The NFL’s Black Monday came and went this week as a number of franchises took the opportunity to clear house and dispense of their head coaches at the end of the regular season. With the dust still settling, there are currently six top jobs up for grabs. More may well follow in the coming days and weeks depending on how the Bill Belichick situation pans out in New England and any playoff shocks.
The Houston Texans will be the blueprint for any franchise searching for new blood after DeMeco Ryans was able to turn a 3-13-1 team into the playoff-bound AFC South champions this season. So which of the current vacancies is the pick of the bunch? DAZN ranks the vacancies.
6. Carolina Panthers
An easy pick for the least-attractive opening this season. The Panthers have burned through head coaches under David Tepper’s ownership (as have his MLS side Charlotte FC), with the recent footage of him throwing a drink over a fan during a shutout defeat in Jacksonville in Week 17 an indicator of the kind of person who will be your boss. Add to that the fact that the Panthers’ number one first-round draft pick is heading to the Bears this year, plus an aging roster that contains a number of recent draft busts and it’s clear the next head coach will have a huge job on his hands.
On the plus side, rookie quarterback Bruce Young still has time on his side and Tepper has thrown a lot of money at his coaches, so the next man up will be quids in.
5. Tennessee Titans
Mike Vrabel was let go on Tuesday as the Titans enter a period of transition, underlined by the expected departure of franchise lynchpin Derrick Henry. Quarterback Will Levis did enough this season to give his new boss a viable option under centre, but there are plenty of holes to fill on offense, particularly on the line and at wide receiver.
The Titans have the seventh pick in the draft, so should be able to land an impact player there, while their defense has promise.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
After firing Josh McDaniels at the end of October, the Raiders improved greatly under interim boss Antonio Pierce, with the locker room buying into the former linebacker’s methods. You’d imagine that Pierce would get the nod over all but the flashiest of candidates (did someone say Jim Harbaugh?), but whoever takes over will have to do something about the quarterback situation.
The Raiders hold the 13th pick in the draft, so have the ammo to move up, while a move to Nevada would hold an appeal to a certain type of free-agent quarterback or new head coach.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
This one’s there for the taking for a quarterback whisperer who believes he can tap into Justin Herbert’s prime years. The pull of having a QB of Herbert’s nature should not be underplayed when it comes to how attractive this coaching vacancy is, even if the rest of this ageing roster needs some work.
An impact player can be added with their fifth overall draft pick, but just as important will be someone who can rid the Chargers of their also-rans mentality that has plagued them in recent years.
2. Atlanta Falcons
From a team with a true franchise quarterback to a team that has almost everything but one. The Falcons’ 7-10 season was a major disappointment, considering the quality they have at the rest of their skill positions. The likes of Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London are some of the most exciting young players in their respective positions.
If Atlanta can convert their number eight pick in the draft into a decent quarterback, they would be a great bet to win the soft NFC South next season.
1. Washington Commanders
A new era awaits in the nation’s capital and for the first time in years, Washington fans can have reason for optimism. New ownership means Dan Snyder’s off-field distractions are a thing of the past and the second overall draft pick means a franchise quarterback will be there for the taking.
Owner Josh Harris has already signalled his intention to think outside the box by hiring former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers and this forward-thinking will appeal to most candidates.