The 2024 NFL common season is over, and 6 groups have fired their head coaches.
The Jets made the primary change by parting methods with Robert Saleh in early October earlier than the Saints fired Dennis Allen on Nov. 4. The Bears moved on from Matt Eberflus after dropping to the Lions on Thanksgiving. The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo straight after their Week 18 win over the Payments, and the Jaguars let go of Doug Pederson on Monday. The Raiders had been the most recent workforce to make a transfer by firing Antonio Pierce on Tuesday afternoon.
With six open jobs, this is all the pieces that you must know concerning the newest NFL head coach motion, together with execs and cons for every gig. (And take a look at the most recent teaching buzz from our insiders on Jan. 9.)
Leap to a gap:
Raiders | Jaguars | Patriots
Bears | Saints | Jets
Head coach openings
Former coach: Antonio Pierce (fired Jan. 7)
Document with Raiders: 9-17 over two seasons
What occurred: The Raiders have fired coach Antonio Pierce after one season, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. Pierce, who was employed because the workforce’s coach final January after serving because the interim coach for the final 9 video games of 2023, led the Raiders to a 4-13 document this season. He had stated at his media availability Monday that he was working as if he would stay because the workforce’s coach however acknowledged he had not but met with workforce proprietor Mark Davis.
Professionals of the Las Vegas job: The Raiders not solely have the No. 6 decide in April’s draft, however in addition they have a boatload of cap house (roughly $73 million for 2025, per Roster Administration System). Las Vegas boasts state-of-the-art services, has a world-class stadium and rosters two foundational gamers in tight finish Brock Bowers and defensive finish Maxx Crosby. Plus … no state earnings tax.
Cons of the Las Vegas job: You are in all probability taking a look at a complete rebuild in a division with three 10-win groups this season and well-established coach-QB combos in Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes, Jim Harbaugh-Justin Herbert and Sean Payton-Bo Nix. Aidan O’Connell confirmed he will be serviceable up to now month, however an improve at quarterback is required. Plus, greater than half of the defensive starters are scheduled to hit free company, together with inside linebacker Robert Spillane and security Tre’von Moehrig. — Paul Gutierrez
Extra protection:
Former coach: Doug Pederson (fired Jan. 6)
Document with Jaguars: 22-29 over three seasons
What occurred: The Jaguars have fired Pederson at some point after the workforce ended the season 4-13. The Jaguars have one of many NFL’s worst defenses, rating thirty first within the NFL in yards allowed per sport (389.9) and final in passing yards allowed per sport (257.4) below coordinator Ryan Nielsen, whom Pederson employed to switch Mike Caldwell this previous offseason. The Jaguars offense below Press Taylor completed this season as one of many worst within the NFL, rating twenty fifth in yards per sport (305.8), twenty first in passing yards per sport (204.5) and twenty first in third downs (37.3%).
Professionals of the Jacksonville job: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is locked in by 2030, and there are different key constructing blocks in rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., left sort out Walker Little, defensives ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker and cornerback Tyson Campbell. The AFC South is not precisely a troublesome division, both, so there is a doubtlessly faster path again to the playoffs offered the brand new employees can get Lawrence to play at a persistently excessive stage.
Cons of the Jacksonville Job: Whereas the Jaguars have roughly $40 million in cap house, they’re additionally saddled with unhealthy contracts from underperforming free brokers the workforce signed final spring (defensive finish Arik Armstead, receiver Gabe Davis). Staff proprietor Shad Khan opted to not make a clear sweep, so will the brand new coach be prepared to work with basic supervisor Trent Baalke, who’s coming into the ultimate yr of his contract? — Michael DiRocco
Extra protection:
Former coach: Jerod Mayo (fired Jan. 5)
Document with Patriots: 4-13 in a single season
What occurred: The Patriots have fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season. They completed 4-13 in Mayo’s lone season as coach, together with Week 18’s 23-16 victory over the Payments that dropped New England from selecting No. 1 within the 2025 draft to No. 4. Mayo, a former linebacker for the Patriots, was employed in January 2024 to switch legendary coach Invoice Belichick, who received six Tremendous Bowl titles with the franchise.
Professionals of the New England job: Drake Maye, the No. 3 decide within the 2024 draft, has proven indicators that he could possibly be a franchise quarterback. The Patriots have $130 million in wage cap house in 2025, and so they at present personal 9 draft picks (4 are throughout the first three rounds). There may be additionally a robust, dedicated possession with Robert and Jonathan Kraft. A brand new football-specific facility is even below development, which is scheduled to open within the spring of 2026 and may assist modernize the workforce’s operations.
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Schefter: Rather a lot has to occur earlier than Vrabel turns into Patriots’ coach
Adam Schefter explains to Pat McAfee why Mike Vrabel is prone to be the subsequent Patriots coach, however not a certainty.
Cons of the New England job: The roster has a number of holes, notably at offensive line, extensive receiver and the entrance seven of the protection. There may be additionally the query of how possession plans to construction issues relating to alignment between the top coach and personnel division. Presently, the Pats’ personnel division is led by govt vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf. — Mike Reiss
Extra protection:
Former coach: Matt Eberflus (fired Nov. 29)
Document with Bears: 14-32 over three seasons
What occurred: The Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus at some point after a 23-20 loss to the Lions that ended with Chicago falling sufferer to clock mismanagement. Eberflus held a information convention through Zoom, saying he was assured he can be teaching the Bears the next week, however hours later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Eberflus was fired and that interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown would take over on an interim foundation. Eberflus’ tenure ended amid a six-game dropping streak that featured an array of final second-losses.
Professionals of the Chicago job: Any coach — and particularly one with an offensive background who would get to put in his system and mould quarterback Caleb Williams right into a franchise star — might be drawn to the Bears’ opening. Chicago has the fifth-most wage cap house in 2025 ($82 million) and a roster with many proficient gamers of their primes. Eberflus received the Bears by an arduous rebuild, and the workforce’s subsequent coach might be in higher place to capitalize on that and switch Chicago right into a official contender.
Cons of the Chicago job: The NFC North is loaded, so the Bears’ path to a division title will not be straightforward. Chicago’s subsequent coach might be paired with a quarterback drafted by another person, so there could be an adjustment interval. And whereas choices by fired Bears coaches (Eberflus and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron) performed a giant function within the workforce’s demise in 2024, holes in locations such because the offensive line would possibly take longer than a season to repair. — Courtney Cronin
Extra protection:
Former coach: Dennis Allen (fired Nov. 4)
Document with Saints: 18-25 over three seasons
What occurred: The Saints fired Allen after dropping their seventh straight sport. Particular groups coordinator Darren Rizzi was named the interim coach, and he addressed the media by noting it was “a troublesome day,” citing Allen as a detailed good friend.
That is the primary midseason firing for the Saints because the late Tom Benson bought the workforce in 1985. The franchise’s final in-season firing occurred when Dick Nolan was ousted after an 0-12 begin to his third season in 1980. The workforce additionally made an in-season change in 1996 when Jim Mora resigned after a 2-6 begin, and New Orleans then went 1-7 below Rick Venturi.
Professionals of the New Orleans job: New Orleans has a secure entrance workplace with one of many longest-tenured basic managers within the league in Mickey Loomis. The Saints have proven an inclination to worth continuity — Sean Payton stayed in New Orleans for 15 years, and the franchise moved on from Allen (who had an extended relationship with the workforce) solely after an extended string of losses. Which means it’s going to doubtless be affected person with the subsequent coach as effectively.
Cons of the New Orleans job: The Saints have wage cap points difficult by their technique of pushing again cap hits with the intention to “win now.” Which means there will not be some huge cash to work with in free company in 2025, and the subsequent coach won’t be capable of make many adjustments to the roster immediately. That might complicate issues if Derek Carr is not the popular quarterback. — Katherine Terrell
Extra protection:
Former coach: Robert Saleh (fired Oct. 8)
Document with Jets: 20-36 over 4 seasons
What occurred: Upset by the workforce’s 2-3 begin, Jets proprietor Woody Johnson made a shocking and unprecedented transfer in firing Saleh and naming defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich because the interim head coach.
Johnson, along with his first in-season teaching change in 25 years of possession, stated he consulted with basic supervisor Joe Douglas however referred to as it “my resolution and mine alone.” Woody Johnson and his brother, Christopher Johnson, the vice chairman, broke the information to Saleh in his workplace on the workforce facility.
Saleh, who promised a number of championships when he was employed in 2021, completed with a 20-36 document and 0 playoff appearances. The Jets have a 13-year playoff absence, the longest energetic drought within the NFL, however they started the season with Tremendous Bowl expectations, largely due to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Professionals of the New York job: The roster contains promising younger gamers, most notably extensive receiver Garrett Wilson, cornerback Sauce Gardner and operating again Breece Corridor. Defensive sort out Quinnen Williams can be nonetheless considered one of many higher inside linemen. After cuts, the workforce ought to have about $80 million in cap room. It additionally has eight draft picks, together with two doubtless top-40 picks.
Cons of the New York job: There’d be no QB1 on the roster if Rodgers is gone. The Jets have Tyrod Taylor, however he is a bridge quarterback at finest. Woody Johnson is thought for meddling in personnel issues, which brought about points with the earlier regime. There’s additionally the dropping tradition; it is actual and has swallowed up each coach since Invoice Parcells (1997-99). — Wealthy Cimini
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