Ravens Eye Familiar Face in Chiefs’ Joe Cullen for DC Role
The Ravens are looking to bring back a familiar face to lead their defense. Baltimore has officially requested an interview with Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen for their open defensive coordinator position. Cullen, 58, isn’t a stranger to the Ravens’ system - he spent five seasons in Baltimore from 2016 to 2020, where he worked under both Dean Pees and Wink Martindale and developed a strong rapport with current DC Jesse Minter.
During his first stint with the Ravens, Cullen earned a reputation for turning late-round picks and undrafted players into reliable, high-motor contributors. The list is impressive: Matt Judon, Za’Darius Smith, Pernell McPhee, Michael Pierce, and Brent Urban all flourished under his guidance. Baltimore’s defensive line consistently played with physicality and discipline, hallmarks of Cullen’s approach.
After leaving Baltimore, Cullen took on the defensive coordinator role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. That season was a turbulent one across the board in Jacksonville, ending with a full coaching staff overhaul. But Cullen rebounded quickly, landing in Kansas City, where he became a key piece of a defense that helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls.
In Kansas City, Cullen's impact has been undeniable. He helped Chris Jones take his game to another level - from Pro Bowl regular to one of the most feared interior pass-rushers in football.
He also played a central role in the rapid development of 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis, who’s turned into a postseason playmaker with a knack for showing up in big moments. Cullen’s track record of maximizing talent - whether it's a Day 3 gem or a first-rounder - makes him a compelling candidate for Baltimore’s DC job.
Chiefs Projected to Receive Compensatory Pick for Justin Reid’s Departure
The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to pick up a fifth-round compensatory selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, thanks to the departure of safety Justin Reid. Under the NFL’s compensatory pick formula, teams that lose more or better unrestricted free agents than they sign are awarded additional draft picks - typically between Rounds 3 and 7.
Reid signed a sizable deal with the New Orleans Saints last offseason, and that contract qualifies as one of the more significant free-agent losses for Kansas City. According to projections from Over the Cap, the Chiefs are in line to receive a fifth-rounder as a result - a valuable asset for a front office that’s made a habit of finding contributors in the middle rounds.
Travis Kelce Opts Out of 2026 Pro Bowl Games
Despite leading all players in fan voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games with over 420,000 votes, Travis Kelce won’t be suiting up for the event. The Chiefs tight end has officially withdrawn from this year’s festivities, opting out after a challenging 6-11 season that saw Kansas City miss the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Unlike in past years, when a Super Bowl run would’ve ruled him out, Kelce was available this time - making his absence all the more noticeable. The Pro Bowl has struggled to capture fan interest in recent years, and losing a marquee name like Kelce certainly won’t help the league’s efforts to revitalize the event.
As for why Kelce bowed out, that remains unclear. He hasn’t offered a public explanation yet, though fans may get some insight on his New Heights podcast. While some may speculate about what this means for Kelce’s future, especially with retirement rumors always floating around veterans of his stature, there’s no concrete indication that this decision is tied to anything beyond this season.
Patriots Make NFL History with Perfect Road Record
The New England Patriots etched their name into the record books this weekend, becoming the first team in NFL history to go 9-0 on the road in a single season. That stat isn’t just impressive - it’s unprecedented. While three other teams - the 2007 Giants, 2020 Buccaneers, and 2005 Steelers - have each won nine road games, none of them went undefeated away from home.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft celebrated the milestone in the locker room after the team’s win over the Broncos, handing head coach Mike Vrabel a game ball and pointing to the flawless road record as a defining achievement of the season. It’s a testament to the team’s resilience and Vrabel’s leadership in his first year at the helm.
Steelers Turn to Mike McCarthy as New Head Coach
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash - albeit a cautious one - by hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. McCarthy brings a résumé that includes a Super Bowl ring and a career regular-season win percentage north of 60%, but also a recent history of playoff letdowns.
In many ways, the move feels lateral. The Steelers just parted ways with Mike Tomlin, a coach who consistently got them to the postseason but couldn’t deliver deep playoff runs in recent years.
McCarthy’s track record mirrors that pattern. He’s a Pittsburgh native, which may have played a role in the decision, but it’s not the kind of hire that’s going to jolt the fan base with excitement or usher in a new era of Steelers football.
Whether McCarthy can tap into something new in his hometown remains to be seen. But right now, the hire feels more like a bridge than a bold new direction.
Philip Rivers in the Mix for Bills Head Coaching Job
In one of the more surprising developments of the offseason, Philip Rivers is reportedly under serious consideration for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job. The 44-year-old made a brief return to the field last month, starting three games for the Colts after five years away from the NFL. Now, he’s potentially looking at a much bigger comeback - this time on the sidelines.
According to NFL Network, Rivers recently completed an in-person interview with the Bills. While it’s still unclear how close he is to landing the job, the fact that he’s in the mix at all is noteworthy. Rivers has long been praised for his football IQ and leadership, but stepping directly into a head coaching role would be a bold move - both for him and for the Bills.
Chiefs Hand Out Team Awards: Rookie and Courage Honors
The Kansas City Chiefs announced their 2025 team awards this week, recognizing two key contributors on the defensive side of the ball.
First up: rookie edge rusher Ashton Gillotte, who was named the Mack Lee Hill Award winner as the team’s top rookie. A third-round pick out of Louisville, Gillotte didn’t start much early in the year, but his role steadily grew.
By season’s end, he was playing over half the defensive snaps and making impact plays - including a highlight-reel interception off Justin Herbert in Week 14 that may have been the team’s defensive play of the year. He finished with 1.5 sacks and consistent pressure down the stretch, showing promise as a long-term piece in Kansas City’s front seven.
Defensive end George Karlaftis earned the Ed Block Courage Award, given to a player who exemplifies sportsmanship and perseverance. Karlaftis, who’s blossomed into a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ defense, continues to lead by example - both on and off the field.
From coaching shake-ups to historic milestones and rising young stars, the NFL offseason is already delivering its usual blend of drama and intrigue. Stay tuned - this is just the beginning.