The NFL playoffs start Saturday, however we’re additionally maintaining a tally of coach motion.
What’s new with Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh? How did the John Harbaugh-Ravens break up go down? What are the Raiders considering after securing the No. 1 decide and shifting on from Pete Carroll?
The NFL teaching carousel is spinning quick, and solely accelerating with Harbaugh’s dismissal. We canvassed sources throughout the league to assemble intel on potential strikes each workforce may make.
Bounce to a workforce:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
NFC EAST
The Cowboys are in place to hunt for a big-name defensive coordinator after firing Matt Eberflus. Minnesota’s Brian Flores is on the radar, and just lately fired head coaches Raheem Morris and Jonathan Gannon can be found. Dallas feels prefer it has a playoff-caliber offense (second in yards per recreation this season) and desires somebody to tie the protection collectively. Nonetheless, folks on Dallas’ employees felt the defensive issues have been “not all [Eberflus’] fault.” Roster reinforcements shall be needed. One thing to bear in mind: Dallas hardly ever hires a first-time defensive coordinator. Expertise is required.
The rationale Joe Schoen’s GM tenure in New York was by no means shaky: He has been working level on the teaching seek for weeks, gathering in depth analysis. He is the one making calls all through the league to fact-find on candidates. His imprint is throughout this. And most definitely, there isn’t any high-profile candidate on the market with the clout to request their very own GM. The expectation is that the brand new head coach will work instantly with Schoen.
It has been a tricky yr for NFC East coordinators. Washington, Dallas and New York fired 4 of them mixed. That locations the highlight on Philadelphia and the way it approaches its offensive coordinator place. Some across the league are questioning about the way forward for Kevin Patullo due to the offense’s struggles. Patullo has clout in Philadelphia due to his sturdy relationships with key gamers and a long-standing place as a Nick Sirianni confidant. The offensive line’s high quality of play has actually not been the identical as final yr’s, which is dangerous timing for Patullo. The offense ranks twenty fourth in yards per recreation, which is hard contemplating the general expertise of the group. Moreover, defensive backs coach Christian Parker must be within the combine on the coordinator carousel. Groups are intrigued by him. And defensive position coach Clint Hurtt has coordinator expertise and has helped in creating DTs Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, which may result in alternatives elsewhere.
Dan Quinn is lengthy faraway from his Atlanta Falcons days, however he may faucet into the Falcons tree for his subsequent defensive coordinator rent. Some across the league ponder whether Quinn considers hiring former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, given their shut ties. And Morris’ coordinator this season, Jeff Ulbrich, must be a commodity as properly. Within the Commanders’ seek for a brand new offensive coordinator, some across the league suppose they may rent somebody who has Jayden Daniels work from underneath heart extra usually for play-action functions.
NFC NORTH
Assistant normal supervisor Ian Cunningham, who will interview for the Atlanta GM job, was a fixture on the carousel whereas the Bears have been shedding. Chicago’s 11-win season — and Cunningham’s function in that course of — ought to heighten his profile within the coming weeks. Cunningham has been lively in Chicago, from personnel to participant negotiations to trades to scouting programs and analytics. His mentors embody Ozzie Newsome and Howie Roseman. He turned down Arizona three years in the past, and a few of his latest interviews have been with groups that both had a clear-cut favourite entering into (Titans, Chargers) or had modified their construction after the season (Jaguars). After 4 years as Ryan Poles’ right-hand man, Cunningham has loads of management expertise to assist him this cycle. It would not harm that Poles was a Boston Faculty teammate of Matt Ryan, a soon-to-be Falcons soccer exec.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle may get some consideration both for playcalling alternatives or head-coaching jobs elsewhere. Defensive backs coach Al Harris is a coordinator candidate who has ties to varied coaches, together with John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy and Steve Spagnuolo.
The firing of offensive coordinator John Morton offers head coach Dan Campbell the possibility to redefine the Lions’ offense. The lack of Ben Johnson affected Detroit greater than it in all probability wished to confess. Campbell opted for continuity with Morton, a Detroit assistant in 2022. “I do know [Campbell] likes calling performs, however they’ve so many weapons and that is a coveted job to get a very good playcaller in there,” an NFC government acquainted with the Lions mentioned.
What helps defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s head-coaching case this cycle: his distinctive expertise. After teaching Boston Faculty for 4 seasons and leaving on his personal accord for the Inexperienced Bay job, he has head-coaching expertise with out the retread label. Individuals I’ve talked to consider that might be a differentiator when mixed along with his in depth NFL background as a longtime defensive backs coach within the NFL and his two years working Matt LaFleur’s protection in Inexperienced Bay.
On the GM entrance, folks I’ve talked to consider exec Jon-Eric Sullivan’s mixture of deep personnel expertise and relatability will make him a distinguished candidate in Miami, the place he is interviewing. He impressed in Tennessee final yr.
The way forward for defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a key storyline this cycle. The Vikings hope to re-sign Flores, who simply completed the final yr of his contract. However Flores, who is taken into account a high coordinator in the marketplace, has choices, which suggests he has leverage. Almost 10 NFL groups have a defensive coordinator opening. And he might be within the combine for head-coaching jobs. If he indicators with Minnesota now, he cannot make a lateral transfer. So it would not shock if it takes a while earlier than there is a decision.
NFC SOUTH
Some Falcons gamers have been shocked (in addition to upset) by the Raheem Morris firing. Despite the fact that proprietor Arthur Clean appeared prepared to fireside Morris after the workforce’s 3-7 begin to the season, Morris clearly didn’t lose the locker room and gamers fought their technique to a late four-game successful streak. Some members of the teaching employees have been optimistic that that might be sufficient to safe a 3rd yr for Morris, who ought to now get coordinator or head-coaching seems to be within the coming weeks. Do not be shocked if the Falcons try and maintain Ulbrich at defensive coordinator. That might be a part of the plan ultimately, with Ulbrich staying underneath a brand new head coach.
Defensive pass-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley is a reputation to look at for defensive playcaller openings elsewhere. The Panthers’ secondary is way improved this yr, rating ninth in interceptions (15), and Cooley comes from the fruitful Rams tree.
The Saints will not want important employees adjustments this week. Coach Kellen Moore has what’s thought-about a very good group, with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who went 24-24 as Los Angeles Chargers coach from 2021-23 and led the Saints to top-10 rankings in a number of defensive classes. Nussmeier oversaw the swift growth of Tyler Shough.
On the overall supervisor entrance, Saints assistant GM Khai Harley might be a reputation to look at for the Falcons’ search. He has almost 20 years with the Saints, and groups are beginning to worth the mix of managerial and wage cap expertise extra.
Todd Bowles met with possession Tuesday and has a employees assembly scheduled for Wednesday. Indicators level to Bowles returning for a fifth season as Tampa Bay’s head coach. One mannequin that Tampa has kicked round is beefing up the employees round Bowles with a brand new offensive coordinator and additions to the defensive employees (probably a coordinator function). Suppose again to the Eagles once they went massive with Moore and Vic Fangio two years in the past. Doing so is expensive and will stop Tampa from following go well with. However these are the kind of big-picture concepts mentioned in Tampa recently. The offense’s regression — the workforce fell from third to twenty second in yards per recreation over the previous yr — may immediate change. Bettering the protection is not so easy. Bowles remains to be thought-about a talented defensive playcaller, and the dearth of elite move rushers may complicate any push for a high coordinator candidate.
NFC WEST
It would not appear completely off the desk for the Cardinals’ subsequent head coach to inherit Kyler Murray as beginning quarterback. As some across the league have identified, proprietor Michael Bidwill in all probability will not be desperate to pay each Murray and fired head coach Jonathan Gannon to work elsewhere. Murray has $36.8 million in ensures in 2026, which shall be arduous to offset by way of commerce or launch. However Gannon ought to get a distinguished defensive coordinator job someplace, which might offset a bit of his buyout. Whereas it is unsure whether or not Bidwill made a Gannon-or-Murray calculation, firing Gannon was the extra palatable transfer financially. The Cardinals’ teaching employees was cautiously optimistic about Gannon surviving regardless of the workforce’s ugly 1-14 end. However as one business supply famous, “The product was so dangerous. They’re thus far behind the remainder of the NFC West.”
A Rams supply advised me this just lately about passing recreation coordinator Nate Scheelhaase: “He’ll be a head coach someday.” Scheelhaase has acquitted himself properly in two years with Sean McVay and will get some traction as a head-coaching candidate.
The Rams have one of many deeper staffs within the league for potential upward mobility elsewhere. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has helped Los Angeles’ offense leap almost 9 factors per recreation, to 30.5 this yr. Assistant head coach/passing recreation coordinator Aubrey Nice ought to get some defensive coordinator seems to be. Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone is a former coordinator who has gotten one of the best out of Matthew Stafford. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula is taken into account among the many high head-coaching candidates in the marketplace.
From the one-year-from-now file, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak is poised to be a scorching head teaching candidate within the 2026-27 cycle. Kyle Shanahan could be very excessive on him and he has the proper temperament for the job. He is thought-about somebody from this tree who may make some noise subsequent carousel.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh must be a participant for a number of head teaching jobs. Tennessee and Las Vegas come to thoughts. Saleh is predicted to get an interview with the Titans and he acquitted himself properly in his Raiders interviews final yr.
49ers personnel exec Josh Williams interviewed for Jacksonville’s GM job final yr and is a professional candidate as soon as once more. The Columbia grad has performed a giant function within the 49ers’ analysis processes and is up for the GM job in Miami. Some contained in the league would not be shocked if Williams finally ends up being the favourite.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is interviewing in Atlanta, amongst different spots, with the Falcons a possible pairing that is sensible. As one NFC coach famous, Kubiak’s system and acumen with Bijan Robinson and a very good offensive line ‘could be deadly.’ The Falcons have questions at quarterback, however the potentialities within the working recreation will entice high offensive coaches. What meaning for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. stays to be seen. Penix is finest utilized as a deep-intermediate-to-deep thrower fairly than in a West Coast-based system. However he is gifted sufficient to make it work.
Do not sleep on defensive coordinator Aden Durde’s candidacy. He is interviewing with the Browns and there might be different groups that discuss to him.
AFC EAST
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s head teaching candidacy is intriguing. He has stored the Payments within the high 5 in whole offense and not using a dominant large receiver. The pool of candidates with sturdy backgrounds on offense is comparatively skinny. The thrill round his title will not be magma-hot, however he’ll have his probabilities. Some folks I’ve talked to consider he would have been a major candidate in Cincinnati had that job opened, resulting from long-standing ties with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase from his LSU days. Brady has in depth interview expertise, and if there is a yr to win a job based mostly on interviews and never rubber stamps, that is the one.
As issues stand, the folks I’ve talked to in Miami will not be anticipating a change with Mike McDaniel. With no normal supervisor in place, it is arduous to forecast precisely what the Dolphins’ mind belief will appear to be. Miami is off and working with eight normal supervisor candidates. It is noteworthy that three of the primary six candidates come from the 49ers’ entrance workplace, which is aware of McDaniel, a Kyle Shanahan disciple, properly. How the brand new GM feels about McDaniel might be an element within the head coach’s future, however I proceed to listen to that McDaniel has assist in essential elements of the constructing.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is tentatively scheduled to interview with the Falcons on Saturday. He’s acquainted with the operation after interviewing there two years in the past.
What New England does with its defensive coordinator job shall be fascinating. Terrell Williams missed the season to concentrate on prostate most cancers restoration. Zak Kuhr has acquitted himself properly as interim, to the purpose the place he may garner curiosity as a major playcaller elsewhere. However the Patriots have a very good factor going, so maybe Mike Vrabel can discover a technique to incorporate each coaches whereas acknowledging Kuhr’s ascension.
Move recreation coordinator Thomas Brown may get playcalling or head teaching seems to be as soon as once more. His profession has rebounded after navigating two powerful interim stints in once-downtrodden Carolina and Chicago.
Establishment on the Jets’ teaching employees as of Tuesday night time. The workforce is wrapping up exit conferences, and the coaches are anticipated to fulfill mid-to-late week. My early sense is that the Jets maintain offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand however that employees adjustments on offense might be on the best way. However something feels potential after a very horrific passing recreation efficiency.
AFC NORTH
Tuesday was an interesting day in Baltimore. Ravens assistant coaches have been in contact with John Harbaugh all through Tuesday about his potential exit. The Ravens made clear of their assertion that this was a firing. However the impression from one supply concerned with these employees talks was that Harbaugh had a choice to weigh — and 24 hours to do it. It is form of semantics at this level. The Ravens have been prepared to maneuver on. However I am not so satisfied the talks between Harbaugh and proprietor Steve Bisciotti have been fully one-sided. Harbaugh had three years left on his deal, so he wasn’t going to provoke an exit, which may jeopardize the contract. It is cleaner if the workforce does it.
What appears clear is that Harbaugh seems at peace with leaving, prepared for a brand new problem. My sense is he did not at all times really feel appreciated within the last years in Baltimore. Regardless of reported friction between Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson, one workforce supply believed Jackson and Harbaugh have been truly in an honest place total and that Harbaugh labored through the years at sustaining a relationship along with his QB. Questions existed about chemistry between Jackson and OC Todd Monken, which we famous final week.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher is an under-the-radar teaching choice this cycle. He may have some traction in Cleveland, for instance. Cincinnati’s offense remained respectable via a tricky yr. Some groups may attempt to lure him as a playcaller someplace (Zac Taylor nonetheless calls performs in Cincinnati), however Pitcher ought to have an opportunity at a head job. He is believed to have the proper demeanor and management qualities for such a place, however the Bengals aren’t precisely a scorching workforce.
Jim Schwartz’s presence looms massive. The Browns may pair a gifted defensive coordinator in Schwartz with an offensive-minded head coach. Schwartz is underneath contract for 2026, so Cleveland has the power to dam coordinator suitors. He can go away for a head teaching job, after all. However Cleveland is in place to maintain the core of a fourth-ranked protection in place with Schwartz, who will probably interview for Cleveland’s head job, too.
Mike Tomlin’s future has been hotly debated of late. There is no such thing as a agency proof as of now that Tomlin would depart Pittsburgh after 19 seasons. He is been fiercely loyal to Pittsburgh. However a supply near Tomlin believes stepping away is at the least a risk. Does he want a break? It is a query that hasn’t fairly gone away, although solely Tomlin actually is aware of what he’ll do. The supply believes Tomlin could be extra intrigued by doing TV than returning to the teaching market, ought to he go away the Steelers. The supply wonders what Tomlin has left to chase as an NFL coach. A separate supply with ties to Tomlin is assured he’ll keep in Pittsburgh. Both approach, Aaron Rodgers and Tomlin can try a spirited run within the playoffs, and TV alternatives would await Tomlin if he does need to entertain them. My understanding is that networks have had open invites for Tomlin if he ever left teaching.
AFC SOUTH
Early intel is that defensive coordinator Matt Burke is predicted to obtain at the least one head teaching interview for the work he has achieved with Houston’s top-ranked protection. New York is a possible spot. Burke and Giants normal supervisor Joe Schoen have shared historical past from Miami in 2016.
Quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson may get a coordinator spike resulting from his work with Houston quarterbacks. Davis Mills was sharp throughout a three-game stint whereas C.J. Stroud was out. Johnson’s offseason shows at teaching summits are thought-about extremely spectacular by his friends.
Vital employees adjustments will not be anticipated right here. The Colts might want to exchange defensive position coach Charlie Partridge, who’s headed to Notre Dame. However any strikes by Shane Steichen shall be minor until key coaches discover upward mobility elsewhere, which is a risk. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will interview with Tennessee and New York. Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter may get seems to be as a playcaller elsewhere. (Steichen calls the performs in Indy.)
Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski may ring in his thirtieth birthday with a playoff victory and head teaching alternatives. His birthday is Monday, a day after the Jaguars’ wild-card showdown with Buffalo. Groups are usually ready till after this weekend’s video games to request head teaching interviews with candidates taking part within the wild-card spherical. A couple of seems to be for Udinski would not shock. His rise from Minnesota assistant to Jacksonville OC has been fast and he would not name performs. However a number of profitable NFL head coaches did not name performs earlier than getting a head teaching job — most notably one in every of Udinski’s mentors, Kevin O’Connell. And he has made an early influence on a very good offense.
Whereas the Titans may concentrate on offense-minded head coach candidates because of the have to develop Cam Ward, Tennessee is legitimately intrigued by a handful of defense-oriented candidates, too. San Francisco’s Robert Saleh is one. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula is one other. The Titans shall be open-minded, figuring out they will pair a defensive head coach with a powerful, established offensive playcaller. Among the candidates to interview for the pinnacle teaching place may turn into coordinator choices, too. Touchdown a powerful employees for the pinnacle coach is paramount for Tennessee’s new entrance workplace.
AFC WEST
Vance Joseph shall be a busy man this week, planning to squeeze in 5 workforce interviews — Raiders, Cardinals, Giants, Titans and Falcons — earlier than Friday. That is the free plan. Denver is giving a ringing endorsement to Joseph, most notably his capacity to work properly with others, often called being a very good teammate in all the soccer operation.
Denver additionally considers quarterbacks coach Davis Webb a rising star. Some within the constructing consider he is obtained some Sean Payton-level confidence. Whereas he is likely to be a future head coach, his subsequent step might be calling an offense someplace as an OC.
GM George Paton is ending the fifth yr of a six-year deal. He would not have an extension but. Indicators level to Paton staying in Denver. The Broncos have 24 regular-season wins prior to now two years with Paton and head coach Sean Payton collectively. The drafts have been profitable. Maybe Denver works out an extension this offseason. But when he turned obtainable for some purpose, he’d be a scorching GM candidate.
The Matt Nagy scenario is one to look at. The Chiefs’ offensive coordinator is a free agent who will entertain his decisions. These embody head teaching alternatives — he’ll be a candidate in Tennessee, amongst different spots — and probably as a playcaller/OC elsewhere. Kansas Metropolis actually may try and maintain him. However Nagy can be keen to guess on himself.
And, if Nagy have been to depart, would Kliff Kingsbury have an opportunity to slip again into Patrick Mahomes’ life as Chiefs OC? It makes a variety of sense.
Regardless of the presence of Tom Brady as minority proprietor, count on normal supervisor John Spytek to be a significant component within the hiring technique of a brand new head coach. “He is within the crosshairs now,” an business supply mentioned. Final yr, Spytek was employed just some days earlier than the hiring of Pete Carroll. A lot of the legwork was already achieved. This time, Spytek can collaborate with Brady from the get-go. As for candidates, one workforce supply believes offensive-minded candidates will get critical consideration. The Raiders decide first in April’s draft and so they know they need to get the quarterback place proper.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter may match the Baltimore mould to interchange Harbaugh. He has ties to the group as a former Harbaugh assistant. He is a artistic defensive thoughts, which is way wanted after the struggles on that facet of the ball in Baltimore over the previous two years. And once I requested somebody who is aware of Minter properly about his teaching model, the primary phrase used was ‘conscientious,’ which is essential in Baltimore — significantly with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who will most definitely need to construct a relationship along with his new coach from the bottom up. He values that.
