NFL Rumors: Latest Trade and Coaching Reports Following Week 17

Some head coaches knew their tenures would come to an end after Week 17. Then there's Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio who didn't have a prior conversation about his future with owner Mark Davis before he announced his firing.

Either way, the coaching carousel continues to spin with familiar faces leaving town and perhaps first-timers coming in to elevate a developing roster.

Largely due to the New England Patriots' success since the turn of a century, both coordinators will continue to emerge as buzzworthy head-coaching candidates. There's a team in the NFC East that plans to interview Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia.

The Chicago Bears hired John Fox as a retread in 2015. After he went 14-34, the front office seems interested in new blood with an offensive mind. 

Oakland will take a different approach and dig back into its past. The most popular name among head coaches who've been away from the game may return to the sidelines after years of rumors.

Let's take a look at the latest reports about interviews, interest and pending reunions between head-coaching candidates and teams.

Jon Gruden Back on the Sideline? 

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Every year after the regular season ends, we hear whispers about ESPN commentator Jon Gruden returning to the coaching ranks. He's been away from the sidelines for nearly a decade. However, the "Grumors" may finally have some validity. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter appeared on SportsCenter with a strong report about Gruden's Raider reunion for 2018:

In 1998, Gruden became a head coach for the first time with the Silver and Black. He led the team to consecutive winning seasons between 2000-01 before the front office traded him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002.

Though he's viewed as a TV personality for ESPN, it's evident Gruden still approaches the game like a coach when listening to his commentary. His QB Camp shows a lasting affinity for quarterbacks:

Derek Carr experienced a down year after pulling off seven game-winning drives during the previous season. Davis likely views Gruden as the guy who can reboot the quarterback position and elevate this franchise to new levels en route to Las Vegas in a couple of years.

Chicago Bears Pursuing John DeFilippo for Head-Coaching Position

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo's success with quarterback Carson Wentz could put him in position to land a head-coaching position during the offseason.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Bears plan to interview DeFilippo in the near future:

It's worth noting rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky may have a strong voice on the final decision, per general manager Ryan Pace during Monday's media press conference:

Based on DeFilippo's success in preparing Wentz, a mobile signal-caller with questions about his collegiate competition, Trubisky should feel intrigued by this particular candidate. The North Carolina product only started 13 games on the college level, but he replaced Mike Glennon under center in Week 5. 

DeFilippo could become the quarterback whisperer that grooms the Bears next franchise signal-caller.

New York Giants Focus on New England Patriots Coordinators 

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New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, who accepted the position before Week 17, has both Patriots coordinators on his short list, per Schefter: 

As long-time Patriots assistants, McDaniels and Patricia have worked alongside head coach Bill Belichick for more than a decade. The Giants hope to bring some of that sustained success to a franchise with one winning season in the last four years. 

In the meantime, McDaniels and Patricia must focus on another playoff run with the Patriots, but both coordinators could move on during the offseason regardless of the team's outcome. Typically, Big Blue favors long-term stability. So, Gettleman must tie himself to a candidate who earns his full trust during the interview process.