NFL coaching changes 2024: Latest firings, hirings, rumors
The2024 NFL regular seasonis over, and seven teams have moved on from their head coaches. The Cowboys had the most recent departure, as Mike Mike McCarthy is not expected to return and will become a free agent. New England made the first hiringSunday,agreeing to a multiyear contract with Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a Patriots linebacker.
That leaves six openings in the league, which began when the Jetsparted ways withRobert Salehin early October and the SaintsfiredDennis Allen on Nov. 4. The Bears moved on from Matt Eberflus after losing to the Lions on Thanksgiving. And the Patriots, Jaguars and Raiders waited until after their final regular-season games to fire Jerod Mayo, Doug Pederson and Antonio Pierce, respectively, before the Cowboys' move.
Here's everything you need to know about the latest NFL head coach movement, including pros and cons for each open gig.
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Head-coach jobs that have been filled
New England Patriots
Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and was an integral member of three Super Bowl championship teams. He served as Tennessee Titans head coach from 2018-23, posting a 54-45 regular-season record and 2-3 mark in the playoffs, which included a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2019. Vrabel, the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, now replaces Mayo, who was fired Jan. 5 after posting a 4-13 record in his one season as Patriots coach.
The Patriots also interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton for the opening. -- Mike Reiss
More coverage:
- Reiss:How Patriots are trying to turn things around with Mike Vrabel
- Staff:Why the Patriots fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season
- Reiss: Patriots coach Jerod Mayo's roller-coaster first season
Head coach openings
Dallas Cowboys
What happened:McCarthy is not expected to return as the Cowboys' head coach and is now set to become a free agent, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday. McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys expired last Wednesday, but the team held an exclusive negotiating window with the coach until Tuesday at midnight. However, the sides have not had any negotiations regarding a new deal, sources told Schefter on Monday.
Pros of the Dallas job: It's the Dallas Cowboys. It's "the big room," as Bill Parcells once called it. There is talent here withDak Prescott, Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith and DaRon Bland. And young players, likeDeMarvion Overshown, who is coming back from major knee surgery, have showed potential in 2024, which could pay off in 2025 and beyond.
Cons of the Dallas job: There's a lot that comes with being the Cowboys' coach and not all of it is good. Jerry Jones has a large presence. On the field, they have more than 20 players set to become unrestricted free agents, and executive vice president Stephen Jones said the cap will be "tight" in 2025. Will the Cowboys spend to add players to the roster? Will they keep fighting to retain their free agents?-- Todd Archer
- Archer: Cowboys' 2024 roster didn't set Mike McCarthy up to succeed
- Archer:When will Jerry Jones extend Parsons' contract?
Las Vegas Raiders
What happened:The Raiders have fired coach Antonio Pierce after one season, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday. Pierce, who was hired as the team's coach last January after serving as the interim coach for the last nine games of 2023, led the Raiders to a 4-13 record this season. He had said at his media availability Monday that he was operating as if he would remain as the team's coach but acknowledged he had not yet met with team owner Mark Davis.
Pros of the Las Vegas job:The Raiders not only have the No. 6 pick in April's draft, but they also have a boatload of cap space (roughly $73 million for 2025, per Roster Management System). Las Vegas boasts state-of-the-art facilities, has a world-class stadium and rosters two foundational players in tight end Brock Bowers and defensive end Maxx Crosby. Plus ... no state income tax.
Cons of the Las Vegas job: You're probably looking at a total rebuild in a division with three 10-win teams this season and well-established coach-QB combos in Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes, Jim Harbaugh-Justin Herbert and Sean Payton-Bo Nix. Aidan O'Connell showed he can be serviceable in the past month, but an upgrade at quarterback is needed. Plus, more than half of the defensive starters are scheduled to hit free agency, including inside linebacker Robert Spillane and safety Tre'von Moehrig.-- Paul Gutierrez
More coverage:
Jacksonville Jaguars
What happened:The Jaguars have fired Pederson one day after the team ended the season 4-13.The Jaguars have one of the NFL's worst defenses, ranking 31st in the NFL in yards allowed per game (389.9) and last in passing yards allowed per game (257.4) under coordinator Ryan Nielsen, whom Pederson hired to replace Mike Caldwell this past offseason.The Jaguars offense under Press Taylor finished this season as one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 25th in yards per game (305.8), 21st in passing yards per game (204.5) and 21st in third downs (37.3%).
Pros of the Jacksonville job:QuarterbackTrevor Lawrence is locked in through 2030, and there are other key building blocks in rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., left tackle Walker Little, defensives endsJosh Hines-Allen and Travon Walkerand cornerback Tyson Campbell. The AFC South isn't exactly a tough division, either, so there's a potentially quicker path back to the playoffs provided the new staff can get Lawrence to play at a consistently high level.
Cons of the Jacksonville Job: While the Jaguars have roughly $40 million in cap space, they are also saddled with bad contracts from underperforming free agents the team signed last spring (defensive end Arik Armstead, receiver Gabe Davis). Team owner Shad Khan opted not to make a clean sweep, so will the new coach be willing to work with general manager Trent Baalke, who is entering the final year of his contract? -- Michael DiRocco
More coverage:
Chicago Bears
What happened:The Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus one day after a 23-20 loss to the Lions that ended with Chicago falling victim to clock mismanagement. Eberflus held a news conference via Zoom, saying he was confident he would be coaching the Bears the following week, but hours later, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Eberflus was fired and that interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown would take over on an interim basis. Eberflus' tenure ended amid a six-game losing streak that featured an array of last second-losses.
Pros of the Chicago job: Any coach -- and especially one with an offensive background who would get to install his system and mold quarterback Caleb Williams into a franchise star -- will be drawn to the Bears' opening. Chicago has the fifth-most salary cap space in 2025 ($82 million) and a roster with many talented players in their primes. Eberflus got the Bears through an arduous rebuild, and the team's next coach will be in better position to capitalize on that and turn Chicago into a legitimate contender.
Cons of the Chicago job: The NFC North is loaded, so the Bears' path to a division title won't be easy. Chicago's next coach will be paired with a quarterback drafted by someone else, so there might be an adjustment period. And while decisions by fired Bears coaches (Eberflus and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron) played a big role in the team's demise in 2024, holes in places such as the offensive line might take longer than a season to fix.-- Courtney Cronin
More coverage:
- Cronin:Inside Caleb Williams' tumultuous rookie season as Bears QB
- Staff:What's next after Bears fire head coach Matt Eberflus
New Orleans Saints
What happened:The Saints fired Allen after losing their seventh straight game. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was named the interim coach, and he addressed the media by noting it was "a tough day," citing Allen as a close friend.
This is the first midseason firing for the Saints since the late Tom Benson purchased the team in 1985. The franchise's last in-season firing occurred when Dick Nolan was ousted after an 0-12 start to his third season in 1980. The team also made an in-season change in 1996 when Jim Mora resigned after a 2-6 start, and New Orleans then went 1-7 under Rick Venturi.
Pros of the New Orleans job:New Orleans has a stable front office with one of the longest-tenured general managers in the league in Mickey Loomis. The Saints have shown a tendency to value continuity -- Sean Payton stayed in New Orleans for 15 years, and the franchise moved on from Allen (who had a long relationship with the team) only after a long string of losses. That means it will likely be patient with the next coach as well.
Cons of the New Orleans job:The Saints have salary cap issues complicated by their strategy of pushing back cap hits in order to "win now." That means there won't be a lot of money to work with in free agency in 2025, and the next coach might not be able to make many changes to the roster right away. That could complicate things if Derek Carr isn't the preferred quarterback. -- Katherine Terrell
More coverage:
- Terrell:Dennis Allen firing: Where it went wrong with the Saints
- Staff:What does Dennis Allen's firing mean for Saints, Derek Carr?
New York Jets
What happened: Upset by the team's 2-3 start, Jets owner Woody Johnson made a stunning and unprecedented move in firing Saleh and naming defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as the interim head coach.
Johnson, with his first in-season coaching change in 25 years of ownership, said he consulted with general manager Joe Douglas but called it "my decision and mine alone." Woody Johnson and his brother, Christopher Johnson, the vice chairman, broke the news to Saleh in his office at the team facility.
Saleh, who promised multiple championships when he was hired in 2021, finished with a 20-36 record and zero playoff appearances. The Jets have a 13-year playoff absence, the longest active drought in the NFL, but they began the season with Super Bowl expectations, in large part because of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Pros of the New York job:The roster includes promising young players, most notably wide receiverGarrett Wilson, cornerbackSauce Gardner and running backBreece Hall. Defensive tackleQuinnen Williamsis also still regarded as one of the better interior linemen. After cuts, the team should have about $80 million in cap room. It also has eight draft picks, including two likely top-40 selections.
Cons of the New York job:There'd be no QB1 on the roster if Rodgers is gone. The Jets have Tyrod Taylor, but he's a bridge quarterback at best. Woody Johnson is known for meddling in personnel matters, which caused issues with the previous regime. There's also the losing culture; it's real and has swallowed up every coach since Bill Parcells (1997-99). -- Rich Cimini
More coverage:
- Cimini:Who will be the Jets' next coach? The search is taking shape
- Keown:Inside Aaron Rodgers' complicated relationship with the Jets
- Cimini:'I just think we can do better': A look at the Jets' chaotic week, split with Saleh
