There are solely 32 of those jobs on the earth, and only some of them open up annually. That alone makes it exhausting for anybody to show down any provide to change into an NFL head coach, particularly if they do not produce other choices.
However that does not imply each job is an efficient one. In truth, even the candidates know that a few of them are so much higher than others. Potential coaches (and their brokers) are usually in search of jobs that include supportive, however unintrusive homeowners, and groups with a stable base of expertise. A franchise quarterback can be normally an enormous want, too.
It is simply exhausting to search out all that in a workforce that seemingly misplaced sufficient to fireplace their final coach.
“Guys need these jobs, so it is exhausting to say no if any of them are supplied,” stated one NFL agent who represents an array of coaches. “However typically it’s a must to be choosy. You do not need it to be a ‘one-and-done’ state of affairs or a short-term catastrophe as a result of this is likely to be your solely probability. Each coach believes he can flip issues round, however it’s a must to ensure that the components for achievement are there.”
So of the NFL head teaching jobs presently out there, which of them have not less than a few of these components? And that are the roles that coaches with choices can be good to keep away from?
This is a rating of the presently out there head teaching jobs, with a have a look at the professionals and cons for every of them. An inventory of possible candidates for these openings are listed, too.
Execs: The presence of younger quarterback Drake Maye is likely to be the largest benefit right here after the promise he confirmed in his rookie season. There’s not a lot else on the roster, however it’s younger and within the very early phases of rebuilding, which can give a brand new coach an opportunity to form it his method. And it is going to be an enormous assist that they’re presently projected to have extra wage cap area than any workforce within the NFL in March — greater than $130 million, per OverTheCap.com.
Cons: The brand new coach will not be the successor to Invoice Belichick, however the shadow of one of many NFL’s best coaches is lengthy. Extra importantly, the expectations he established — being a perennial contender for 20 years — are nonetheless there. And whereas proprietor Robert Kraft is mostly revered and regarded unintrusive, he simply fired Jerod Mayo after just one 12 months. That is an indication of impatience that might be a pink flag.
Potential candidates: The overwhelming opinion contained in the NFL is that this job belongs to former Titans coach (and former Patriots linebacker) Mike Vrabel if he desires it. They may even interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is likely to be the one candidate who can problem Vrabel for the job. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury determine to be on an inventory that can absolutely prioritize earlier expertise.
Execs: Usually thought of essentially the most fascinating potential opening earlier than the Patriots joined the fray, the Jags provide a roster loaded with younger expertise, significantly on offense. All of it revolves round a younger franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence who’s signed long-term. They do not have a ton of cap room ($42 million), however additionally they haven’t got a ton of holes. Accidents and underachieving have been their concern. Proprietor Shahid Khan has proven he’ll do (and spend) what it takes to win. There is not any state tax in Florida, so there is a monetary bonus to working there. And whereas a brand new coach won’t be round lengthy sufficient to get pleasure from it, building on a brand new stadium in Jacksonville is ready to start in 2026.
Cons: If common supervisor Trent Baalke is not the least revered GM in NFL teaching circles, he is fairly shut. But Khan stated Baalke might be again in 2025. Even when the coach will now report on to Khan, Baalke’s presence is not a plus. Additionally, if that is the workforce most able to win now, the expectation might be to win now. There will not be a lot of a honeymoon. And coaches absolutely have seen this assortment of expertise has gone 5-18 over the past 13 months. There was additionally some alarming regression in Lawrence’s play this season.
Potential Candidates: This might lastly be the touchdown spot for Ben Johnson if he decides to depart Detroit. They will have a look at Mike Vrabel too, in fact. Brian Flores and Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy are anticipated to be candidates. If they don’t seem to be hung up on expertise, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver or Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen might be within the combine. A darkish horse to observe: Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy if he hits free company on Jan. 14.
Execs: They’ve the younger quarterback in place in Caleb Williams, final 12 months’s No. 1 general decide, and the league is bought on his expertise, though the manufacturing wasn’t all the time there. There’s additionally expertise round him, significantly with a robust receiving corps. And they’re projected to have about $80 million in wage cap area, so that they’ll be capable to add extra. The McCaskey household that owns the workforce usually stays out of the way in which and has proven endurance. A brand new coach virtually definitely can anticipate to final not less than three years. And the Bears are a flagship franchise within the NFL. That issues to some.
Cons: There is a feeling that there is a energy battle brewing within the entrance workplace between workforce president Kevin Warren and GM Ryan Poles. It is too simple for a coach to get caught in that form of crossfire. It would not assist that presently, 2025 is the final 12 months on Poles’ contract, which places a coach’s long-term job safety in query. And whereas coaches aren’t essentially going to draw back from this, the NFC North has change into a minefield, and the Lions, Vikings and Packers do not seem like they’ll fade a lot within the subsequent few years. That would make early success tough.
Potential candidates: Ben Johnson has lengthy been considered their prime goal, however they’re supposedly in search of a “chief” extra than simply an offensive thoughts. Johnson might match, however so does Anthony Weaver, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reportedly wants this job. Do not rule out former Commanders coach (and former Bears participant and assistant coach) Ron Rivera both.
Execs: Former GM Joe Douglas did not depart an entire mess. There’s plenty of expertise on this workforce. The protection is stacked with playmakers (DT Quinnen Williams, CB Sauce Gardner, and extra). They’ve two terrific younger talent gamers on offense too, in WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Corridor. There’s not a ton of cap room, however there are methods to clear extra with some older and expendable gamers. Proprietor Woody Johnson has definitely proven he is prepared to be daring and spend cash to deliver extra gamers in. And dealing in New York provides a really excessive profile, if a coach likes that form of factor.
Cons: The place to start? Begin with the actual fact there isn’t a franchise quarterback in place and no clear path to getting one. Bringing Aaron Rodgers again would create complications for a brand new workers, however even when they did, he is too outdated to construct round. With no QB there is a fear that a lot of the workforce’s younger expertise might be gone by the point the Jets are able to win. After which there’s Johnson, who has change into much more meddlesome in recent times. It is not simply the tales about his teenage son being concerned in choices or valuing gamers by their Madden rankings. It is how a lot he worries about what the media says about him and his workforce, and the way that shapes his course of. Oh, additionally there’s presently no common supervisor in place. That is a harmful unknown.
Potential candidates: They’ve already interviewed Mike Vrabel and Ron Rivera, they usually’re scheduled to satisfy with their former coach, Rex Ryan, this week. Their search is predicted to be expansive and heavy on (however not restricted to) skilled candidates. Count on Matt Nagy, Vance Joseph, Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Flores and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to be on the record. Aaron Glenn, a former Jet who’s well-respected within the group, will get an interview, too. They’re additionally planning to speak with Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen. They’ve even put in a request to interview Vikings quarterbacks coach (and former Jets QB) Josh McCown. And if Mike McCarthy shakes free, add him to the record, too.
Execs: They’ve an extremely loyal fan base and an ideal stadium. When issues are going properly, that mixture makes New Orleans one of many hardest locations for opponents to play. It’s going to additionally assist a brand new head coach that the NFC South is likely one of the NFL’s weakest divisions. It will not take a lot to get the Saints into the race. And proprietor Gayle Benson is not more likely to get entangled within the coach’s enterprise. She’s been recognized to point out endurance, too.
Cons: There’s not plenty of good on this growing old roster, which has large holes at practically each place. The most important, in fact, is at quarterback the place Derek Carr is 33 and signed by way of 2026 they usually’re most likely not selecting excessive sufficient within the draft (ninth) to search out his alternative. It is also all going to worsen, too, for the reason that Saints are projected to be $63 million over the cap, which implies they have plenty of chopping and restructuring to do within the coming months. The rebuild might be lengthy and it will be accomplished principally by GM Mickey Loomis, who has been working the soccer operation there for 25 years. If the brand new coach desires energy, he will not discover it right here.
Potential candidates: They are going to be occupied with Mike Vrabel, however it is going to be exhausting to promote him on this job. Aaron Glenn, a former Saints participant and assistant coach, most likely enters the fray as the favourite, if he desires this job. Brian Flores and Matt Nagy might be seemingly candidates, too. So will Payments offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who was as soon as the offensive coordinator at close by LSU. One intriguing candidate is former Stanford coach David Shaw, who will reportedly get an interview. NFL groups had been attempting to get him to leap to the professionals for years. Additionally, perhaps that is the place for former Bucs/Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who reportedly is already being pursued by a number of groups.
Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He spent the earlier six years masking the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years masking the Giants and the NFL for the New York Day by day Information. Observe him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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