While the NFL playoffs start this weekend, the NFL off-season is off and running. Six head coaching jobs have opened up and some interesting names are in the running for them. What jobs are open? Who is in the running? Who is the best fit? I am glad you asked, I have all the answers in this update on the NFL Coaching Carousel.
New York Jets
The Jets were the first team to cut their coach loose this season. Robert Saleh went 20-36 over four seasons in New York. Woody Johnson and the leadership in New York are casting a wide net in their search, and have requested interviews with 13 candidates. The candidates so far are:
- Jeff Ulbrich – Interim Coach
- Mike Vrabel
- Aaron Glenn
- Joe Brady
- Matt Nagy
- Brian Flores
- Josh McCown
- Arthur Smith
- Ron Rivera
- Rex Ryan
- Brian Griese
- Vance Joseph
- Bobby Slowick
Eight of these candidates have NFL head coaching experience. The weirdest interviews are with former Jets coach Rex Ryan and Brian Griese. I imagine that Jets fans would not be pleased with either of those men if they were selected. While Vrabel is the preferred candidate, in my opinion, I think the Jets will end up with Josh McCown or Joe Brady. McCown has received interest before, and Brady has the young OC intrigue. The best hire would undoubtedly be Mike Vrabel.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints should have hired a new coach last year, but they did not listen to my podcast apparently. Looking to return to Super Bowl contention, the Saints have lined up eight interviews. The candidates are:
- Darrin Rizzi – Interim Coach
- Mike Vrabel
- Aaron Glenn
- Joe Brady
- Kellen Moore
- Anthony Weaver
- Mike Kafka
- David Shaw
Brady, Moore, and Kafka are the young offensive “gurus” of the list. Joe Brady spent time at LSU which bolstered his stock in the NFL. The problem with Brady is he would not have Josh Allen or Joe Burrow if he got hired by the Saints. The obvious fit here is Lions DC, Aaron Glenn. He has played and coached in New Orleans, and he has done great with the defense in Detroit. If he could put together a good offensive staff, he could succeed quickly in New Orleans.
Chicago Bears
The Bears make me laugh often (I am a Packer fan). I was hoping they would keep Matt Eberflus, but after seeing their list of candidates, maybe we Packer fans do not need to worry much. The candidates are:
- Thomas Brown – Interim Coach
- Mike Vrabel
- Ben Johnson
- Aaron Glenn
- Anthony Weaver
- Mike Kafka
- Brian Flores
- Arthur Smith
- Mike McCarthy
- Drew Perzing
- Todd Monken
- David Shaw
Vrabel, Johnson, Glenn, Weaver, and Flores would all be good hires for Chicago. That, of course, tells us none of them will be the pick. The Bears will look to pair a coach that can get the most out of their new franchise QB in Caleb Williams. Ben Johnson would be the best hire in this list of candidates, but I expect the Bears to go with Todd Monken or Anthony Weaver.
New England Patriots
I really think Jerod Mayo would have succeeded with time in New England, and I hope he gets another opportunity soon. The Patriots have the smallest list of candidates with only four names so far.
- Mike Vrabel
- Ben Johnson
- Byron Leftwich
- Pep Hamilton
I like all four of these candidates, but Mike Vrabel has to be the pick here right? Ben Johnson would be great for this young offense, but I am not sure he wants to coach this team. Vrabel has deep ties in New England, and I would be shocked if he is not the choice.
Jacksonville Jaguars
I applauded the hire of Doug Pederson, and I applaud the firing. It clearly did not work out. The Jaguars have built a pretty nice roster, with some great young talent. Now they need a coach to put it all together. Their current candidates are:
- Ben Johnson
- Aaron Glenn
- Joe Brady
- Kellen Moore
- Todd Monken
- Robert Saleh
- Liam Coen
- Patrick Graham
Taking a shot on Joe Brady or Liam Coen seems like the play here for the Jaguars. I think Ben Johnson should be their top candidate, because of what he has done with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs. If he could do similar things with Trevor Lawerence, Brian Johnson Jr, and Travis Etienne, the Jags would be division contenders immediately. I also like the idea of Patrick Graham in Jacksonville if he could put together a top offensive staff.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders took extra time before firing Antonio Pierce. I am never a fan of retaining the interim coach, and Pierce falls into that category. I do think Pierce could have a revival in a couple of seasons, but for now, will probably be a DC after going 9-17 in two seasons. This firing just happened as I was writing this article, so I do not know of any candidates yet. I would assume Kliff Kingsbury’s name will show up, along with Joe Brady, and even incumbent DC Patrick Graham.
Closing Thoughts
Coaching candidates are getting more picky with taking a job. They understand the importance of having a QB they can win with. The Jets, Saints, and Raiders do not currently have a winning QB on the roster, so the draft and free agency will be key for them. The Jaguars have the best roster of the six teams looking, and the Bears and Patriots have young QBs to build around. It will be interesting to see which coaches fill these six seats in this year’s NFL coaching carousel.
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