NFL Rumors: Latest on Urban Meyer, Carson Wentz Trade Buzz and More

For the 18 NFL team not in the postseason, the 2021 offseason has already begun. Several franchises are eyeing new coaching and executive candidates, while others are simply looking ahead to free agency and the 2021 NFL draft.

Six more teams will join the offseason after Wild Card Weekend, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the rumor mill is spinning at full speed already. From talk of potential blockbuster coaching hires to possible franchise-changing trades, there has been plenty of chatter to go around.

And the start of free agency is still more than two months away.

You'll find a look at some of the latest offseason buzz here.

Urban Meyer Looking for $12 Million Per Year?

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Former Florida and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has become a hot head-coaching candidate this offseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars have been linked with the former college national champion, and the Los Angeles Chargers also have some interest, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman.

If a team is going to hire Meyer this offseason, though, they're not going to do so at a bargain. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Meyer is seeking a deal worth $12 million per year. Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, however, that number isn't accurate.

"The notion that Urban Meyer is seeking $12M a year to coach in the NFL is not accurate, source said. I’m sure the former Florida and OSU coach will be well compensated if he becomes the Jaguars coach. But that number is not relevant and false," Rapoport tweeted.

While $12 million per year may indeed be a high demand, it's not entirely unrealistic. The Carolina Panthers were willing to give Matt Rhule $9 million per year when they hired him last offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders infamously gave Jon Gruden a 10-year, $100 million deal to come out of the broadcasting booth back in 2018.

If multiple teams are interested in landing Meyer, he could hit that $12 million-per-year mark.

Carson Wentz Has 'Fractured' Relationship, May Seek Trade

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Over the past year, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has gone from being a surefire franchise quarterback to a sideline spectator. The 2016 first-round pick played poorly in 2020 and was eventually benched in favor of rookie second-round pick Jalen Hurts.

Within the next few months, Wentz may find himself with a different organization entirely.

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Wentz's relationship with head coach Doug Pederson is strained and that is likely to lead to a trade request.

"Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who was benched in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts last month, still plans to ask for a trade in the offseason because his relationship with coach Doug Pederson is fractured beyond repair, according to league sources," Mortensen wrote.

While Wentz's $34.6 million cap hit in 2021 may make it difficult for a team to absorb his contract, if the quarterback is willing to restructure his deal to get a trade done, it could happen. This should be one of the biggest situations to follow heading into free agency in March.

Todd Bowles Again Drawing Interest

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Todd Bowles last served as a head coach in 2018 with the New York Jets. His tenure there didn't end gloriously—few coaching runs with the Jets have recently—but Bowles quickly rebounded as the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Two years later, Bowles appears to be a head-coaching candidate once again. According to Florio, the Atlanta Falcons plan to interview Bowles for their vacant coaching job this offseason.

It would be interesting to see Atlanta go with a defensive coach right after firing Dan Quinn, as teams often reverse course when it comes to coaching philosophy. However, Bowles has done solid work with the Buccaneers defense over the past two seasons, and defense is arguably Atlanta's biggest issue right now.

Atlanta finished the regular season ranked just 29th in total defense and dead last in pass defense. While Tampa's defense finished the year ranked just 21st in pass defense, it also ranked sixth in total defense and eighth in points allowed.

Armed with offensive standouts like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, the Falcons could surge back into NFC South relevance if it can make improvements on the defensive side of the ball this offseason.