The NFL currently has three head coach vacancies as Josh McDaniels (Raiders), Frank Reich (Panthers), & Brandon Staley (Chargers) were fired during the season. According to this CBS report, there could be as many as five more vacancies created after the conclusion of the regular season, and even that figure might be optimistic. Teams like the Patriots, Commanders, Jets, Bears, and Falcons will be looking for new head coaches during the offseason; however, teams like the Saints, Cowboys, & Buccaneers could also wind up joining them in the hunt for their next commander.
With several of the league’s thirty two teams probably looking for a new head coach this offseason, the future of the position as we know it is very much in the balance. With that being said, this seems like an ideal time to get the scoop on the position. Who are the hottest names amongst this upcoming group of coaching candidates? Which amongst them will eventually separate themselves from the rest of the pack?
Bill Belichick; Patriots HC
It’s not often that you see a six-time Super Bowl winning coach hit the open market. Bill might join the broadcast booth next season, but if he continues coaching he would be an ideal candidate for a team like the Chargers, who are in win-now mode. I still believe that Belichick is one of the best coaches in the league, but giving him all of the football power that he got with the Patriots could prove to be dangerous. His drafts in recent years have left much to be desired, so any football owner should be hesitant about giving him all of the say so when it comes to personnel decisions. Belichick does bring instant credibility, a strong resume, & a penchant for winning trophies though, so it will be quite difficult for any owner to ever turn him down.
Ben Johnson; Lions OC
Johnson, after interviewing for several head coaching vacancies last offseason, instead decided to remain as the Lions offensive coordinator for one more season. This decision turned out to be a brilliant one in hindsight, as he’s now one of the most coveted candidates this offseason after another fantastic campaign in Detroit. The Lions just won the NFC North for the first time ever by utilizing an offense built on a strong offensive line, a punishing running game, & an explosive passing game.
There’s an elephant in the room when it comes to hiring Johnson though, which is this key rumor that he’s seeking $15M per year as a rookie head coach in the league. That figure ranks in the top-five of current NFL head coaches, with the likes of Bill Belichick ($20M), Sean Payton ($18M), Pete Carroll ($15M), & Sean McVay ($15M). Ben Johnson won’t bring the instant credibility that those guys have, but he’s still an exciting young head coaching candidate who will be highly coveted this offseason.
Jim Harbaugh; Michigan HC
Harbaugh’s track record speaks for itself as he’s won in every place that he’s been against both college and NFL competition during his extensive coaching career. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t been able to win the big game in any of those settings. His Michigan teams were caught cheating, yet they were still outclassed by Georgia.
Despite his few flaws, the man does bring instant credibility to an NFL locker room. Teams like the Falcons, Commanders, & Raiders, who lack any sort of identity could certainly do much worse than hiring Harbaugh to lead their franchise next season. Michigan will try to keep him, but NFL teams will surely throw more money at him.
Dan Quinn; Cowboys DC
Dan Quinn isn’t my personal favorite coaching candidate, considering how things went south in a hurry for the Falcons after losing Super Bowl LI way back in 2016. There’s also the fact that he’s improved dramatically as a coach after moving up to the booth as a defensive coordinator instead of being “the guy” on an NFL sideline.
Buyers should beware when it comes to hiring Quinn; however, his track record as the Cowboys defensive coordinator the past three years simply cannot be ignored. That unit has transformed from one of the worst in the NFL to one of the NFL’s best. Some team will come calling for Quinn’s services, but will the relationship work out?
Eric Bienemy; Commanders OC
Here’s a familiar name to NFL fans, as the longtime Chiefs offensive coordinator brought his talents to Washington last offseason as their offensive coordinator after interviewing for several head coaching positions for the third consecutive offseason. Teams don’t want to hire this guy for whatever reason, & nobody knows why that is. Take one look at the Kansas City Chiefs offense this year in comparison to last year though, & it’s clear that Bienemy knows how to run an offense with the right talent. Will he be able to convince an NFL owner that he has what it takes to lead a team?
Raheem Morris; Rams DC
Don’t look now, but the Rams are rolling after suffering a lengthy midseason skid. After giving up a season high 43 points in their Week 8 loss to the Cowboys, the Rams defensive unit has since given up an average of only 21 points per game. Morris is in charge of that unit, and the unheralded group is on quite a roll lately. Aaron Donald is a star, but outside of him the Rams are working with a whole host of unheralded players on defense and excelling with said players in a playoff push. Will Morris’ 21-38 career record as a head coach prevent teams from hiring him?
Other names: Brian Flores (Vikings), Bobby Slowik (Texans), Ejiro Evero (Panthers)
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