NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Top 2023 Head Coach Candidates

Five NFL teams fired their head coach either during the 2022 season or shortly after, but none of those franchises have filled their vacancy yet.

However, plenty of interviews have reportedly been taking place. Rumors have tied these job openings to candidates such as former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh of the University of Michigan and others.

So, even if no team announces a head coaching hire this month, some situations appear to be trending in that direction. And it may not be long before one of those vacant slots gets filled.

Here's some of the latest buzz surrounding several top names featured in coaching searches.

Could Payton Be Returning to the NFC South?

AP Photo/Derick Hingle

Sean Payton waves 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)

A new suitor has emerged in the quest to bring Sean Payton back to the NFL sidelines. And it just so happens to be a team he knows well from his time as head coach in New Orleans from 2006-21.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Carolina Panthers received permission to interview the 59-year-old on Sunday, joining the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans as teams that have shown interest in him.

However, because Payton retired last offseason while still under contract with the Saints, a franchise would need to work out a trade with New Orleans in order to hire him.

As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports noted, the cost to do that "would, in theory, be higher for Carolina than any other interested team." That's because the Panthers and Saints are NFC South rivals who play each other twice every regular season.

There's also a chance Payton doesn't go to Carolina or any of the other interested teams, though, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Payton is a 50/50 proposition to return in 2023," Florio wrote. "If not this year, he'll most likely be back next year."

It will be intriguing to follow Payton's situation, as there are a few possibilities for what he'll decide to do this offseason.

'Strong Mutual Interest' Between Harbaugh, Broncos

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)

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that the Denver Broncos had a two-hour virtual meeting with Jim Harbaugh to discuss their head coach vacancy early last week. And it seems that things may have gone well.

"There is some strong mutual interest here, guys," Rapoport said on NFL GameDay Notebook. "Not saying it's going to happen, but at least both sides like each other."

Harbaugh could still stay in Michigan, where he's been head coach since 2015. If he returns to the NFL (where he hasn't been since his 2011-14 tenure with the San Francisco 49ers), though, it's possible he could go to a team other than the Broncos.

Denver has other options, too. Rapoport noted that Harbaugh, Payton and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are the Broncos' "three main candidates."

However, it seems a decent possibility at least that the 59-year-old's return to the NFL will come in Denver.

Will Flores Return to Head Coaching Ranks?

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant Brian Flores works with the defense as they go through drills during practice at NFL football training camp in the Latrobe Memorial Stadium in Latrobe, Pa., Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

After serving as Miami Dolphins head coach from 2019-21, Brian Flores spent the 2022 season as senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, it's possible the 41-year-old could soon be on the move to a new opportunity.

Rapoport reported that the Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Flores for their head coach opening. They are in the market after firing Kliff Kingsbury, who had led the team for the past four seasons.

Even if Flores doesn't go to Arizona, it isn't a sure thing he'll be heading back to Pittsburgh. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports noted that the Atlanta Falcons have requested to interview him to become their defensive coordinator.

If the Cardinals want to hire Flores as their head coach, it seems more likely he'd take that job over one as a DC. But Arizona will surely be interviewing more than one candidate during this process.