The NFL heads into the last Sunday of the regular season with three vacant head-coaching jobs and one GM job. That number is expected to at least double in the coming days. Changes are afoot. Sources predict six to eight head coach openings and two to four GM roles will become available.
Only the Jets have started their search among the current vacancies. They are already conducting three GM interviews and one for a head coach. Lions OC Ben Johnson and ex-Titans coach Mike Vrabel are the top candidates. Every team is interested in them. Other candidates’ futures largely hinge on the decisions of these two prominent figures.
https://www.woocasino.com and similar sites offer a fun way to bet on the NFL coaching carousel. They engage those who enjoy making bold predictions. As the offseason unfolds, expect a flurry of trades and surprises in the league’s top ranks. As much as Johnson and Vrabel may be perceived to compete for jobs, sources say they aren’t.
“A team all-in on Ben won’t be all-in on Vrabel,” a source said. “If a team is looking for Dan Campbell, that’s a Vrabel build. If a team is looking for Ben’s skillset, no one else has it.”
Here’s a look across the NFL landscape as the carousel spins.
Chicago Bears
Bears GM Ryan Poles will lead the search for the next head coach, prioritizing a “leader of men.” Owner George McCaskey will stay hands-off. He will leave the decisions to Poles.
“George wants Ryan to run this,” said one source. He stressed that experts should decide. Yet, another source suggested that McCaskey avoids blame if things go wrong. Team president Kevin Warren may push for a splashy hire to energize fans and aid the team’s stadium plans.
The new coach must plan for quarterback Caleb Williams. His rookie season was inconsistent. The coach must also fix game management issues. Interim head coach Thomas Brown may return to offensive coordinator. He wants to focus on developing Williams.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry and Stephen Jones suggest Mike McCarthy may return as Cowboys head coach. But, it’s unclear if he wants to stay. McCarthy’s contract ends soon, and sources believe he could find another job. While his ties to Dallas and Dak Prescott are strong, no talks have happened yet. A quick decision would help the team. It would secure top coaching talent and avoid uncertainty for staff.
Detroit Lions
Lions coach Dan Campbell is preparing for Sunday’s game against the Vikings. He may lose coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, top head coach candidates. If the Lions secure the No. 1 NFC seed, interviews can begin Wednesday; otherwise, they start Jan. 14. Johnson, highly sought after, is selective and linked to Chicago and Jacksonville. Campbell has succession plans ready. But, Detroit will try to keep key staff with raises or new titles.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year. This puts GM Chris Ballard’s job in jeopardy after eight seasons without an AFC South title. Owner Jim Irsay’s daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, helps make decisions. She may push for change to energize the team. Head coach Shane Steichen is considered safe, but a new GM could align closely with him. Poor communication and a weak defense (27th in points, 29th in yards) are issues. So, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is likely to be fired.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are bracing for big changes. Head coach Doug Pederson will likely coach his last game. A full house cleaning is possible, including GM Trent Baalke. Owner Shad Khan is hands-off. He offers new leadership, a franchise QB, and top facilities. There’s no state income tax. Plus, the team has 10 draft picks in 2025. Staff morale is low, but a search firm is expected to help find replacements.
Miami Dolphins
Since then, Chris Grier has seen one Miami playoff win. It was a wild-card victory in his first season as a scout with the team. During the fall, a strong rumor around the league was that Grier could retire and move to a senior advisor role.
Yet, many wonder if the 84-year-old Stephen Ross would want to search for a new GM. Grier is well-liked in the building.
Tua Tagovailoa will miss his second consecutive game due to a hip injury. Grier has faced major criticism this season. He didn’t prepare the team for a backup after extending the injury-prone starter. Tagovailoa has had many injuries since college. This year, he will play the fewest games in a season since his rookie year.
Final Thoughts
Teams are preparing for big changes as the NFL coaching carousel speeds up. Every team faces challenges and opportunities this offseason, from Chicago to Dallas and Detroit to Jacksonville. They must navigate it, as it’s a crucial time. The stage is set for a change. Top candidates, like Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel, are in high demand. Ownership dynamics and future plans will influence decisions. We will see which teams get their desired leaders in the coming weeks. We will also see who becomes the league’s next decision-makers.
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