Three groups fired their head coaches earlier than the 2023 NFL common season got here to a detailed Sunday, and 4 have adopted swimsuit within the days following.
The Raiders began the teaching carousel on Nov. 1, parting methods with coach Josh McDaniels and normal supervisor Dave Ziegler. On Nov. 27, the Panthers fired Frank Reich, who has now been fired in back-to-back seasons. Then, on Dec. 15, the Chargers dismissed coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco, whereas the Falcons dismissed Arthur Smith after their season finale on Sunday. The Commanders then fired coach Ron Rivera on Monday morning, and on Tuesday the Titans fired Mike Vrabel.
Information broke Wednesday that the Seattle Seahawks relieved Pete Carroll of head-coaching duties, however they’re protecting him within the group as an advisor.
Plus, seven coordinators have been let go over the previous three months, and there might be extra openings quickly.
Here is all the things it’s essential to know concerning the newest NFL head coach motion, with information and intel on open jobs, professionals and cons for every opening and candidates who could possibly be within the combine for interviews. Plus, now we have updates on offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator openings.
Soar to a gap:
Chargers | Panthers | Raiders | Falcons | Commanders | Titans | Seahawks
Coordinators who’ve been fired
Head-coach openings
Former coach: Pete Carroll (fired Jan. 10)
File with Seahawks: 170-120-1 over 18 seasons, together with 14 with Seattle
What occurred: The Seahawks ended their season with a win over the Cardinals however missed out on a wild-card berth with a 9-8 report. They acquired off to a 5-2 begin that briefly had them in first place within the NFC West, however a second-half skid doomed their playoff hopes.
Former coach: Mike Vrabel (fired Jan. 9)
File with Titans: 54-45 over six seasons
What occurred: The Titans have fired Vrabel, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Vrabel led Tennessee to 4 consecutive successful seasons after arriving in 2018, however the Titans have skilled back-to-back irritating seasons, ending a number of video games beneath .500 each instances. The Titans completed 6-11 this season.
Former coach: Ron Rivera (fired Jan. 8)
File with Commanders: 26-40-1 over 4 seasons
What occurred: New Commanders proprietor Josh Harris made his first main staffing transfer since shopping for the franchise final summer season, firing Rivera after 4 seasons with the group. The Commanders completed the 2023 season 4-13 after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys within the season finale Sunday.
Professionals of the Washington job: Washington has a brand new proprietor with a status for offering assets and for being affected person. The Commanders are in a much better spot beneath Harris than they had been with earlier proprietor Dan Snyder. Additionally, they’ve the second total draft choose and 5 picks within the prime 100. Plus based mostly on early wage cap projections, they will have essentially the most area within the NFL.
Cons of the Washington job: Washington must rebuild each strains and discover a quarterback. The roster wants work, which it will probably deal with within the draft. The stadium wants upgrades and the group might be there for not less than one other six years. The group facility is small and, regardless of current enhancements, thought of outdated. They may not construct a brand new one for a number of extra years.
Newest intel: Harris has employed two outstanding executives — former Golden State Warriors normal supervisor Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman — to help his possession group with searches for a brand new head of soccer operations and a head coach, franchise officers instructed ESPN. Myers, the architect of 4 championships with the Warriors and a present ESPN NBA analyst, and Spielman, a 30-year NFL front-office govt, will work with Harris and his restricted companions as a part of an advisory committee designed to reshape the Commanders’ entrance workplace and training workers, group officers instructed ESPN. — John Keim
Former coach: Arthur Smith (fired Jan. 7)
File with Falcons: 21-30 over three seasons
What occurred: The Falcons fired Smith after a season-ending 48-17 loss to the rival Saints knocked them out of the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. The Falcons dropped 4 of their final 5 video games to complete third in a winnable NFC South and miss the playoffs. Atlanta completed 7-10 in every of Smith’s three seasons and will by no means determine issues out at quarterback, volleying forwards and backwards between second-year man Desmond Ridder and veteran Taylor Heinicke this season, with little success.
Professionals of the Atlanta job: The Falcons assembled a very good roster over the previous three seasons beneath Smith, together with Professional Bowlers in proper guard Chris Lindstrom and security Jessie Bates III, together with offensive playmakers Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. There’s additionally some cap flexibility with over $40 million in cap area, in response to ESPN’s Roster Administration System.
Cons of the Atlanta job: The quarterback place is an issue for those who’re a coach who desires to enter a state of affairs with a longtime QB in place. It begins there. The group’s defensive position and edge rushers may additionally want an overhaul. And relying on what you are searching for, having the group’s facility an hour north of the town could possibly be a detractor. Additionally, the franchise hasn’t had a successful season since 2017, and because of this, the fan base generally does not present up.
Newest intel: An absence of quarterback success and inconsistency on the sector did Arthur Smith in on the sector. Whereas Arthur Clean is understood across the league as a affected person proprietor, this can now be his third head coach this decade, and the primary mandate for the brand new coach is prone to be solidifying the quarterback place. — Michael Rothstein
Former coach: Brandon Staley (fired Dec. 15)
File with Chargers: 24-24 over three seasons
What occurred: After 2½ seasons highlighted by lofty expectations and routine letdowns, the Chargers fired Staley and Telesco after their 63-21 drubbing by the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15.
The Chargers reached the playoffs as soon as beneath Staley (2022), exiting within the wild-card spherical with a 27-point blown result in the Jacksonville Jaguars, the third-largest comeback in playoff historical past. He grew to become the second Chargers head coach to be fired midseason since 1970, becoming a member of Kevin Gilbride, who was fired in 1998. The Chargers employed Staley due to his success as a defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, however his defenses struggled the previous three seasons.
Professionals of the L.A. job: With Justin Herbert locked right into a long-term deal, the brand new coach will inherit probably the greatest quarterbacks within the NFL in his prime. Los Angeles may additionally be selecting within the prime 10 of April’s NFL draft, the place it might choose an influence participant.
Cons of the L.A. job: The Chargers are projected to be $34.8 million over the wage cap subsequent 12 months, in response to ESPN’s Roster Administration System. The brand new normal supervisor might need to restructure or commerce the contracts of a number of the group’s stars, together with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. There’s additionally the Chargers’ place in Los Angeles’ sports activities panorama, the place they’re considerably of an afterthought. They primarily play 17 highway video games, as opposing followers dominate SoFi Stadium, they usually depend on a silent snap depend at residence.
Newest intel: The Chargers named exterior linebackers coach Giff Smith the interim coach and JoJo Picket interim normal supervisor. It was the primary time they fired a coach and normal supervisor midseason, and group proprietor Dean Spanos stated it was as a result of they “are clearly not the place we anticipate to be” and wanted a brand new imaginative and prescient. “Doing nothing within the title of continuity was not a danger I used to be prepared to take,” he stated. — Kris Rhim
Former coach: Frank Reich (fired Nov. 27)
File with Panthers: 1-10 in lone season
What occurred: Staff proprietor David Tepper fired Reich lower than 24 hours after the proprietor left the locker room muttering an expletive following a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Reich’s tenure at Carolina ended with an NFL-worst 1-10 report, together with an 0-6 mark on the highway. He additionally turns into the primary NFL head coach for the reason that 1970 merger to be fired in back-to-back seasons after final 12 months’s dismissal from the Indianapolis Colts.
Particular groups coach Chris Tabor was appointed as interim coach, whereas offensive coordinator Thomas Brown assumed playcalling duties with assist from senior assistant Jim Caldwell.
Professionals of the Carolina job: The Panthers have a quarterback who might be coming into the second 12 months of a rookie deal and virtually $40 million in cap area to construct round him. They’ve the nucleus of a strong protection in Brian Burns, Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn. They’ve the NFL’s second-wealthiest proprietor who’s prepared to pay prime greenback for the coach and workers.
Cons of the Carolina job: Tepper has modified coaches 3 times in 5 seasons, so he has proven a scarcity of persistence. He additionally has a status for being too hands-on when it comes to soccer selections. The offensive line is a large number, the receiving corps is under common and Younger nonetheless has to show he could be the franchise participant the Panthers felt he could be after they picked him No. 1 within the 2023 draft.
Newest intel: Being caught on video apparently throwing a drink within the route of Jaguars followers through the 26-0 loss in Week 17 will not assist Tepper in his seek for a brand new coach, one NFL govt instructed ESPN. As the chief famous, Tepper now should persuade a coach to affix a corporation that has six straight dropping seasons beneath an proprietor who has made three teaching modifications since 2019 and now has a picture drawback from his personal off-the-field conduct.
The Panthers now have 12 folks they wish to interview for the head-coaching job, together with two in-house candidates in interim head coach/particular groups coordinator Chris Tabor and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Carolina blocked the Jaguars’ try and interview Evero for his or her defensive coordinator opening, league sources instructed ESPN. Probably, Tabor and Evero are candidates to affix the brand new coach’s workers, per a supply with direct information of the state of affairs. The Panthers’ focus stays on an offensive-minded coach, with seven of the dozen candidates coming from that facet of the ball. — David Newton
Former coach: Josh McDaniels (fired Nov. 1)
File with Raiders: 9-16 over two seasons
What occurred: The Raiders fired McDaniels and normal supervisor Dave Ziegler at some point after dropping 26-14 at Detroit on “Monday Evening Soccer,” their second consecutive defeat through which the group’s offense might get no traction. With the defeat, the Raiders dropped to 3-5.
McDaniels and Ziegler, each employed in January 2022, inherited a 10-7 group that made an sudden run to the playoffs through the 2021 season. The Raiders named linebackers coach Antonio Pierce as their interim coach. The group additionally stated that assistant normal supervisor Champ Kelly will function interim GM.
Professionals of the Las Vegas job: The Raiders play in a state-of-the artwork stadium that can host the Tremendous Bowl in February, and their residence base is the “Taj Mahal” of NFL services, per Patriots coach Invoice Belichick. There’s elite expertise beneath contract on either side of the ball, from receiver Davante Adams to edge rusher Maxx Crosby to specialists AJ Cole, the punter, and Daniel Carlson, the kicker. Plus, there is no such thing as a state earnings tax in Nevada.
Cons of the Las Vegas job: The franchise is snakebit, with solely two playoff appearances up to now 20 seasons, and continuity is a international idea because the Raiders have had 13 totally different coaches, common and interim, in the identical timeframe. The group has given rookie Aidan O’Connell each alternative to win the beginning quarterback gig, however the jury remains to be out, at greatest. To maneuver up within the 2024 draft to seize one of many prime two QB prospects, the Raiders would most likely should commerce Adams, and that most likely defeats the aim for fast success, particularly in a division that can be residence to the Chiefs. Which implies any coach most likely wants a three-year window to implement his plan.
Newest intel: Heading into Sunday’s season finale towards the Broncos, Pierce has gone 4-4 because the Raiders interim coach since changing the fired Josh McDaniels on Nov. 1. He is impressed with the way in which he is modified the tradition, had gamers purchase in to his management type — All-Professional WR Davante Adams stated he would “run by means of a wall for that man” — and had spectacular wins towards division rivals within the Chargers (63-21) and Chiefs (20-14). However Pierce’s inexperience in sport conditions (clock administration, timeout administration, maybe sticking with rookie QB Aidan O’Connell too lengthy in winnable video games they misplaced to the Vikings and Colts) leaves simply as a lot to be desired.
Many nonetheless see Pierce because the clubhouse chief, although, as long as he upgrades at offensive coordinator and quarterback. However now Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who employed Don Yee as his agent, is beginning to be linked to the Raiders. Yee can be the agent for Tom Brady, who has develop into considered one of Raiders proprietor Mark Davis’ chief confidants. And bear in mind, Harbaugh started his teaching profession with the Raiders in 2002.
And remember about Jon Gruden, who may have his day in courtroom subsequent week in Las Vegas to see if his lawsuit towards the NFL can go ahead. As his lawyer stated in courtroom in Might 2022, Gruden would drop the swimsuit if he was given his job again. Plus, Davis by no means actually needed to half methods with Gruden within the wake of his electronic mail controversy in October 2021. Nonetheless, irrespective of which route Davis goes, he’s required to interview not less than two exterior minority candidates to be in compliance with the NFL’s Rooney Rule. — Paul Gutierrez
Coordinator openings
Former defensive coordinator: Wink Martindale (parted methods Jan. 10)
A supply had instructed ESPN on Monday that Martindale was anticipated to resign from his job. That call got here after the group fired two of his closest assistants, strikes that prompted Martindale to curse out coach Brian Daboll, a supply confirmed to ESPN. Martindale is free to signal elsewhere with out restrictions, a supply instructed ESPN. The Giants will hold the $3 million he was owed, in response to the settlement by each events, the supply stated.
Former offensive coordinator: Luke Getsy (fired Jan. 10)
The Bears’ offense confirmed enchancment in Getsy’s second season in Chicago, however it was finally not sufficient for the group to maneuver ahead with the 39-year-old offensive coordinator. Chicago’s offense ranked seventeenth in offensive factors per sport (20.4), which is its highest mark since rating eleventh in 2018, in response to ESPN Stats & Info. The passing offense improved from thirty second to twenty seventh (182.1 yards per sport) whereas the Bears owned the NFL’s No. 2 dashing offense.
The Bears’ season ended with a 17-9 loss at Inexperienced Bay, the second time since Week 12 that Chicago failed to attain a landing. The offense got here away with one landing mixed in its last three highway video games and was held to twenty or fewer factors in 10 video games this season.
In the meantime, league sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Bears are protecting head coach Matt Eberflus.
Former defensive coordinator: Mike Caldwell (Jan. 8)
In the future after the Jaguars did not make the playoffs after beginning the season with an 8-3 report, they fired Caldwell. Coach Doug Pederson introduced Caldwell to the Jaguars when Pederson was employed in 2022. The Jaguars protection allowed 239.8 passing yards per sport this season, which ranked twenty sixth within the NFL.
Former defensive coordinator: Jack Del Rio (fired Nov. 24)
The Commanders fired Del Rio after a 45-10 loss to the Cowboys, which was their eighth loss in 10 video games. That they had hoped the protection could be a constant power, however as a substitute, the protection grew to become an albatross, because the group ranked worst in factors allowed. Coach Ron Rivera took over the defensive playcalling for the remainder of the season.
Former offensive coordinator: Matt Canada (fired Nov. 21)
Citing offensive inconsistencies and lack of enchancment, the Steelers fired Canada, who had been the Steelers’ offensive coordinator since 2021. Pittsburgh’s offense struggled by means of Canada’s tenure as offensive coordinator, by no means eclipsing 400 yards of offense in his 45-game profession, together with the playoffs. Working backs coach Eddie Faulkner took over offensive coordinator duties, however quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will take the “bulk” of the playcalling obligations.
Former offensive coordinator: Ken Dorsey (fired Nov. 14)
The Payments made a giant change amid a downward flip to a season trending under expectations, firing Dorsey and naming quarterbacks coach Joe Brady as his interim substitute. The transfer got here hours after Buffalo’s loss to the Denver Broncos on “Monday Evening Soccer,” because the Payments turned the ball over 4 instances and had a season-high 4 drops.
Former offensive coordinator: Mick Lombardi (fired Nov. 1)
When the Raiders parted methods with coach McDaniels and normal supervisor Ziegler, in addition they fired Lombardi, with quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree being promoted to offensive coordinator. On the time, the Raiders had the No. 31 whole offense within the NFL, ranked No. 32 in dashing yards per sport (70) and ranked No. 30 in factors per sport (15.8).
