NFL Friday Wire: Ravens Target Joe Brady, Bills Defense Decimated for Wild Card

Zach Fowler1 week agoLast Updated: Friday, January 9th, 2026 12:17 PM

Key Takeaways

The Big Swing: The Baltimore Ravens formally request to interview Bills OC Joe Brady for their head coaching vacancy.
The Hot Commodity: Chargers DC Jesse Minter is in high demand, drawing interview requests from both the Browns and Titans.
Buffalo’s MASH Unit: The Bills (12-5) rule out LB Terrel Bernard and CB Maxwell Hairston for Sunday’s clash with the Jaguars.
Cowboys Reboot: Dallas begins its search for a new defensive coordinator, interviewing candidates from the Vikings and Browns.

NEW YORK — As Wild Card Weekend approaches, the NFL landscape is split between teams fighting for a Lombardi Trophy and teams fighting for their future leadership. Friday dropped a massive slate of news, headlined by the Baltimore Ravens making their first big move to replace John Harbaugh.

Coaching Carousel: The Race for Minter and Brady

Ravens Want ” The Josh Allen Whisperer”

The Baltimore Ravens aren’t wasting time. The team has officially requested to interview Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady for their head coaching job. Brady, credited with revitalizing Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber play over the last two seasons, is now a top target to bring spark to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense.

The Jesse Minter Sweepstakes

Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter has emerged as the defensive guru of the 2026 cycle. Following a stellar season in L.A., Minter is at the center of a tug-of-war:

Cleveland Browns: Have requested an interview for their HC vacancy. They are also interviewing Seahawks DC Aden Durde today.
Tennessee Titans: The 3-14 Titans also requested Minter, alongside Rams DC Chris Shula, as they look to rebuild a broken culture.

Cowboys Overhaul Defense

Coming off a disappointing 7-9-1 campaign, Jerry Jones is retooling the defense. Dallas kicks off interviews Friday with Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones and Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda. On Saturday, they turn their attention to Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard.

Playoff Injury Report: Bills Limp into Sunday

While Joe Brady preps for interviews, his current team, the Buffalo Bills (12-5), is dealing with a defensive crisis ahead of their Sunday Wild Card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Head Coach Sean McDermott confirmed a brutal injury report Friday:

OUT: LB Terrel Bernard (calf), CB Maxwell Hairston (ankle), S Damar Hamlin (pectoral – IR).
QUESTIONABLE: WR Josh Palmer (ankle), LB Shaq Thompson (neck).
CONCERN: Kicker Matt Prater (right quad) did not practice Friday, raising questions about the kicking game in a playoff atmosphere.

The loss of Bernard is pivotal. He is the quarterback of the Bills’ defense, and without him, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence may find soft spots over the middle of the field.

Quick Hits: Front Office & Staff

Dolphins: As reported earlier, Miami is finalizing a deal to hire Packers VP Jon-Eric Sullivan as their new General Manager.
Commanders: Washington (5-12) interviewed Cardinals passing game coordinator Drew Terrell for their Offensive Coordinator role.