With seven NFL groups searching for a brand new head coach and quite a few outstanding coaches obtainable, the teaching carousel is assured to be an attention-grabbing facet of the offseason. It doesn’t matter what occurs, the panorama of the league is assured to look rather a lot totally different subsequent season.
Being the pinnacle coach of any NFL staff comes with a way of notoriety for the way uncommon a place it’s — there are solely 32 such jobs. Nonetheless, each job just isn’t created equal, and a few include extra professionals than cons, whereas others are heavier on the chance aspect.
Beneath is a breakdown of the professionals and cons of every open job, making an allowance for every part from roster, entrance workplace, historical past, fan base and even geographic location.
Regardless that some Ravens followers are excited to show the web page from John Harbaugh, there isn’t any denying his observe file of success over the previous 18 years. Harbaugh set the usual, and if not for a missed area aim, the 2025 staff would’ve made the playoffs.
Execs: The offense is led by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Conversely, the protection is not as imposing because it was years in the past, but it surely nonetheless has expertise.
The entrance workplace needs to win, will do every part potential to attempt to win yearly and has a historical past of drafting properly.
Cons: The expectations will create instantaneous stress — it might be Tremendous Bowl-or-bust for the following coach. Jackson might take convincing to lock in on one other extension based mostly on how tough the negotiations had been final time round.
Add all that collectively, and contemplating the AFC North is commonly broad open, and main Baltimore is definitely the highest job, no less than so long as whoever is employed has a character that matches the blue-collar metropolis.
Some might argue that the Falcons are the second-best job, and a few might have been even shocked that the job is open in any respect, however the head coach of the New York Giants comes with a sure cachet.
Execs: No matter their file, the Giants will at all times be one of many NFL’s marquee organizations. And in contrast to in recent times, Jaxson Dart offers a possible franchise quarterback already on the roster. It is also fairly straightforward to persuade free brokers to return to New York (New Jersey).
Cons: The remainder of the roster is suspect and New York has solely reached the playoffs twice since its final Tremendous Bowl title after the 2011 season.
Each coach is not reduce out for coping with the New York media, and even the nationwide media is commonly situated inside the identical area. New York might be a sleeping big (pun meant) if it could actually discover the fitting match.
Regardless of ending the season on a excessive notice, the Falcons nonetheless determined to maneuver on from Raheem Morris.
Execs: The apparent professionals are expert gamers like operating again Bijan Robinson and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. when wholesome. It is a staff with a budding core and youth on its aspect.
Cons: The offense carried out barely higher below veteran Kirk Cousins down the stretch, the franchise appears to be in a relentless state of flux and has a fan base that is without end scarred by blowing the largest lead in Tremendous Bowl historical past.
Execs: The Titans’ job does have some upside at crucial place. Cam Ward is entrenched because the staff’s beginning quarterback, making the roster-building technique of constructing round him apparent.
Cons: Tennessee has solely gained a mixed six video games in two years and hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2021. There’s simply not practically sufficient round Ward to smell contending.
The competitiveness inside the AFC South lends itself to a staff rising the ranks out of nowhere, form of like what the rival Jacksonville Jaguars did this season.
The Raiders franchise is much from what it was below John Madden and even Jon Gruden, for that matter, but it surely’s nonetheless the Raiders.
Execs: There’s simply one thing concerning the Raiders which means one thing. They’ve a rabid fan base, however attendance in Las Vegas has been an issue at instances. And if you happen to win with the Raiders, you are their king without end.
Cons: Nonetheless, they play in a loaded AFC West, have a roster that lacks expertise and wishes a whole overhaul, one which should include trading the best player.
Mark Davis wants a younger coach, and he must be affected person with him.
2025 will probably be remembered in Cleveland as one other depressing season for the Browns and in addition the historic nature of Myles Garrett breaking the single-season sack file.
Execs: There are few fan bases as loyal, although, win or lose. Cleveland is a superb sports activities metropolis that really cares about its groups, and there isn’t any true world-beater within the North.
Cons: No coach lasts lengthy in Cleveland, free brokers normally must be overpaid to wish to play there and there might be a debate about who the Browns ought to construct round. The primary query any coach interviewed will probably be requested is that if they’re offered on Shedeur Sanders or would favor to look to the draft as soon as once more.
Execs: The climate? In all seriousness, the Cardinals protection has stepped up at instances in recent times and does have some good younger gamers like Dante Stills, granted he regressed from his rookie yr to his third season.
Cons: Any pleasure that after existed about Kyler Murray has evaporated after one other injury-plagued season, missing any progress from Arizona’s former first-round choose.
A playmaker like Marvin Harrison Jr. could also be engaging, however he is removed from sufficient to show the staff round rapidly. The Cardinals’ job is probably going going to be a protracted journey and has the challenges of a tricky division and a stadium environment that may really feel like a street sport for the house staff, relying on the matchup.
