The Bills spent the day in meetings discussing their potential head coaching candidates. They begin attacking this tomorrow. We’ll have names.

The first round of Steelers interviews is complete:

More on the Dolphins working to finalize an agreement to hire Jeff Hafley as the team’s next head coach: www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

It’s not official yet, but the Miami Dolphins are working to finalize an agreement with Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley to become their next head coach, a source tells The Athletic.

The Chiefs are expected to hire Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy to be their next offensive coordinator, per source. Bieniemy would return to the post he previously occupied from 2018-2022 in Kansas City.

A source tells @mikesilver.bsky.social that former Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is being hired by the Lions. Adam Schefter was on it.

Several organizations want to move quickly on Sean McDermott, but timing is the obstacle. A number of key decision-makers are tied up in in-person meetings with other candidates today.

The Baltimore Ravens are interviewing Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver for a second time on Tuesday, per source.

All the juice is in Miami! Details on the Raiders scheduling in-person interviews in South Florida with four candidates, including Mike McDaniel and Ejiro Evero:

The Bills' statement on firing Sean McDermott:

The Raiders, led by Tom Brady, are all meeting in Miami with candidates over the next three days. (Which is also making this all very confusing, considering Miami is also looking for a head coach right now.)

The Falcons are retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, the team announced. Ulbrich's defense finished second in the league in sacks this season, and he will remain a part of the new Atlanta staff under Kevin Stefanski.

Kansas City is expecting Matt Nagy to land a head coaching job, so the wheels have been in motion on Bieniemy for a few weeks.

The Raiders are meeting with former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in person today and tomorrow, per source. McDaniel is meeting with Las Vegas brass now, Evero flies in tonight before his interview on Tuesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs are requesting permission to interview Eric Bieniemy, and the expectation is that he will be returning as the OC for the Chiefs.

My colleague @mikesilver.bsky.social wrote about how Buffalo’s Josh Allen-centric model keeps coming up short. "Clearly, the current model isn’t working — and Saturday’s missed opportunity felt like a closing argument.” Monday, Buffalo fired Sean McDermott: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Talking to NFL executives around the league about Buffalo’s next head coach options, the name that keeps coming up is a familiar one, a Buffalo native and someone Josh Allen loves: Brian Daboll.

Bills GM Brandon Beane will be retained, per source. He will lead the search for Buffalo's next head coach.

More on the Bills moving on from Sean McDermott after nine seasons:

From recent conversations with people in the Bills’ organization, the sense I get is that it felt that there were opportunities to win Saturday in Denver, officiating or otherwise. Leadership felt a change was necessary after coming up short of the Super Bowl yet again.

For John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski, you have to wonder if their decision-making would have changed if they knew the opportunity to work with Josh Allen in his prime would open up.

Sean McDermott led the Bills to double-digit wins seven times and five straight AFC East titles during his nine-year tenure. But after another playoff loss, Buffalo moves on.

BREAKING: Sean McDermott is out as the Bills’ head coach, a source tells The Athletic.

Stidham has acquitted himself well in four career starts, averaging over 250 passing yards per game and throwing six TDs. But in seven seasons, he hasn't had much opportunity. Those starts have come after Derek Carr and Russell Wilson were benched for the final weeks of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Before the Broncos re-signed Jarrett Stidham this past offseason to back up Bo Nix, he had interest and an offer on the table from another team: The New England Patriots. Sunday, he faces the team that drafted him in the AFC title game, the biggest start of his career.

The Texans are still trying to get back to Houston after yesterday afternoon’s game, dealing with weather delays and other travel complications. They are still in the air. The game ended at 6:15 p.m. ET.

An instant classic in Chicago. Rams win.

Seahawks-Rams, the trilogy. Winner advances to Super Bowl LX.

Wow.

Stefon Diggs with a point to the fans after catching his first postseason TD since 2020.

Drake Maye and co. are heading to Denver.

A victorious Mike Vrabel is first down the tunnel after the Patriots punch their AFC Championship Game ticket.

The Patriots are the only undefeated road team in the league this season (8-0). Now, Mike Vrabel’s group heads to Denver to take on the Broncos.

Patriots at Broncos. Winner goes to the Super Bowl. It’s a rematch of the AFC title game a decade ago, which Denver won before winning Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara.

Robert Saleh was expected to do a Zoom interview with the Titans tonight, but the organization collected enough information to move forward with an in-person meeting tomorrow.

Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff could look familiar to what we saw in Cleveland, with Bill Callahan coaching the offensive line and Tommy Rees serving as offensive coordinator. Details are still being worked through.

One bit of news: Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer is expected to retire following yesterday's defeat. Has had a long and impressive coaching career.

In three matchups against the 49ers this season, the Seahawks’ defense allowed just 26 total points and forced six turnovers. Seattle moves on to the NFC title game.

Miami, Baltimore and Tennessee all showed very strong interest in Kevin Stefanski, per sources. He also chose to drop out of the Las Vegas search last week.

Kevin Stefanski's deal with the Falcons is for five years, per source. More on Atlanta finding its next head coach: www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff could look familiar to what we saw in Cleveland, with Bill Callahan coaching the offensive line and Tommy Rees serving as offensive coordinator. Details are still being worked through.

Matt Ryan called many people in the NFL over the last week to learn more about Kevin Stefanski and his style as a leader. Ryan drove the search, and now the two Philly men are working together.

BREAKING: The Falcons are hiring Kevin Stefanski as the franchise’s next head coach, a source tells The Athletic.

The Broncos are a win away from the Super Bowl. But they're going to have to go the rest of the way without Bo Nix.

Broncos QB Bo Nix is out for the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game against the Bills, Sean Payton announced. Jarrett Stidham will start against the winner of Texans-Patriots next Sunday.

The Broncos are 12-2 in one-score games this year. And now, they’re a win away from the Super Bowl after knocking off the Bills in overtime.

More from @mattschneidman.bsky.social on the Packers agreeing to terms on an extension with Matt LaFleur:

NEWS: The Packers and Matt LaFleur are finalizing terms on a multi-year extension to keep LaFleur in Green Bay, sources tell The Athletic.

John Harbaugh tells The Athletic's Ian O'Connor that he will report to New York Giants owner John Mara. Harbaugh adds that he looks forward to forming a great partnership with GM Joe Schoen.

More on John Harbaugh agreeing to terms with the Giants, filling the first of the NFL’s nine head-coaching vacancies: