Two groups, the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, have already fired their head coaches, they usually certainly gained’t be the final groups to make a change on the prime. That is shaping as much as be a star-studded hiring cycle with a mixture of confirmed candidates and up-and-coming expertise, which might result in possession teams performing a bit extra aggressively in the event that they imagine the grass is greener with coaches available on the market.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out 18 attainable candidates.
Present/former NFL head coaches
Invoice Belichick
The top coach of six Tremendous Bowl victories, Belichick is gearing as much as attempt to get yet another gig after an historic 24-year run with the New England Patriots. He’s received a number of of his prime lieutenants making ready to affix him, too, so Belichick’s workers might look awfully acquainted if he will get one other job.
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Belichick, who turns 73 in April, wants 15 wins to interrupt Don Shula’s document. He is likely to be an ideal candidate for a staff that has a gifted roster however wants a brand new voice, so the Dallas Cowboys have been pegged as an apparent match.
Wherever Belichick goes, the timetable is paramount for each side. Belichick gained’t need to take over a full rebuild, and the group must be comfy realizing he’d seemingly solely be there for a number of years.
The query is how a lot Belichick covets personnel management. Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones has stated quite a few instances that he’ll by no means rent a common supervisor, and there’s no approach he’d diminish Will McClay’s position. Belichick is likely to be OK with that construction in Dallas as a result of it’s been in place for thus lengthy. But when the Cowboys stick to Mike McCarthy or go in one other path, would Belichick be good with getting paired with a less-experienced GM?
Regardless, the hiring cycle will revolve round Belichick.
Mike Vrabel
Vrabel, who turns 50 in August, went 54-45 in six seasons with the Tennessee Titans earlier than he was fired after the 2023 season. It was mildly shocking Vrabel, at the moment with the Cleveland Browns as a training/personnel assistant, didn’t land a job on this previous cycle, so he’s anticipated to get a powerful look this time round.
The previous linebacker has a no-nonsense strategy that gamers have beloved. At their finest, the Titans have been bodily imposing, disciplined and basically sound due to Vrabel’s teaching fashion. He’s extra of a throwback in that sense, however he can relate to gamers as a result of he carried out at a excessive stage throughout his personal profession.
Vrabel can shortly set up a powerful tradition. He must be a high-priority candidate for a roster that’s already constructed to win.
Mike McCarthy
McCarthy is on an expiring contract with the Dallas Cowboys, which naturally makes him a free agent. However with the Cowboys badly underperforming, it is likely to be time for the 2 sides to go in a distinct path.
McCarthy, who coached the Inexperienced Bay Packers for 13 years earlier than his five-year stint with the Cowboys, might not be on many brief lists, however he might make sense for the New York Jets due to his historical past with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. There’s additionally no want to fret about the best way the 61-year-old would deal with the strain of the New York highlight, which is a essential persona trait for that media market.
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Brian Flores
It’s unclear if an proprietor would rent Flores after his lawsuit accused the league of racial discrimination, however the defensive mastermind has not less than labored himself again into the dialog because of an outstanding season because the defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings.
Flores, 43, made loads of errors throughout his three seasons teaching the Miami Dolphins. Groups will must be satisfied Flores realized from that point, notably along with his dealing with of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Flores is an extremely sensible soccer thoughts and a pure chief, however issues received away from him in Miami. If he’s softened his strategy, he is likely to be prepared for a second probability.
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Steve Spagnuolo
Spagnuolo turns 65 in December and hasn’t been a full-time head coach since his stint with the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11, so it’s attainable his time has handed. It’s additionally attainable Spagnuolo might be completely comfortable remaining because the architect of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs protection contemplating they’ll be annual Tremendous Bowl favorites for the foreseeable future.
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Spagnuolo is a powerful communicator with a heat persona who will get one of the best out of his gamers. He’s been a well-respected defensive coach for the higher a part of 20 years.
Maybe groups will take a look at Dan Quinn’s early success with the Washington Commanders and suppose Spagnuolo might be a comparable instance as a second-time head coach who would inject an expert mentality into the constructing.
Kliff Kingsbury
The Washington Commanders offensive coordinator is again within the highlight because of quarterback Jayden Daniels’ spectacular begin. Daniels, the runaway NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months favourite, has performed very effectively because the begin of the season, and Kingsbury’s play calling has been an integral piece of that equation.
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Kingsbury, 45, had a topsy-turvy four-year run because the Cardinals head coach. He was criticized for a scarcity of offensive changes because the season progressed, and it led to late-season dropping streaks every year on the job.
Kingsbury’s work with Murray and Daniels is sufficient to warrant an interview request. And whereas assembly with Kingsbury, groups want to find out if he has developed to the purpose the place he might be extra profitable as a second-time coach.
Vance Joseph
The 52-year-old Denver Broncos defensive coordinator seems prepared for a second head teaching alternative. He beforehand led the Broncos (2017-18) to an 11-21 document, though that staff was deep right into a rebuilding mode and never arrange for fulfillment.
Joseph has led the Broncos’ shocking defensive turnaround, because the group ranks fourth in factors allowed and fifth in yards. He’s a powerful chief and communicator who’s revered by his gamers. Joseph might convey a commanding presence to a staff in want of a tradition change.
Potential first-time NFL head coaches
Ben Johnson
The Lions offensive coordinator has been one of many hottest names over the previous two hiring cycles, and that’ll once more be the case in January. Nevertheless, there’s no assure he’ll depart Detroit.
Johnson, 38, is likely one of the league’s finest offensive minds, and he’s an elite play caller. He not solely helped revive Jared Goff’s profession but additionally turned him into one of many higher quarterbacks within the NFL. In an period when QB growth is extra precious than something, Johnson might be a prime candidate for any staff leaning towards an offensive-leaning coach.
One drawback: Groups are well-versed in Johnson’s selective strategy, and the Lions seem like on the verge of one other playoff run, which can restrict his interview availability.
Deion Sanders
The 57-year-old Colorado coach has stated he has no plans to depart for the NFL, however that gained’t forestall groups from making an attempt to line up an interview. The cash, the highlight and the correct alternative might be sufficient to sway Sanders. So, too, might a staff with a top-five choose and the chance to draft and coach his son Shedeur Sanders, the beginning quarterback at Colorado
Deion Sanders, a Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer, would command prompt credibility within the locker room. It’s honest to wonder if his fashion would work as effectively within the NFL because it has in school, however there’s no doubting his capacity to steer a program.
Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones could salivate over the chance to rent his former participant and welcome the advertising and marketing alternatives that include Sanders. Actually, any staff in a distinguished market searching for good PR would do effectively to focus on Sanders.
Sanders would want to point out that he can rent a strong workers, and he’d want a powerful common supervisor accountable for personnel. Staff constructing is so much totally different with out an countless provide of NIL cash.
There’d be threat concerned. But when it really works for Sanders within the NFL, groups might be kicking themselves for not going after him once they had the possibility.
Aaron Glenn
The Lions defensive coordinator has had a powerful popularity across the league whereas working his approach up the ranks over the previous decade. The previous cornerback had a adorned 15-year NFL profession earlier than he began teaching.
There’s already loads of hypothesis Glenn will get a glance with the New Orleans Saints, as he performed his remaining season there in 2008 and labored below Sean Payton for 5 years. Basic supervisor Mickey Loomis and key entrance workplace personnel from the Payton period stay within the constructing, in order that they’re aware of Glenn. His changes after dropping star go rusher Aidan Hutchinson, notably because the Lions shut down the Houston Texans throughout their wild comeback, will work within the 52-year-old’s favor.
The query is whether or not the Saints need one other Payton disciple after Dennis Allen’s firing or in the event that they’ll search a distinct fashion.
Aaron Glenn is aware of his name sheet just like the again of his hand. 😅 pic.twitter.com/Bwz0IrRMd5
— Sunday Night time Soccer on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 11, 2024
Zac Robinson
The Falcons offensive coordinator is a first-time play caller this season, they usually’ve gotten improved manufacturing out of working again Bijan Robinson, huge receiver Drake London and tight finish Kyle Pitts regardless of quarterback Kirk Cousins getting back from a torn Achilles.
Zac Robinson, 38, was Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris’ best choice at OC, as they labored collectively for the earlier three years with the Los Angeles Rams. However past that, Morris knew Robinson could be a head coach in very brief order, so there’s been an emphasis on growing the remainder of the offensive workers for his inevitable departure.
Robinson is prepared for a prime job. He’s broadly believed to be the subsequent Sean McVay disciple to take over his personal program.
Bobby Slowik
The Texans offensive coordinator had a quick rise in 2023 as the person behind C.J. Stroud’s growth. He’s seen across the league as play caller who wowed his friends with an incredible recreation plan throughout their playoff victory in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.
The Texans offense hasn’t precisely been a fireworks present this season, so the hype round him has died down a bit, but when Houston wins the AFC South and shines within the postseason, it might simply dial proper again up.
Slowik, 37, is a Kyle Shanahan disciple who truly coached on protection when he arrived in San Francisco in 2017. However Slowik was promoted to the 49ers’ passing recreation coordinator by 2022 earlier than he received his first crack at calling performs final 12 months with the Texans.
Slowik deserves an interview from any staff searching for a brand new offensive strategy.
Liam Coen
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is taking part in one of the best soccer of his profession for the first-year Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator. They hit it off so effectively along with the Rams in 2022 that Mayfield personally helped recruit Coen to the Bucs final offseason, which speaks to the OC’s capacity to attach along with his gamers.
Coen, 39, bounced across the New England school teaching circuit earlier than McVay employed him in 2018. He had two one-year stints as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator (2021, 2023) that bookended his season as McVay’s OC. Now a full-time play caller for the primary time within the NFL, Coen has impressed these across the league along with his creativity and really feel for the sport whereas designing performs with a goal. Tampa’s offense is fifth within the NFL proper now, placing up 27 factors per recreation.
Coen is inexperienced on the interview circuit, so he is likely to be not less than a 12 months away from a head teaching provide. However he ought to garner interview requests, notably after Dave Canales turned his one season with the Bucs into the Carolina Panthers’ prime job — and the Bucs offense has been higher in 2024.
Drew Petzing
The Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator has gotten one of the best out of Kyler Murray, and rival coaches and executives have been impressed with Petzing’s work for the previous couple of seasons.
Petzing, 37, labored below offensive coordinators Norv Turner, Pat Shurmur, John DeFilippo and Kevin Stefanski throughout his six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings earlier than becoming a member of Stefanski with the Cleveland Browns.
Petzing was considerably of an unknown commodity when he joined the Cardinals, however they’re an up-and-coming staff that’s been well-coached below Jonathan Gannon. It’s solely a matter of time earlier than groups interview Petzing to get an extended take a look at his head teaching potential.
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Frank Smith
The Dolphins offensive coordinator has accomplished strong work for head coach Mike McDaniel. Smith, 43, has labored for a lot of forms of head coaches, together with Payton, Jon Gruden and Brandon Staley, so he’s been influenced by a mixture of philosophies.
Smith has numerous allies across the league due to his capacity to domesticate relationships with coaches and gamers alike. He’s had a novel journey with humble aspirations, which is partly why his supporters have beamed with delight over his ascension.
Smith hasn’t earned numerous shine as a result of McDaniel is the face of the Dolphins’ offense, however the coordinator might convey that flare to a brand new group. Smith is a high-level trainer and communicator, and people qualities will present if he’s invited for interviews.
Jesse Minter
The 41-year-old Chargers defensive coordinator labored for John Harbaugh for 4 seasons (2017-20) with the Baltimore Ravens earlier than linking up with Jim Harbaugh over the past three seasons with Michigan and Los Angeles. Minter has been round numerous high quality teaching over these stretches.
He’s seen as a pacesetter who relates effectively to everybody within the constructing, and he’s accountable for a gaggle that’s allowed the fewest factors within the NFL this season. He’s anticipated to attract interview requests in January.
Jesse Minter had Mahomes guessing– that is arduous to do. pic.twitter.com/zY9d76rgIW
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 18, 2024
Todd Monken
The 58-year-old Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator has by no means been a head coach on the NFL stage, however he did lead a reasonably unimaginable turnaround because the boss at Southern Miss from 2013-15, turning a winless program in 2012 right into a Convention USA championship recreation look in simply three years.
Extra notably, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has performed at an elite stage throughout his two seasons with Monken, profitable MVP in 2023 and main the race by a large margin once more this season.
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Monken won’t ship the identical sizzle because the youthful offensive minds who’ve been in vogue over the previous decade, nevertheless it’d be malpractice to miss his outcomes.
Joe Brady
The Buffalo Payments offensive coordinator has gone by means of fairly a bit over the previous 5 years.
He was seen as the subsequent wunderkind after guiding quarterback Joe Burrow and LSU to a historic offensive output throughout the 2019 nationwide championship run, and the Carolina Panthers scooped him up as their OC the next season. That experiment failed, however hindsight has since indicated that it was extra concerning the group than Brady.
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He joined the Payments workers in 2022 and was promoted to offensive coordinator halfway by means of 2023, placing extra emphasis on the bottom recreation, which helped spark quarterback Josh Allen’s midseason revival.
With the Payments again in competition and the offense scoring the third-most factors within the league, the 35-year-old Brady ought to get some interview requests.
(Picture of Invoice Belichick and Mike Vrabel: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com by way of Imagn Photographs)
