After last weekend’s surprising NFL Divisional Playoffs results, many of the league’s top players and coaches suddenly find themselves thinking about what the future holds for them. At the same time, their teams are also deciding what direction to go next season. Here’s the latest news being discussed NFL:

Jaguars Expected to Hire Byron Leftwich

he Jacksonville Jaguars will soon decide their next head coach after recently interviewing a number of candidates for the position. Current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator and former Jaguars’ quarterback Byron Leftwich is expected to replace Urban Meyer as their next head coach.

League sources say Leftwich has been involved in contract negotiations since Tuesday after meeting for about eight hours with team owner Shad Khan. Unless discussions break down for some unforeseen reason, the deal should be finalized, and Leftwich will be named the next coach of the Jaguars.

Payton Steps Down as Saints Head Coach 

Sean Payton has decided to resign as head coach of the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday. He ends his career with a 152-89 record in 15 seasons. His teams were 9-8 in the postseason, and he led them to a Super Bowl victory in 2010.

Payton arrived in New Orleans in 2006 along with Drew Brees and immediately turned around the program. He won 10 games in his first season when they advanced to the NFC Championship game and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The coach says he doesn’t consider this a retirement and sees himself possibly coaching again at some point in the future. He also said he might be interested in pursuing TV. “I’ve had some opportunities,” he stated. “I talked to Drew about it a little bit last night. I don’t know that part of it that well, but that would be something that would interest me.” Payton had three years and $45 million remaining on his contract with the Saints.

Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen is said to be leading the field of candidates to replace Payton.

Gronkowski Undecided on NFL Future

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski must now decide his future in the NFL after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff last weekend. He signed a one-year deal to return to the Bucs in the 2021 season. However, some say his decision may rest on whether QB Tom Brady decides to come back for another season.

Gronkowski is a four-time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay and has 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns for his career. He’s hooked up with Brady for the most touchdowns between any quarterback and receiver duo in the history of the NFL. 

Rodgers’ future raises many questions

Everyone is wondering what the future of Aaron Rodgers will be next season. If the Packers decide to rebuild, as some expect they could, Rodgers is reported to have said he will think about leaving Green Bay if he doesn’t retire. His decision will also hinge on whether or not the Packers place a franchise tag WR Devonte Adams for the 2022 season.

If, or when, the Packers trade the future Hall of Famer this offseason, they would save $27.5 million in salary and give them enough room to re-sign Adams. It’s also possible that the wide receiver could follow Rodgers wherever he decides to go next.

Both players have hinted on social media about this being their last season in Green Bay. The two are good friends off the field, and it’s been reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz that the two “would love” to play for the Denver Broncos.