Best Fits for Broncos, Panthers, Texans, More HC Openings Amid Latest NFL Rumors

Another Black Monday has passed, and the NFL's coaching carousel is in full swing. There are plenty of head-coach openings around the league, with teams now trying to figure out who they should bring in to lead their franchise in a new direction.

Some of the rumored top candidates are unsurprising names. Several former NFL head coaches appear to be in the mix, as well as top coordinators from around the league.

It may not take too long for hires to be made for some of these openings. Other teams will wait a bit longer, potentially waiting for the playoffs to unfold before finalizing a move.

As rumors begin to fly around the league, here's a look at the best fits for several of the head-coaching jobs that are now available.

Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Derick Hingle

Sean Payton reacts during an NFL football press conference announcing his resignation as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Metairie, La. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

The Broncos didn't wait until Black Monday to fire Nathaniel Hackett, as the first-year head coach failed to make it to the end of his debut season in Denver. He was let go on Dec. 26, a day after the Broncos fell to 4-11 with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Some big names are reportedly in the mix for the Denver job. According to Jonathan Jones of NFL on CBS, the Broncos have requested to interview former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Denver needs a head coach who can come in and help quarterback Russell Wilson get back on track after a down season. And who better to do that than Payton?

The Broncos would likely need to part with draft capital to bring in Payton, who retired while he was still under contract with the Saints. But it should be worth it, as the 59-year-old was successful throughout his 15-year tenure in New Orleans and would have a high chance of turning things around in Denver.

Best fit: Sean Payton

Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks watches during the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The first head-coach opening that was created during the 2022 season was the Carolina Panthers' job. They fired Matt Rhule after a 1-4, opting to go in a new direction early in his third year at the helm.

Steve Wilks took over as the interim head coach and went 6-6 while leading the Panthers the rest of the way. Wilks, who went 3-13 in his lone season as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach in 2018, is now in the mix to take over the job on a permanent basis, as The Athletic's Joe Person reported the 53-year-old will be interviewing with the team on Tuesday.

Carolina has external candidates as well, though. According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Panthers also plan to interview former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich and former NFL head coach Jim Caldwell.

However, Wilks may be the best man for the job. He led Carolina to better results than most expected, keeping it in the NFC South race for most of the season. It may be time for him to get another head-coaching opportunity.

Best fit: Steve Wilks

Houston Texans

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Once again, the Houston Texans are in the market for a new head coach after firing Lovie Smith at the end of their 3-13-1 season on Sunday night. So when the 2023 campaign arrives, they'll have a different leader patrolling the sidelines in Week 1 for the fourth consecutive year.

There appear to be a lot of candidates in the mix. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Texans have requested to interview a trio of defensive coordinators: San Francisco's Ryans, Denver's Ejiro Evero and Philadelphia's Jonathan Gannon. Houston is also going to meet with Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, per Rapoport, and Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Ryans' may be the most intriguing name on that list. The 38-year-old has had tremendous success leading the 49ers' defense, helping them become one of the most dominant units in the league.

Not only that, but Ryans is a former Texans player. He was selected by the team in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft, then suited up for Houston from 2006-11. What better spot for him to get his first head-coaching opportunity than with his former franchise?

Best fit: DeMeco Ryans

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against TCU, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

After making the unorthodox decision to bring in former player Jeff Saturday to serve as their interim head coach for the final eight games of the 2022 season, the Colts will now try to find a permanent man for the job. Saturday went 1-7 after Indianapolis fired Reich following a 3-5-1 start.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Saturday is interested in becoming the Colts' full-time head coach. However, he doesn't yet have an interview scheduled with the team.

The name at the top of Indianapolis' list may be Harbaugh. The Athletic's Zak Keefer reported last month that league sources were "convinced" the Colts would pursue the former 49ers head coach.

Harbaugh has had a ton of success in the college ranks, and now it could be time for the 59-year-old to return to the NFL. It may work out for him to go to Indianapolis, where he played from 1994-97.

Best fit: Jim Harbaugh