8:15 p.m.: Jim Harbaugh officially is a Michigan Wolverine — again. The Detroit Free Press reports, citing “two people within the university with knowledge of the negotiations,” that Harbaugh has signed a contract to become Michigan’s new head coach.
7:10 p.m.: The Falcons and 49ers both have requested the Patriots’ permission to interview offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
3:23 p.m.: Despite the Washington Redskins ranking 31st in points allowed this season, Jay Gruden has consistently stated he would like defensive coordinator Jim Haslett to return in 2015.
Gruden’s tune isn’t changing any on Black Monday, either.
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12:54 p.m.: The Falcons, who fired Mike Smith on Monday morning, and the 49ers, who parted ways with Jim Harbaugh on Sunday night, already have their sights set on a new head coach — but they might have to duke it out for him.
Both teams have asked the Denver Broncos for permission to speak with offensive coordinator Adam Gase, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
12:48 p.m.: Phil Emery clearly knows how to make an exit.
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12:04 p.m.: The Bears have made it official.
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11:55 a.m.: At least one guy’s job is safe today. Tom Coughlin has been informed he will return as head coach of the New York Giants in 2015, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports.
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10:38 a.m.: In addition to a new head coach and a new general manager, the Bears also will need to find an offensive coordinator. According to ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson, the Bears unsurprisingly have fired Aaron Kromer — the guy who fessed up to being the anonymous source in an NFL Media report that criticized Jay Cutler.
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9:42 a.m.: The news everyone not named Marc Trestman was expecting, courtesy of FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer.
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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports the Bears will announce both of these moves shortly.
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9:32 a.m.: A Bears source told CBSChicago.com that the team has fired general manager Phil Emery, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the same.
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9:29 a.m.: Mike Smith’s time as the Falcons’ head coach has come to an end. Atlanta could have won the NFC South with a win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but even if they had pulled out a victory, many believed that would not have been enough to save Smith’s job.
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9:21 a.m.: The house clearing might be beginning in the Windy City. According to Pro Football Talk, Bears general manager Ray Emery is out.
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8:27 a.m.: And we’re off. The Jets have announced the firings of coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik.
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8:01 a.m.: The Jets aren’t wasting any time this Monday morning. Rex Ryan currently is meeting with Jets owner Woody Johnson at the team’s facility, where he is expected to be fired.
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7:50 a.m.: The 49ers got a headstart on Black Monday.
San Francisco and Jim Harbaugh mutually parted ways following Sunday’s season-ending win over the Arizona Cardinals, 49ers CEO Jed York announced in a statement. It’s all but confirmed that Harbaugh will be taking over as Brady Hoke’s replacement at the University of Michigan, as his alma mater has been pushing hard for his return to the Wolverines.
For other big names around the league, it’s a matter of when, not if, they’ll be fired. The New York Jets are expected to let head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik go sometime Monday morning, according to an ESPN report. In their two seasons together, Ryan and Idzik went 12-20.
There will be changes in Atlanta as well, as Pro Football Talk reports Mike Smith is “absolutely done” after seven seasons with the Falcons, per a league source with knowledge of the situation.
The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, wrapped up a disappointing 5-11 record, with many believing that Marc Trestman would be fired after just two seasons with the team. After Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, though, Trestman remained confident he would return in 2015. According to CSN Chicago, if Trestman is fired, defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer will also be gone too.
It’s bound to be a wild day, and we’ll have all of the latest NFL shenanigans right here on NESN.com.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
