Hastur
Footballguy
They have also requested an interview with Mike McCarthy.
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2025 NFL Coaching Carousel & Front Office changes (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
Source is probably trace Armstrong’s burner telling the Vikings to give my ****ing guy an extension now
Hankmoody
Footballguy
Glazer's a moron. No way MIN even considers trading him.
Dizzy
Footballguy
The Bears will be dumb if they don't bring in an offensive minded HC to help Caleb take a step forward.x.com
x.com
What if...
Bears sign Ben Johnson to the big contract to be the offensive coordinator... with the understanding that it is a 1-2 assignment... afterwhich he will be elevated to head coach when "new" HC Pete Carroll retires?
fatness
Footballguy
Hankmoody
Footballguy
Huh? Why wouldn't they just hire him as HC?
Dizzy
Footballguy
Thinking is that spending 1 year (2 tops) as OC working closely w/ Caleb Williams could unlock his full potential. I think a young QB needs that attention and relationship to "get it"... would be a new offense, needs time and patience. A year or two in the same system and then Johnson elevates to HC and Williams can take it from there. I could see Carroll embracing this as well... giving it a year (or two) to help turn around a franchise like Chicago.
I think the role of HC, especially a new HC, requires so much time and delegation that it would be difficult to build that close relationship and understanding between Johnson and Williams. Also, much like QB prospects, there's no guarantee that a great OC translates into great HC.
I would point to NYJ as a good example of what not to do with the HC position... they fire Saleh... promote the DC to HC... and the defense completely falls apart.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
[NO]The Bears will be dumb if they don't bring in an offensive minded HC to help Caleb take a step forward.x.com
What if...
Bears sign Ben Johnson to the big contract to be the offensive coordinator... with the understanding that it is a 1-2 assignment... afterwhich he will be elevated to head coach when "new" HC Pete Carroll retires?
Johnson can (and probably already has) the big money contract from DET. He won't move from that position unless it's a head coaching gig. He stayed in Detroit last year amid several HC offers because it wasn't the right fit. We'll see how 2025 goes.
steelcityman
Footballguy
I keep seeing requests to interview Artie Smith for a HC gig. Ok, he has HC experience, got the Steelers O moving a little bit better this year, won with Henry in TENN, but if you want him, just trade for Tomlin. Tomlin runs the whole organization, he might as well be the owner and CEO, GM, HC, OC, DC.
I wonder if guys like this are just better off staying as the OC. There are many times that OC's move on to HC and suck at it because they are too wrapped up in their particular specialty. They have a hard time letting go to do the overall job of the entire team. This seems to happen more often with the guru type coordinators that are just immersed into their specialty.
I mean Detroit is a pretty good spot right now. You don't have the pressure of the HC responsibilities and you can continue to innovate and do what you love. Seems like a win-win to me. I mean would it be really all that good to go to Jacksonville or the Raiders with those mess of a franchise?
everyone is doing just great. keep up the good work.
zamboni
Footballguy
Hu-Tang Clan
Footballguy
Raiders fired HC Pierce.
Schoen makes more sense to me. They kept Daboll, they are trusting the process. Time will tell if they'll regret that, but its at least a plan.x.com
The Jags have no idea what they are doing, and Baalke has been a failure ever since the 49ers stupidly chose him over Harbaugh.
Maybe I'm a jaded Bears fan, but I'd rank them:
1. Patriots (got the QB, NFL's most cap space, great young CB, easier division)
2. Bears (got the QB, 5th in cap space, tied to Poles, tougher division)
3. Saints (patient owner, easy division, poor cap situation, veteran team)
4. Jaguars (tied to Baalke, Lawrence is a question mark, easiest division, middling cap space)
5. Jets (no QB, not much cap space, some good young players on both sides, easier division, bad owner)
6. Raiders (no QB, 2nd most cap space, hard division, bad owner)
BlackCrowes
Footballguy
i like Jags over Saints, but other than that agree. That cap situation in New Orleans is absurd.
Seems we're not too far off here. Bears are literally a good coach plus a few pieces away from being really good. Pats are further away than that. I also really dislike the Saints cap situation and lack of qb of the future.
I'm shocked that Arizona didn't fire Petzing. Even more shocked that apparently, he's getting some HC interviews. He's a bad OC.
While I don't think he's the favorite, I'd actually like Todd Monken for the Bears, if they can't get Ben Johnson.
Bengals firing Lou Anarumo made sense. I could see that being an Eberflus landing spot, as while a bad HC, he can call a defense pretty well.
I thought the Browns firing Dorsey was unwarranted. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I'd be thrilled to land Dorsey as a QB coach.
Gus Bradley should have been fired after making Drew Lock look like Drew Brees. I wonder if Dennis Allen resurfaces there.
Liam Coen makes so much sense for the Jags, that I doubt they'll do it.
A little surprised the Raiders fired Pierce. Just general disarray in Vegas. I'd imagine they'll hire someone nobody else wants, or some unknown. I'd be excited to have Pierce on a staff.
I think McCarthy and McDaniel fall into the same boat, where they were missing their QBs for big chunks, and were consistently playoff level before this year, hard to let either go, even if some fans want it.
I don't think its what they'll do, but I really like Kellen Moore for New England. A young offensive guru, former QB, to develop Maye.
I like a guy like Mike Vrabel for New Orleans. Just bring some attitude and some consistency. I don't think they need a full rebuild. They might have won the division had the entire offense not gotten hurt. I think Vrabel>Glenn personally.
Jets seem to want someone with previous HC experience. Rex Ryan would be a joke (Art Shell 2.0?) as would many (most?) of the candidates they requested interviews for. If prior HC is a prerequisite, maybe Kliff Kingsbury deserves another shot? If previous experience isn't a prerequisite, Aaron Glenn makes sense.
Seattle firing Grubb was a surprise. He seemed like he was on the fast track to potential future HC. I didn't think he did great this year, but its not his fault they had no OL. I'd like to see him as an OC elsewhere.
While I don't think he's the favorite, I'd actually like Todd Monken for the Bears, if they can't get Ben Johnson.
Bengals firing Lou Anarumo made sense. I could see that being an Eberflus landing spot, as while a bad HC, he can call a defense pretty well.
I thought the Browns firing Dorsey was unwarranted. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I'd be thrilled to land Dorsey as a QB coach.
Gus Bradley should have been fired after making Drew Lock look like Drew Brees. I wonder if Dennis Allen resurfaces there.
Liam Coen makes so much sense for the Jags, that I doubt they'll do it.
A little surprised the Raiders fired Pierce. Just general disarray in Vegas. I'd imagine they'll hire someone nobody else wants, or some unknown. I'd be excited to have Pierce on a staff.
I think McCarthy and McDaniel fall into the same boat, where they were missing their QBs for big chunks, and were consistently playoff level before this year, hard to let either go, even if some fans want it.
I don't think its what they'll do, but I really like Kellen Moore for New England. A young offensive guru, former QB, to develop Maye.
I like a guy like Mike Vrabel for New Orleans. Just bring some attitude and some consistency. I don't think they need a full rebuild. They might have won the division had the entire offense not gotten hurt. I think Vrabel>Glenn personally.
Jets seem to want someone with previous HC experience. Rex Ryan would be a joke (Art Shell 2.0?) as would many (most?) of the candidates they requested interviews for. If prior HC is a prerequisite, maybe Kliff Kingsbury deserves another shot? If previous experience isn't a prerequisite, Aaron Glenn makes sense.
Seattle firing Grubb was a surprise. He seemed like he was on the fast track to potential future HC. I didn't think he did great this year, but its not his fault they had no OL. I'd like to see him as an OC elsewhere.
Zow
Footballguy
What makes no sense to me here is if the Pats knew they were going to fire Mayo, then why wait until after a massive game for the franchise where Mayo, uncertain about his status, may think he's coaching for his job (or thereby possibly trying to win the game and cost the Pats real valuable draft capital)?x.com
RaidersAreOne
Footballguy
Thank you lord, AP is gone.
A good argument for not letting the players have an input on coaching hires. Crosby is better at football than being a GM.
Donny Loved Bowling
Footballguy
ZERO chance they consider flipping KOC for a first, then elevating Flores to HC?Glazer's a moron. No way MIN even considers trading him.
Seems like it would be worth considering.
Chaka
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Taking a deeper look at the NFL’s Six Coaching Vacancies as Detroit Lions’ Coordinators draw heavy interest
Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network
Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network
Allen Park - For the third consecutive offseason, Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are drawing heavy interest for the league's head coaching vacancies.
After the initial wave of interviews each of the past two years, Johnson has withdrawn his name from consideration. His meteoric rise arguably left him unprepared to make the leap in 2023, but his decision to return to the Lions this season was a genuine surprise. And while fans wish he would stick around forever, he admitted last month he has a lingering desire to be a head coach.
“Yeah, I'd say this, I think there's a burning desire in every man to find what he's made out of and push the limits to see if he's got what it takes,” Johnson said. “Yeah, there's a fire there. When that time is, I don't know when that would be, but there's certainly a fire there.”
After last year, it’s difficult to predict whether this will be the right time. It’s conceivable a Super Bowl victory could be a tipping point. Regardless, after engineering potent offenses the past three seasons, he’s earned the right to be selective. Given many coaches only get one shot to get it right, it’s a wise approach.
As for Glenn, there have been minimal concerns about his ability to lead, rather, he's previously been anchored by his unit's limited production. Heading an overhaul of Detroit’s defense upon his arrival in 2021, the unit’s turnaround took longer than the rest of the rebuild, finishing 31st, 28th and 23rd in scoring the past three seasons. That’s tough to sell to a fan base when hiring a head coach.
But Glenn’s ability to navigate the loss of several starters this season — including potential Defensive Player of the Year Aidan Hutchinson — while leading the Lions to a top-10 finish in points and several statistical categories, has solidified his candidacy.
“He’s as good a coach as you’re going to find, “ Lions coach Campbell said on Tuesday. “He’s an even better human being. Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him again. I can tell you that right now. The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous. I mean, this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams. He knows how to communicate. He understands discipline of players and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring.”
Currently, four of six teams looking for a new coach have requested to talk to Johnson.
Meanwhile, five — all but the New England Patriots — have asked to talk to Glenn.
Avoiding arbitrary rankings of those six vacancies, let’s look at what each job offers their next potential coach.
Chicago Bears
Projected cap space: $80.1M
2025 draft assets: No. 10 pick, extra second-rounder, no fourth-rounder
Quarterback: Caleb Williams
GM: Ryan Poles
Ownership: Virginia McCaskey
The Bears missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, and the franchise's drought without a postseason victory extends to 2010. They’ve had five coaches during that stretch, or six if you’d like to include current interim Thomas Brown for effect.
With the roster, the Bears unquestionably have some intriguing talent, led by their quarterback, Williams, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. There’s needed development, but anyone who got eyes on him during his rookie year could see his lofty potential. Add that to some quality pass catchers, a handful of young and talented offensive linemen, and some high-caliber defensive backs, and you have a strong foundation for an incoming coach to work with.
Plus, with a healthy cap situation and three draft picks in the top 50 this April, the Bears are in a good position to further strengthen its personnel.
Remember, Chicago was more competitive than their 5-12 record suggests. They lost on a Hail Mary to Washington, had a potential game-winning field goal blocked against Green Bay, took Minnesota to overtime, and were undone by clock management issues on multiple occasions. With the right coach, who can tighten up the operation and move toward maximizing Williams’ potential, there’s good reason to believe the Bears could push for a postseason spot in 2025, mirroring the Commanders' turnaround under Dan Quinn this season.
The biggest question for Chicago’s next coach will be the franchise's leadership structure. General manager Ryan Poles is returning, and leading the search for the next head coach. Still, team president Kevin Warren has enough sway with ownership to be a constant threat to having a unified front.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected cap space: $42.9M
2025 draft assets: No. 5 pick, extra third- and fourth-round pick
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
GM: Trent Baalke
Ownership: Shad Khan
Throughout the franchise’s history, Jacksonville has struggled to maintain success beyond brief stretches. Qualifying for the playoffs four consecutive years shortly after being added as an expansion team in 1995, the Jaguars haven’t experienced back-to-back postseason berths since.
The Jaguars looked poised to take off under Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson, winning their division in 2022, and jumping out to an 8-3 start the following year. But a 5-18 slide in the past 23 games has led to another change in leadership. This will be the team’s sixth coaching hire since parting with Jack Del Rio in 2011.
Like the Bears, the Jaguars have a quarterback in place. It’s easy to forget, but Lawrence was viewed by many analysts as the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck when the Jaguars selected their current signal-caller No. 1 overall out of Clemson in 2021.
And it’s not just Lawrence. Jacksonville offers a budding star at wide receiver in Brian Thomas, a high-ceiling backfield tandem in Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, promising blindside blocker Walker Little, and a pair of talented edge rushers with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
The biggest issues might be a somewhat apathetic fan base — demonstrated by the team’s annual trips overseas — and a GM in Baalke who doesn’t have a stellar reputation around the league. Of course, Khan openly said this week — with Baalke on the call — that ownership could be swayed if their next coaching hire offered a compelling reason to make a change.
Las Vegas Raiders
Projected cap space: $107.3 M
Draft assets: No. 6 pick, extra third-rounder
Quarterback: Aidan O'Connell
GM: Tom Telesco
Ownership: Mark Davis
One of the league’s iconic franchises, the Raiders haven’t tasted postseason success since 2002, nearly a decade before longtime owner Al Davis passed away.
Now in Las Vegas, with legendary quarterback Tom Brady part of the ownership group, the Raiders are looking for a coach capable of elevating them back among the league’s elite franchises.
The cupboards aren’t bare, but there’s more roster-building required here than with some of the other vacancies. At the very least, the team has one of the league’s best defensive players in edge rusher Maxx Crosby, as well as Brock Bowers, the record-setting rookie tight end. Offensive tackle Kolton Miller and center/guard Jackson Powers-Johnson also offer a solid foundation along the offensive line.
Of course, there can be a lot of appeal to a near-total rebuild. Generally, a new coach will get a longer leash as the roster is reshaped in their vision.
Telesco has had a lot of success finding value at the top of the draft during his time with the Chargers. More than anything, he needs to find a quarterback similar to his selection of Justin Herbert in 2020. The Raiders aren’t going anywhere without finding a solution at that position.
With the third-round pick the team picked up by shipping receiver Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders are poised to select four times in the top 75 this offseason.
After the initial wave of interviews each of the past two years, Johnson has withdrawn his name from consideration. His meteoric rise arguably left him unprepared to make the leap in 2023, but his decision to return to the Lions this season was a genuine surprise. And while fans wish he would stick around forever, he admitted last month he has a lingering desire to be a head coach.
“Yeah, I'd say this, I think there's a burning desire in every man to find what he's made out of and push the limits to see if he's got what it takes,” Johnson said. “Yeah, there's a fire there. When that time is, I don't know when that would be, but there's certainly a fire there.”
After last year, it’s difficult to predict whether this will be the right time. It’s conceivable a Super Bowl victory could be a tipping point. Regardless, after engineering potent offenses the past three seasons, he’s earned the right to be selective. Given many coaches only get one shot to get it right, it’s a wise approach.
As for Glenn, there have been minimal concerns about his ability to lead, rather, he's previously been anchored by his unit's limited production. Heading an overhaul of Detroit’s defense upon his arrival in 2021, the unit’s turnaround took longer than the rest of the rebuild, finishing 31st, 28th and 23rd in scoring the past three seasons. That’s tough to sell to a fan base when hiring a head coach.
But Glenn’s ability to navigate the loss of several starters this season — including potential Defensive Player of the Year Aidan Hutchinson — while leading the Lions to a top-10 finish in points and several statistical categories, has solidified his candidacy.
“He’s as good a coach as you’re going to find, “ Lions coach Campbell said on Tuesday. “He’s an even better human being. Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him again. I can tell you that right now. The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous. I mean, this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams. He knows how to communicate. He understands discipline of players and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring.”
Currently, four of six teams looking for a new coach have requested to talk to Johnson.
Meanwhile, five — all but the New England Patriots — have asked to talk to Glenn.
Avoiding arbitrary rankings of those six vacancies, let’s look at what each job offers their next potential coach.
Chicago Bears
Projected cap space: $80.1M
2025 draft assets: No. 10 pick, extra second-rounder, no fourth-rounder
Quarterback: Caleb Williams
GM: Ryan Poles
Ownership: Virginia McCaskey
The Bears missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, and the franchise's drought without a postseason victory extends to 2010. They’ve had five coaches during that stretch, or six if you’d like to include current interim Thomas Brown for effect.
With the roster, the Bears unquestionably have some intriguing talent, led by their quarterback, Williams, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. There’s needed development, but anyone who got eyes on him during his rookie year could see his lofty potential. Add that to some quality pass catchers, a handful of young and talented offensive linemen, and some high-caliber defensive backs, and you have a strong foundation for an incoming coach to work with.
Plus, with a healthy cap situation and three draft picks in the top 50 this April, the Bears are in a good position to further strengthen its personnel.
Remember, Chicago was more competitive than their 5-12 record suggests. They lost on a Hail Mary to Washington, had a potential game-winning field goal blocked against Green Bay, took Minnesota to overtime, and were undone by clock management issues on multiple occasions. With the right coach, who can tighten up the operation and move toward maximizing Williams’ potential, there’s good reason to believe the Bears could push for a postseason spot in 2025, mirroring the Commanders' turnaround under Dan Quinn this season.
The biggest question for Chicago’s next coach will be the franchise's leadership structure. General manager Ryan Poles is returning, and leading the search for the next head coach. Still, team president Kevin Warren has enough sway with ownership to be a constant threat to having a unified front.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected cap space: $42.9M
2025 draft assets: No. 5 pick, extra third- and fourth-round pick
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
GM: Trent Baalke
Ownership: Shad Khan
Throughout the franchise’s history, Jacksonville has struggled to maintain success beyond brief stretches. Qualifying for the playoffs four consecutive years shortly after being added as an expansion team in 1995, the Jaguars haven’t experienced back-to-back postseason berths since.
The Jaguars looked poised to take off under Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson, winning their division in 2022, and jumping out to an 8-3 start the following year. But a 5-18 slide in the past 23 games has led to another change in leadership. This will be the team’s sixth coaching hire since parting with Jack Del Rio in 2011.
Like the Bears, the Jaguars have a quarterback in place. It’s easy to forget, but Lawrence was viewed by many analysts as the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck when the Jaguars selected their current signal-caller No. 1 overall out of Clemson in 2021.
And it’s not just Lawrence. Jacksonville offers a budding star at wide receiver in Brian Thomas, a high-ceiling backfield tandem in Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, promising blindside blocker Walker Little, and a pair of talented edge rushers with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
The biggest issues might be a somewhat apathetic fan base — demonstrated by the team’s annual trips overseas — and a GM in Baalke who doesn’t have a stellar reputation around the league. Of course, Khan openly said this week — with Baalke on the call — that ownership could be swayed if their next coaching hire offered a compelling reason to make a change.
Las Vegas Raiders
Projected cap space: $107.3 M
Draft assets: No. 6 pick, extra third-rounder
Quarterback: Aidan O'Connell
GM: Tom Telesco
Ownership: Mark Davis
One of the league’s iconic franchises, the Raiders haven’t tasted postseason success since 2002, nearly a decade before longtime owner Al Davis passed away.
Now in Las Vegas, with legendary quarterback Tom Brady part of the ownership group, the Raiders are looking for a coach capable of elevating them back among the league’s elite franchises.
The cupboards aren’t bare, but there’s more roster-building required here than with some of the other vacancies. At the very least, the team has one of the league’s best defensive players in edge rusher Maxx Crosby, as well as Brock Bowers, the record-setting rookie tight end. Offensive tackle Kolton Miller and center/guard Jackson Powers-Johnson also offer a solid foundation along the offensive line.
Of course, there can be a lot of appeal to a near-total rebuild. Generally, a new coach will get a longer leash as the roster is reshaped in their vision.
Telesco has had a lot of success finding value at the top of the draft during his time with the Chargers. More than anything, he needs to find a quarterback similar to his selection of Justin Herbert in 2020. The Raiders aren’t going anywhere without finding a solution at that position.
With the third-round pick the team picked up by shipping receiver Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders are poised to select four times in the top 75 this offseason.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Taking a deeper look at the NFL’s Six Coaching Vacancies as Detroit Lions’ Coordinators draw heavy interest
Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network
Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network
New England Patriots
Projected cap space: $131.7M
2025 draft assets: No. 4 pick, extra third-rounder
Quarterback: Drake Maye
GM: Eliot Wolf
Ownership: Robert Kraft
Speaking of near-total rebuilds.
After a long run at the top, the post-Brady/Belichick Patriots are a lump of clay ready to be molded by new leadership. And the assets are there to do it. They have more projected cap space than any team to go with a top-five draft pick.
And while not every new coach loves the idea of inheriting a quarterback, few will shy away from working with one as promising as Maye, the No. 3 in last year’s draft who showed plenty of potential as a 12-game starter in 2024.
Beyond Maye, there admittedly isn’t much on the roster to generate excitement. Cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones are nice chips on defense. Otherwise, the team could stand to upgrade just about everywhere else.
They should probably put an emphasis on getting Maye some help this offseason, whether his protection or his pass-catching options. Preferably both, if we’re being honest.
Obviously, the next coach in New England will be well-supported by one of the league’s best owners. And Wolf, despite his relative inexperience in the GM chair, has been long groomed for this position as a talent evaluator in both New England and Green Bay.
Yes, there's a long shadow cast by Belichick’s legacy, but Jarod Mayo’s one-year stint provides a buffer for the next hire, showing the road back to the top of the mountain won’t be easy.
New Orleans Saints
Projected cap space: -($66.8M)
2025 draft assets: No. 9 pick, extra third- and fourth-rounder
Quarterback: Derek Carr/Spencer Rattler
GM: Micky Loomis
Ownership: Gayle Benson
The Saints had quite a run of success with the coach/QB combination of Sean Payton and Drew Brees. That tandem netted seven division titles, nine playoff appearances and a Super Bowl championship.
Brees retired after the 2020 season and Payton followed his QB out the door a year later, likely seeing the writing on the wall. The coach would later come out of retirement to be traded to the Denver Broncos, leading his new team to the playoffs in his second season.
New Orleans, meanwhile, hovered around .500 until the wheels fell off this season. Getting the franchise on track won’t be easy. The team’s cap situation continues to be the league’s worst. After years of kicking the can down the road to remain competitive, the Saints are more than $60 million over the projected cap entering the offseason and desperately need to pull the Band-Aid and reboot their books.
That should start with finding another quarterback. Carr was long underrated, and he put up decent numbers when healthy last season, but the Saints will struggle to move forward paying the soon-to-be 34-year-old $50 million in 2025.
It’s difficult to suggest Rattler is the solution. Regardless, with the No. 9 pick in a draft that’s considered light on potential franchise passers, it might be best to embrace sinking to the bottom in 2025 to set up long-term success.
If the Saints do it right and strip things down to the studs, they’ll need a patient teacher and culture-builder for the rebound to come. Beyond his ties to the organization as both a player and assistant coach, it's why many, including Brees, have eyed Glenn as the man for the job.
New York Jets
Projected cap space: $29.4M
2025 draft assets: No. 7 pick
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
GM: Vacant
Ownership: Woody Johnson
The Jets vacancy is another daunting job with plenty working against the next coach.
It starts with the quarterback position. The situation with Rodgers has to be considered untenable for many prospective candidates. The future Hall of Famer’s play has sharply declined and doesn’t match the perceived control he’s wielded with the roster’s construction since his arrival.
On top of that, you have a meddling owner who reportedly nixed a potential trade because of the player’s rating in the Madden video game series. Even if there’s some hyperbole to that report, it’s rarely a positive when ownership is involved in the football decisions. You’ve got to let your GM do their thing.
Beyond the QB situation, the Jets have some promising young talent. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are ultra-talented offensive weapons, and the same can be said for Will McDonald IV, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams on the defensive side of things. That softens the blow of not having significant cap space, which worsens if you have to eat a significant dead-money hit to dump Rodgers.
As noted with the Raiders, this probably isn’t the draft to find the long-term answer at QB, at least not picking No. 7 overall. But will all that young talent, many nearing second contracts, tolerate another dismal season in hopes of finding a quarterback in 2026? It will likely take a strong coach to keep that locker room together, particularly in that market.
Projected cap space: $131.7M
2025 draft assets: No. 4 pick, extra third-rounder
Quarterback: Drake Maye
GM: Eliot Wolf
Ownership: Robert Kraft
Speaking of near-total rebuilds.
After a long run at the top, the post-Brady/Belichick Patriots are a lump of clay ready to be molded by new leadership. And the assets are there to do it. They have more projected cap space than any team to go with a top-five draft pick.
And while not every new coach loves the idea of inheriting a quarterback, few will shy away from working with one as promising as Maye, the No. 3 in last year’s draft who showed plenty of potential as a 12-game starter in 2024.
Beyond Maye, there admittedly isn’t much on the roster to generate excitement. Cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones are nice chips on defense. Otherwise, the team could stand to upgrade just about everywhere else.
They should probably put an emphasis on getting Maye some help this offseason, whether his protection or his pass-catching options. Preferably both, if we’re being honest.
Obviously, the next coach in New England will be well-supported by one of the league’s best owners. And Wolf, despite his relative inexperience in the GM chair, has been long groomed for this position as a talent evaluator in both New England and Green Bay.
Yes, there's a long shadow cast by Belichick’s legacy, but Jarod Mayo’s one-year stint provides a buffer for the next hire, showing the road back to the top of the mountain won’t be easy.
New Orleans Saints
Projected cap space: -($66.8M)
2025 draft assets: No. 9 pick, extra third- and fourth-rounder
Quarterback: Derek Carr/Spencer Rattler
GM: Micky Loomis
Ownership: Gayle Benson
The Saints had quite a run of success with the coach/QB combination of Sean Payton and Drew Brees. That tandem netted seven division titles, nine playoff appearances and a Super Bowl championship.
Brees retired after the 2020 season and Payton followed his QB out the door a year later, likely seeing the writing on the wall. The coach would later come out of retirement to be traded to the Denver Broncos, leading his new team to the playoffs in his second season.
New Orleans, meanwhile, hovered around .500 until the wheels fell off this season. Getting the franchise on track won’t be easy. The team’s cap situation continues to be the league’s worst. After years of kicking the can down the road to remain competitive, the Saints are more than $60 million over the projected cap entering the offseason and desperately need to pull the Band-Aid and reboot their books.
That should start with finding another quarterback. Carr was long underrated, and he put up decent numbers when healthy last season, but the Saints will struggle to move forward paying the soon-to-be 34-year-old $50 million in 2025.
It’s difficult to suggest Rattler is the solution. Regardless, with the No. 9 pick in a draft that’s considered light on potential franchise passers, it might be best to embrace sinking to the bottom in 2025 to set up long-term success.
If the Saints do it right and strip things down to the studs, they’ll need a patient teacher and culture-builder for the rebound to come. Beyond his ties to the organization as both a player and assistant coach, it's why many, including Brees, have eyed Glenn as the man for the job.
New York Jets
Projected cap space: $29.4M
2025 draft assets: No. 7 pick
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
GM: Vacant
Ownership: Woody Johnson
The Jets vacancy is another daunting job with plenty working against the next coach.
It starts with the quarterback position. The situation with Rodgers has to be considered untenable for many prospective candidates. The future Hall of Famer’s play has sharply declined and doesn’t match the perceived control he’s wielded with the roster’s construction since his arrival.
On top of that, you have a meddling owner who reportedly nixed a potential trade because of the player’s rating in the Madden video game series. Even if there’s some hyperbole to that report, it’s rarely a positive when ownership is involved in the football decisions. You’ve got to let your GM do their thing.
Beyond the QB situation, the Jets have some promising young talent. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are ultra-talented offensive weapons, and the same can be said for Will McDonald IV, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams on the defensive side of things. That softens the blow of not having significant cap space, which worsens if you have to eat a significant dead-money hit to dump Rodgers.
As noted with the Raiders, this probably isn’t the draft to find the long-term answer at QB, at least not picking No. 7 overall. But will all that young talent, many nearing second contracts, tolerate another dismal season in hopes of finding a quarterback in 2026? It will likely take a strong coach to keep that locker room together, particularly in that market.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
ZeroZERO chance they consider flipping KOC for a first, then elevating Flores to HC?Glazer's a moron. No way MIN even considers trading him.
Seems like it would be worth considering.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
The New Orleans Saints have a long list of candidates they would like to interview for their next head coach. Drew Brees, the franchise's all-time passing leader and future Hall of Famer, already gave his input on who he wants as the team's next head coach.
"The first guy who comes to my mind is Aaron Glenn," Brees told USA Today's Saints Wire. "Arguably, one of the greatest defensive backs to ever play the game. I played against him, I was a teammate of his too. He's a leader of men. He garners a ton of respect. He knows the game. He is highly competitive."
Glenn is one of the candidates for the Saints head coaching job, and the former NFL cornerback already has connections to the organization. In addition to playing for the Saints, Glenn was the defensive backs coach for the Saints when Brees was the quarterback. He left New Orleans to become the Lions defensive coordinator in 2021.
"The first guy who comes to my mind is Aaron Glenn," Brees told USA Today's Saints Wire. "Arguably, one of the greatest defensive backs to ever play the game. I played against him, I was a teammate of his too. He's a leader of men. He garners a ton of respect. He knows the game. He is highly competitive."
Glenn is one of the candidates for the Saints head coaching job, and the former NFL cornerback already has connections to the organization. In addition to playing for the Saints, Glenn was the defensive backs coach for the Saints when Brees was the quarterback. He left New Orleans to become the Lions defensive coordinator in 2021.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Titans fire GM Ran Carthon after 2 seasons.
Jets and Titans are the only two GM jobs available?
Some of thees teams might want to spend a little more time on those internal evaluations, eh.
Jets and Titans are the only two GM jobs available?
Some of thees teams might want to spend a little more time on those internal evaluations, eh.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
doh! we have landed on the moon.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Most of the actual good candidates for future head coaching jobs are still coaching on Playoff teams starting this weekend
Many of these interviews are just exercises until owners and GMs can talk to the people they really would prefer to hire
Mayo and Pierce fired after one year, Pierce coached after McDaniels in '23
Brian Flores was fired after B2B winning seasons, didn't hear a peep about Mike McDaniels maybe being fired after going 8-9, pretty abysmal year for the Phins
Are there going to be any new minority hirings as head coaches?
Many of these interviews are just exercises until owners and GMs can talk to the people they really would prefer to hire
Mayo and Pierce fired after one year, Pierce coached after McDaniels in '23
Brian Flores was fired after B2B winning seasons, didn't hear a peep about Mike McDaniels maybe being fired after going 8-9, pretty abysmal year for the Phins
Are there going to be any new minority hirings as head coaches?
Anarchy99
Footballguy
NE just interviewed 2 minority candidates that are not currently employed and have no chance of being a HC to skirt the Rooney rule. With Vrabel also unattached, the Pats could sign him before many other teams could even interview the guys they want. I don't know if getting a month's head start would help the Patriots much, but they have that option. Some local beat guys expect Vrabel to be named HC in the next 24-48 hours. Schefter says the Pats still are going to wait out interviews with other options (mostly Johnson) and they may or may not end up with Vrabel. Schefter expects a long, drawn-out process before NE hires someone.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
@BobbyLayne, are there any rumblings on OC/DC replacements in Detroit if/when Johnson and Glenn move on to HC jobs?
McDaniel>>Flores.
McDaniel led them to 2 playoff berths before this season, and even this season they almost certainly would have made it if Tua hadn't missed 5 games, they went 1-4 without him.
Flores never made the playoffs, and his own team and staff hated him. Frankly, Flores wouldn't be in my top-10 candidates this offseason for a HC job.
That would be insane for the Vikings. O'Connell is the best HC they've had since...arguably Bud Grant. Flores was a below average HC in Miami, who everyone hated. If the Vikings dealt KOC and promoted Flores, my guess is the entire offense falls apart (especially Darnold) the defense takes a step back, and the Vikings are fighting to stay out of last place in a tough division.ZERO chance they consider flipping KOC for a first, then elevating Flores to HC?Glazer's a moron. No way MIN even considers trading him.
Seems like it would be worth considering.
Nobody would be happier than Lions and Packers fans if the Vikings did that...well other than the team that traded for KOC.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Depends on whether Dan Campbell wants to promote internally or go outside the building, From the current staff, passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand has been groomed for several years to be the next play caller. On the other side, LB coach Kelvin Sheppard is highly regarded & the heir apparent.
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