into the playoffs.

Although he explained that the head coach’s figures speak for themselves, he pointed out that he would wait and see how the individual games (should several wins be achieved) go.

In recent years, America’s Team under McCarthy has always come up short in the playoffs – or failed to reach the postseason at all

Update, Jan. 8, 12:10 p.m.: Belichick’s decision soon?

Legendary coach Bill Belichick’s time with the New England Patriots could be coming to an end. There has been speculation for weeks that both parties will part ways.

In the last game of the regular season, the Patriots suffered a 3:17 defeat against the New York Jets, their final record of 4:12 is the second worst in the entire NFL.

According to US media, a meeting between Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft is scheduled for Black Monday. According to the “NFL Network”, however, an immediate dismissal of the 71-year-old is “very unlikely.”

Update, Jan. 8, 9:17 a.m.: Falcons fire Smith

The Atlanta Falcons have parted ways with head coach Arthur Smith following the final 17-48 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The franchise officially confirmed this in a statement.

The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed Arthur Smith as the team’s head coach following a meeting tonight in Atlanta with Falcons Owner and Chairman, Arthur M. Blank, and the team’s CEO, Rich McKay https://t.co/Qrjuq4klH4

– Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 8, 2024

Smith’s three seasons as head coach of the Falcons all ended with a record of seven wins and ten defeats. No real progress was evident. You can read more about the dismissal here

Black Monday in the NFL: What is it?

The NFL regular season is over. While the successful teams prepare for the NFL playoffs, the teams that missed the postseason have to make plans for a better future.

The first step is often to replace the coaching staff or at least the head coach. This is why the Monday after the last game of the season is known as “Black Monday”, as this is often when these dismissals are officially announced.

The Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers have already fired their respective head coaches during the season