Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday and interviewed with the New York Jets on Saturday, reportedly could be their next head coach by the end of the week.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that all signs point to Marrone as the Jets’ next coach. According to the report, the Jets general manager search also includes candidates who have ties, even strong ones, to Marrone.

Owner Woody Johnson and consultants Ron Wolf and Charley Casserly met with Marrone as the Jets seek a replacement for Rex Ryan, who was fired on Monday along with general manager John Idzik.

Johnson is reportedly prepared to have the general manager search process wrapped up by the end of this week as well. One of the top candidates is Mike Maccagnan, the Houston Texans director of college scouting, who is expected to be interviewed Monday.

Maccagnan and Marrone spent time together in the long defunct World League of American Football, with Maccagnan signing Marrone to be the quarterback of the London Monarchs back in 1991.

–The Washington Redskins plan to interview Wade Phillips this week for the vacant defensive coordinator position, according to reports.

Former defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and the Redskins mutually agreed to part ways last Wednesday after the team’s 4-12 season. Haslett finished his fifth season in Washington and first under head coach Jay Gruden.

Phillips last coached from 2011-13 as defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans, closing out the final three games of the 2013 season as interim head coach. He was out of football this past season.

–Chris Ballard is expected to be named general manager of the Chicago Bears, according to reports.

The Bears fired Phil Emery on Dec. 29, the day after the team finished the regular season 6-10, and also dismissed head coach Marc Trestman.

Ballard has 12 years of experience in personnel including as a scout with the Bears under general manager Jerry Angelo, who was Emery’s predecessor.

–The fate of Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff remains uncertain as the team continues its search for a head coach.

That hire will be a determining factor in Dimitroff’s standing with the team.

The two-time Sporting News Executive of the Year was considered safe when on Dec. 29 owner Arthur Blank fired the franchise’s winningest head coach Mike Smith. However, Blank has reportedly informed his personnel department, including Dimitroff and top aide Scott Pioli, that the new head coach will have a say in the make-up of the front office.

–Two of the faces of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, strong safety Troy Polamalu and outside linebacker James Harrison, pondered their future after Saturday night’s wild-card loss.

Even though Polamalu still has two years left on his contract, the 12-year veteran admitted it was a fair question whether he had played his last NFL game.

Harrison, a five-time Pro Bowler, was asked by the Steelers to come out of retirement in September after linebacker Jarvis Jones dislocated his wrist.

–Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Ray Maualuga left Sunday’s wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts and did not return after suffering a hamstring injury in the second quarter.

Maualuga originally was listed as doubtful after leaving the field, but the team announced he is out for the game. He had two tackles and a pass defensed.

–Detroit Lions rookie guard Travis Swanson was helped from the field in the first quarter of Sunday’s NFC wild-card game at Dallas.

Swanson was treated for a knee injury on the sideline and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation, where it was determined he would not return. Swanson started at right guard with Larry Warford (ankle) inactive.

Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis left the game with a quadriceps injury. His return is questionable.

Cowboys inside linebacker Rolando McClain was also taken to the locker room to be treated for dehydration and did not return.

–Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown fractured his shoulder blade in the wild-card loss to the Carolina Panthers and will be out four to six months.

Coach Bruce Arians said Sunday that Brown fractured his scapula during the playoff game, won by the Panthers 27-16. He was targeted once without a catch.

–Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy, who has been on the commissioner’s exempt list since Sept. 17, made an extra $48,000 for the Panthers’ wild-card win Saturday over the Arizona Cardinals.

Hardy is awaiting a jury trial in Mecklenburg County (N.C) after being found guilty by a district court judge on domestic violence charges. He was arrested in May on charges of assaulting and threatening his former girlfriend.

–Houston Cougars wide receiver Deontay Greenberry has signed with an agent and will enter the 2015 draft, according to Tony Pauline.

The junior finished with 841 yards and six touchdowns in 2014 after posting 1,202-11 the previous season, when he lined up primarily as an inside receiver. Greenberry (6-foot-3, 198 pounds), is the No. 11-rated junior wide receiver in the country by NFLDraftScout.com.

–The New Orleans Saints signed running back Tim Hightower to a reserve/future contract Sunday, giving him a chance to resurrect his career after a lingering knee injury.

Hightower, 28, has been out of football since suffering a torn ACL and undergoing surgery in 2011 as a member of the Washington Redskins. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft.