NFL Notes: Draft, Browns, Cardinals, Jaguars & Steelers

Draft

Browns

• Browns HC Hue Jackson confirmed that Robert Griffin III will remain the team’s starting quarterback for Week 16’s game against the Chargers. (Nate Ulrich)

Cardinals

Cardinals GM Steve Keim mentioned during an interview with Arizona Sports 98.7 that they spoken to the agents of some of their impending free agents about new contracts. However, it sounds like they could be far apart in talks.

“One thing public does not generally know, we have spoken to many agents regarding players whose contracts expire after the season and some whose contracts do not expire after the season that we’d just like to try to extend,” Keim said, via AzCardinals.com. “It takes two sides. Those are conversations I’ll keep to myself, that we don’t generally talk about through the media. There are several players we’d like to have back, but it takes two sides.”

Jaguars

• Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell said the decision to fire HC Gus Bradley wouldn’t have been impacted by the team beating the Texans on Sunday. (Mark Long)
• Caldwell explained that they wanted to begin the process of finding their next head coach right away, which explains why they had planned all along to move on from Bradley.
• In regards to what they’re looking for in their next head coach, Caldwell explained that there “won’t be any mandates” in terms of starting QB Blake Bortles. (Ian Rapoport)
• However, Caldwell did say: “I still believe in Blake very much. The head coach will have a lot of input into who the QB will be.” (Ryan O’Halloran)
• Caldwell admitted that he will look at the possibility of trading a pick for a head, but qualified that by saying it would have to be right coach. (Michael DiRocco)
• Caldwell did say that ownership expects big things from this coaching search. (Jason La Canfora)
• Interestingly enough, Caldwell admitted that the Rams’ decision to fire HC Jeff Fisher played a role in them parting ways with Bradley now: “Once the ball started rolling, you didn’t want to be left behind.” (John Oesher)
• Caldwell stressed that NFL head-coaching experience is “critical” for them in their search. (John Oesher)
• Interim HC Doug Marrone will be a permanent candidate “regardless of what happens in the next few weeks,” according to Caldwell. (Conor Orr)
• Caldwell said he has already received “numerous” calls regarding their vacancy. (John Oesher)
• Marrone confirmed Monday that Bortles will remain the team’s starting quarterback. (John Oesher)

Steelers

• Jeremy Fowler reports that tests on Steelers DE Stephen Tuitt’s knee revealed damage, but the team feels as though they dodged a bullet, as the early prognosis is that Tuitt’s injury is not a major issue.