January 24th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
As the head coaching carousel spins this offseason, we look at the seven head coaching openings and the incoming coaches looking to turn around the franchises. While not every franchise moved as quickly as the Patriots to replace their outgoing coach, there is no doubt that many teams have been waiting for certain teams to wrap up their playoff run before they can hire a coach away from one of the final teams.
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Dallas Cowboys:
Previous Head Coach - Mike McCarthy (7-10 in 2024, 49-25 overall with the Cowboys)
Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys parted ways at the end of the season when the two sides could not come to a new contract. McCarthy left after five seasons and several division titles, but could never get it done in the playoffs.
New Head Coach - Brian Schottenheimer, promoted from the team's offensive coordinator
While the team couldn't work out a new contract with McCarthy, keeping Schottenheimer on staff will help provide consistency for the offense to continue building around Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Chicago Bears:
Previous Head Coach - Matt Eberflus (4-8 in 2024, 14-32 overall with the Bears)
Eberflus was fired by the Bears during the season after a season when the NFC North was arguably the toughest division in the league. Caleb Williams showed flashes throughout the season, but it was not enough to fuel an offense to compete with three playoff teams sharing the same division.
New Head Coach - Ben Johnson, former Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator
After several wildly successful years of running a high-powered offense in Detroit, Johnson will take over the Bears franchise. After helping to turn former first-round pick Jared Goff from castoff to potential All-Pro. Johnson oversaw one of the most potent offenses in the league. Bears fans hope that Johnson can work his magic with Williams and replicate the high-scoring offense in the Windy City.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Previous Head Coach - Doug Pederson (4-13 in 2024, 33-39 overall with the Jaguars)
Pederson was let go at the end of his third season in Jacksonville, as the team declined each season under his stewardship. After taking the AFC South title in his first season, the team regressed to second last year, and finished third in 2024, leading to his ouster.
New Head Coach - Liam Coen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2024
Coen had an awkward departure from the Bucs - first he was interested in the position, but turned it down, and only returned to the Jaguars after they fired their GM. While Coen may be a successful head coach, his experience in the league could show through. He has not coached anywhere in consecutive seasons above an assistant position coach. He has some impressive players he has coached, but it’s hard to get a read on where the Jaguars will go under him.
Las Vegas Raiders:
Previous Head Coach - Antonio Pierce (4-13 in 2024, 9-17 overall with the Raiders)
Pierce was fired after his sole season as the head coach - a disappointing 4-13 season following a rather successful 2023 where he took over midseason as their interim coach. However, he wasn’t able to continue the momentum into 2024, leading to his outing.
New Head Coach - Pete Carroll, Seahawks head coach from 2010-2023
Carroll was fired by the Seahawks after last season and sat out coaching for the 2024 season. Carroll is joining the Raiders in what is now one of the most accomplished divisions for coaching success. Between Carroll, Reid, Payton and Harbaugh, they have won eight championships between the NFL and College
New Orleans Saints:
Previous Head Coach - Dennis Allen (4-13 in 2024, 9-17 overall with the Saints)
Allen was fired after a disappointing two years after he took over for now-Broncos head coach, Sean Payton. The Saints never were able to gain traction under Allen, finishing below .500 both seasons.
New Head Coach - TBD
New York Jets:
Previous Head Coach - Robert Saleh (2-3 in 2024, 20-36 overall with the Jets)
A firing that may be considered long overdue, Robert Saleh was fired after four seasons. After some big swings to turn the franchise around, the Jets are hitting the reset button. With a new head coach and general manager coming in this offseason, there will be a potential to hit reset quickly.
New Head Coach - Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator from 2021-2024
The Jets had targeted Glenn early in the process. Glenn is a typical for the Jets head coaching role, since they have consistently hired only defensive-minded head coaches. Glenn also patrolled the Jets secondary during his playing days, and was eager to return to the team that drafted him.
New England Patriots:
Previous Head Coach - Jerod Mayo (4-13 in 2024 in only season with the Patriots)
Mayo was fired at the conclusion of his only head coaching season after finishing 4-13. Mayo was long considered the head-coach-in-waiting behind former head coach Bill Belichick, but the team could not get it done.
New Head Coach - Mike Vrabel, Titans head coach from 2018 - 2023
After a disastrous one-and-done season by Jerod Mayo, the Patriots quickly turned to the former Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel. He brings six years of experience as a head coach, but the most crucial question will be if he can put the offensive coaching staff together to help second-year quarterback Drake Maye be successful. Vrabel returned to Foxboro where he played for many seasons.