The NFL common season ends in a bit over a month on Jan. 5, 2025, seemingly that means some head coaches are coming into the ultimate days of their present posts.
Three franchises (Bears, Jets, Saints) have already made strikes, and extra are prone to observe.
However all jobs aren’t created equal. Under, we rank the three present openings, plus three extra potential openings, from the least to essentially the most engaging.
Present openings
3. New York Jets (3-9)
Execs: Get to see Broadway reveals on days off • Cons: Working for the Jets
What’s to love in regards to the Jets job?
The quarterback scenario is a multitude, with Aaron Rodgers extra fascinated by starring in a Netflix documentary nobody desires than successful soccer video games. A number of studies have advised Rodgers, who’s underneath contract in 2025, might be launched following the season, which might muddy the scenario additional.
Woody Johnson is on the shortlist of worst NFL homeowners, making the job much more unappealing.
At the least whoever will get the job can see “GLOW” actress Betty Gilpin take over the title position within the Broadway smash hit play, “Oh, Mary!,” assuming he can get a ticket.
2. New Orleans Saints (4-8)
Execs: Entrance workplace stability, low expectations • Cons: Wage cap hell, previous roster, no future franchise quarterback
Longtime common manger Mickey Loomis, for higher or worse, has all the time tried to maximise the staff’s current on the expense of the long run. Whereas that strategy was nice when New Orleans was a Tremendous Bowl contender, it is indefensible for a staff that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020.
At an estimated $62.8 million over the cap and with league-high $48.4 million in lifeless cash in 2025, the Saints might be one of many league’s worst groups subsequent season.
That would deter some candidates from contemplating New Orleans, nevertheless it may also work to the subsequent full-time head coach’s benefit.
Whoever is employed shall be gifted low expectations, giving them time to rebuild the staff right into a contender.
We have seen in latest seasons how seemingly lengthy rebuilds in Houston and Washington will be abridged with the proper quarterback and coach.
With one of many league’s most aggressive common managers, New Orleans’ coach ought to have the sources to get the Saints again into the postseason.
1. Chicago Bears (4-8)
Execs: Quarterback Caleb Williams, projected $82 million in cap area • Cons: Dysfunctional historical past, NFL’s hardest division
The subsequent Bears head coach will battle the franchise’s brutal latest historical past greater than the rest. The Bears have not had a successful document since 2018, former head coach Matt Nagy’s first yr with the franchise.
However Chicago has a promising core, led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and vast receivers DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze.
It should enhance its speeding assault after D’Andre Swift flopped (Ashton Jeanty, anybody?), however the Bears have items in place to show factor round. And with a projected $82 million in cap area per Over The Cap, Chicago has the monetary capital to make a splash in free company.
Potential openings
3. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
Execs: Vast receiver CeeDee Lamb, edge-rusher Micah Parsons • Cons: Jerry Jones, Dak Prescott coming off of season-ending harm
Mike McCarthy is within the closing yr of a five-year contract he signed with the Cowboys in 2020. Regardless of the Cowboys tough season, Prescott just lately informed Yahoo! Sports activities’ Jori Epstein, “I believe he positively deserves an opportunity. One other contract and an opportunity to educate this staff.”
Regardless of the Cowboys having All-Professional expertise at vast receiver (Lamb) and edge-rusher (Parsons), they do not have a lot else going for them.
If Dallas makes a change at head coach, the subsequent one will inherit Prescott coming off a season-ending hamstring harm. Even worse, they will take care of the distractions that include working for Jones, the Cowboys’ long-time proprietor.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Execs: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence • Cons: Entrance-office energy construction
Doug Pederson’s run as Jags coach ought to finish following this season.
Lawrence has been inconsistent in his 4 NFL seasons however is proficient sufficient to be a long-term franchise quarterback. Coaches price their salt needs to be keen to maximise the No. 1 general choose of the 2021 NFL Draft’s strengths.
A disadvantage to a possible Jags opening is the group’s energy construction.
When Jacksonville fired former head coach City Mayer in 2021, NFL insider Albert Breer famous proprietor Shad Khan’s loyalty to common supervisor Trent Baalke as a destructive.
“That is why there are coaches who would’ve thought-about the Jaguars who in all probability will not now,” Breer wrote.
If Baalke survives Jacksonville’s horrible 2024, it could communicate volumes about Khan’s perception in him. It may additionally make the staff’s subsequent head coach the scapegoat if issues go awry as soon as once more.
1. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Execs: Quarterback Joe Burrow, projected $64 million in cap area • Cons: Protection wants an overhaul
Coaches dream of a possibility like this coming round.
The Bengals have been arguably the league’s largest disappointment, squandering Burrow’s MVP-caliber season with one of many league’s worst defenses.
It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if possession retains head coach Zac Taylor, who led the franchise to its first Tremendous Bowl look since 1988 in 2021, shedding to the Rams, 23-20.
A simple repair in Cincinnati can be transferring on from defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who’s solely led the Bengals to 1 top-10 end in scoring protection (sixth in 2022) in six seasons.
But when the entrance workplace feels Taylor has introduced Cincinnati so far as he can, it should discover Burrow a coach he deserves.
