Cardinals Head Coaching Search, Latest in Denver, and More
MOBILE, Ala. – With the Super Bowl just over a week away, several teams are still looking to fill head coaching vacancies, and the rest of the league is gearing up for the busiest parts of the offseason there. has a flurry of activity happening in the NFL this week. Much of this activity is concentrated at the Senior Bowl. Here are some of the latest NFL news and rumors on Mobile.
NFL News and Rumors of Cardinals Senior Bowl Head Coach Search Slowly Moving Forward
Why is the Arizona Cardinals head coaching position taking so long to fill? If you have to believe what the folks at Mobile are saying, it’s thanks to Kyler Murray — and it’s not because the quarterback has a say in the matter.
On the contrary, many of the wanted candidates don’t want to take the job knowing they’ll be tied to Murray’s hip for the next four seasons. Murray signed a five-year, $230 million contract at the end of August, and anyone who accepts the Cardinals job will have no options for the foreseeable future at quarterback.
DT Keeanu Benton impresses scouts
Scouts have been raving about Keeanu Benton for two days. For the most part, the former Wisconsin defensive tackle has been unstoppable, consistently beating opponents and penetrating the line of scrimmage.
MORE: Senior bowl quarterbacks leave a lot to be desired on Day 2
Benton came in with high expectations last season, but disappointed many scouts. So what happened? Those inside the scouting circle say the Wisconsin scheme asked Benton to fill gaps rather than make plays. He’s allowed to make plays here in Mobile, and that’s positively impacting his draft stock.
Will Elijah Higgins play Wide Receiver or Tight End in the NFL?
Elijah Higgins has been on my board since August, although he’s been in line for the receiver position during his Stanford career. Even after standing 6-foot-2.5 and 228 pounds on Monday, Higgins has taken catch-only snaps at receiver the past two days during Senior Bowl practice.
Still, Higgins admitted that most teams here have spoken with him about moving to tight end. Higgins mentioned that the majority of teams are projecting him as a tight end (tight F, if you will) on Sunday.
Sean Payton has been hired from Denver and now the new ownership group will be looking to reset after a less than stellar 2022 season for the Broncos. Upon transfer to new ownership, general manager George Paton was retained but given less power in finding coaches.
Now two league sources who have spoken to Pro Football Network wonder how patient the new owner will be with Paton. In fact, another source — that of Denver — agreed that Paton’s job could be affected with Payton now the head coach.
As told to PFN by a source here at the Senior Bowl – in just over ten months, the Denver Broncos have traded three first-round picks, three second-round picks and agreed contracts worth more than $340 million for two people – Russell Wilson and Sean Payton.
Could Jaxson Smith-Njiba be ready for Combine Scouting?
For the first time since September, Jaxson Smith-Njiba’s hamstrings are healthy. Smith-Njiba suffered a serious hamstring injury in Ohio State’s season opener against Notre Dame. He tried to play with the injury in the following weeks, but struggled to move.
If the situation continues in a positive direction, Smith-Njiba expects to train at the Combine.
Warren McClendon Jr. A Senior Bowl Wellness Story
Scouts cheer and amazed, Warren McClendon Jr. competes in the Senior Bowl. The talented Georgian tackle weighed in at 290 pounds. It’s a little light, but the scouts are not concerned.
McClendon escaped the car crash that killed teammate Devin Wilock, who was also McClendon’s roommate. The accident also claimed the life of a member of the Georgia football team, Chandler LeCroy.
McClendon wears jersey number 77 to honor his former teammate and roommate. Wilock wore 77 in Georgia. Expect McClendon to weigh over 300 pounds at the Combine.