NFL News & Rumors: Monday 1/21

49ers

• Jim Harbaugh announced that David Akers will remain the team’s kicker despite missing a field goal against the Falcons. (NFLTR)
  

Bengals

• Bengals may look to the draft to find a backup quarterback for next season. (NFLTR)

Browns

• Browns CEO Joe Banner mentioned that he viewed hiring Chip Kelly as their HC as too big of a “gamble.” (Sports Illustrated)
  

Cardinals

• Former Colts OC Tom Moore will be hired as a part of Bruce Arians’ coaching staff with the Cardinals. (CBSSports.com)
  

Colts

• Colts New offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton mentioned that he expects to employ more of a West Coast offense next season. (Indianapolis Star)
  

Cowboys

• The Cowboys may end up using Cole Beasley as a slot-receiver next season. (ESPN Dallas)
  

Eagles

• The Eagles officially hired former Browns coach Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator. (NFLTR)
• Giants LBs coach Jim Herrmann withdrew his name from the Eagles’ defensive-coordinator search. (Tom Rock)
  

Falcons

• QB Matt Ryan is dealing with a sprained left shoulder, but it will not require surgery. (NFLTR)
• RB Michael Turner could be a cap casualty in the coming months. (ESPN.com)
• Falcons signed the following players to to reserve/future contracts:
  • WR James Rodgers
  • WR Marcus Jackson
  • G Jacques McClendon
  • DT Micanor Regis
  • LB Pat Schiller
  • TE Andrew Szczerba
  • CB Peyton Thompson
  • RB Josh Vaughan 

Jets

• Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly told GM candidates that Tim Tebow was “forced” on him. (ESPN New York)
• NT Sione Pouha will not need offseason back surgery. (ESPN New York)
  

Lions

• DE Cliff Avril believes he’s capable of playing in both 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes. (MLive.com)
• Jim Schwartz mentioned that he is not considering any changes to the team’s Wide 9 defensive scheme or a switch to a 3-4 defense. (MLive.com)

Packers

• Unrestricted free agent Greg Jennings is “as good as gone.” (NFLTR)
• OT Derek Sherrod is expected to compete for a starting job next year, according to OL coach James Campen. (NFLTR)
  
• Packers would like to retain LB Brad Jones who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the coming months. (NFLTR)
• There are some questions as to how TE D.J. Williams fits into the team’s plans. (NFLTR)

Patriots

• Head coach Bill Belichick told reporters he intends to return next season. (Boston Herald)
• CB Aqib Talib might be irreplaceable given how bad New England’s secondary was without him. (NFLTR)
• DE Chandler Jones could be in need of offseason ankle surgery. (Jeff Howe)
• Patriots signed the following players to to reserve/future contracts:
  • FB James Develin
  • WR Andre Holmes
  • DT Tracy Robertson 
  • WR Jeremy Ebert
  • LB Jeff Tarpinian 
  • DE Marcus Benard 

Rams

• RB Steven Jackson could be on the Falcons, Packers and Steelers radars during free agency. (NFLTR)

Ravens

• The Ravens removed the “interim” tag from OC Jim Caldwell’s title. (NFLTR)
  

Redskins

• WR Pierre Garcon is “leaning” toward rest rather than undergoing surgery this offseason.
  

Saints

•  Saints are reporteldy discussing a new contract with OC Pete Carmichael. (NFLTR)
  

Steelers

• The Steelers’ odds of re-signing RB Rashard Mendenhall are reportedly “not good.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  

Titans

• The Titans could “choose to part” with SS Jordan Babineaux at some point this offseason.  (Nashville Tennessean)
  

Vikings

• Vikings have no intentions of adding a quarterback to compete with Christian Ponder, but a replacement for Joe Webb is likely. (NFLTR)