The 2024 NFL free-agent head-coaching class is arguably the best ever and is so stacked that future Corridor of Famers and former Coach of the Yr winners won’t land a job this offseason. With seven head-coaching jobs nonetheless up for grabs, listed below are our predictions as to who will fill every opening.
Atlanta Falcons: former Patriots HC Invoice Belichick
Except the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles resolve to fireplace their head coaches, the Falcons seem to be the almost certainly touchdown spot for Belichick, significantly since they’ve already interviewed him. Despite the fact that Belichick endured his worst season as a coach in 2023, he doubtless would’ve had extra success with an offense like Atlanta’s, and his protection was nonetheless robust (seventh in yards allowed). The six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach’s defensive experience might elevate Atlanta’s unit, which was on the cusp of being nice earlier than DT Grady Jarrett’s season-ending ACL tear (twelfth in factors and sixth in yards allowed).
Carolina Panthers: Texans OC Bobby Slowik
It’s going to be fascinating to see who Carolina convinces to simply accept the NFL’s least fascinating teaching job, because it does not personal a 2024 first-round choose and has the least gifted roster within the league along with the worst proprietor. In line with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Carolina is “intrigued” by the thought of hiring a first-time offensive-minded head coach to pair with present DC Ejiro Evero, and Slowik would match the invoice on this regard. Houston went from averaging the second-fewest yards and third-fewest factors in 2022 to rating twelfth and thirteenth in these respective classes in its first season below Slowik.
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
Regardless of his restricted expertise, Pierce proved he is the suitable selection to steer the Raiders by main the workforce to a 5-4 document after Josh McDaniels’ mid-season firing. In that span, Las Vegas solidified itself as one of many NFL’s high defensive items, permitting the fewest factors (16) and Eleventh-fewest yards per recreation (324.9). If the on-field outcomes aren’t sufficient for proprietor Mark Davis to rent Pierce completely, the chance of dropping the locker room and key stars like edge-rusher Maxx Crosby needs to be sufficient to sway him.
Los Angeles Chargers: Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh
Maybe essentially the most polarizing candidate of this hiring cycle, many anticipate Harbaugh to leap again to the professionals after delivering a nationwide championship to Michigan and seeing QB J.J. McCarthy declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. Up to now, Harbaugh has thought-about returning to the NFL, however no workforce was geared up with a quarterback as gifted as Justin Herbert, who would most likely give him his greatest likelihood at successful a Tremendous Bowl. Harbaugh interviewed with the Chargers on Monday, and Fowler later famous there’s “mutual curiosity” between the edges, so it appears all indicators are pointing to him touchdown in Los Angeles.
Seattle Seahawks: Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
Quinn, Seattle’s defensive coordinator throughout the 2013 and 2014 seasons, emerged as a candidate for its head-coaching emptiness shortly after Pete Carroll’s firing, signaling {that a} reunion is extra doubtless than not. Though Quinn’s failed stint as Atlanta’s head coach and the Cowboys protection’s disastrous exhibiting in Sunday’s wild-card loss would possibly increase considerations about his potential to achieve Seattle, the 53-year-old’s work within the 2023 common season should not be missed. Dallas’ protection ranked fifth in each scoring and yardage this season, in addition to eighth in interceptions (17).
Tennessee Titans: Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
The disconnect between workforce brass and Mike Vrabel was one of many causes for the previous Coach of the Yr’s termination, which suggests Tennessee will rent a candidate who would not need as a lot management. Usually, meaning bringing on somebody missing head-coaching expertise, and whereas it has develop into the pattern across the NFL to rent offensive-minded coaches, Macdonald would nonetheless be a wonderful addition. Tennessee’s protection has proven glimpses of promise, and Macdonald might increase its ceiling, particularly contemplating Baltimore’s defensive unit has ranked inside the highest three in scoring and high 10 in yardage over the past two seasons.
Washington Commanders: Lions OC Ben Johnson
As per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Johnson is Washington’s “best choice” among the many out there candidates, and it is arduous to think about he’d move up on such an excellent alternative. Johnson has helped remodel the Lions offense right into a top-five unit and contributed to QB Jared Goff’s resurgence. With an array of weapons like WRs Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, together with the prospect to draft a high quarterback within the 2024 NFL Draft, Washington might shortly develop into an elite offense below Johnson.
