NFL Black Monday 2024: Coaches on Hot Seat Rumors and Firing News
The 2023 NFL season is coming to an end on Sunday, putting the league on the precipice of one of the most dreaded days of the year.
Black Monday typically brings a slew of head coaching changes that can shift the landscape of the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers are the only teams that made in-season coaching changes. The Atlanta Falcons made a change not long after their regular season concluded. Those clubs will likely be joined by multiple teams on Monday, as they won't want to wait too long to get started on their search for a new head coach.
Here's a look at the buzz swirling around head coaches as Black Monday approaches.
Falcons' Arthur Smith Fired After Missing Playoffs
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Hours after a season-ending 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith.
Smith's future with the team appeared to be up in the air heading into the regular-season finale.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported before the game that owner Arthur Blank wanted "to assess where things stood after the season."
However, B/R's Jordan Schultz reported after the blowout that there has been "a growing belief in the last two weeks" that Smith "was in trouble if the team collapsed." Sources added that Blank and the Falcons were "likely heading toward a breakup."
The Falcons finished with a 7-10 record but lost four of their last five games, including a demoralizing Week 15 defeat to the Carolina Panthers, who had the worst record in the league.
Following the late-season skid, Atlanta opted to move on from Smith.
Bill Belichick Likely Done in New England, Drawing Interest from Multiple Teams
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The New England Patriots' season ended in disappointing fashion with a 17-3 loss to the New York Jets in snowy conditions at Gillette Stadium, and that likely marked the end of Bill Belichick's legendary run with the team.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that "multiple signs point to this being the end" for Belichick, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins during his tenure. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports echoed that notion but noted that there are questions as to whether Belichick will mutually part ways with the team or if the team will look to trade him, which would take some time. Belichick said after Sunday's loss that he will meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft this week to discuss his future.
If Belichick does become available, he will not be short on options for his next landing spot. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that new Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris "is enamored with the idea of Belichick coaching" the team. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that the Carolina Panthers previously showed interest in Belichick and "might inquire again."
Commanders Likely to Move on from Ron Rivera
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In what might be the least surprising head coaching change, Ron Rivera's time with the Washington Commanders has run out.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Washington "is expected to part ways with Rivera on Monday." Rivera would end his four-year run with the Commanders with three straight seasons of failing to make the playoffs.
The new ownership group led by Josh Harris, who completed the purchase of the franchise in July, could look to make some changes to the front office as well. It was noted by Rapoport and Pelissero that the "status of general manager Martin Mayhew is also in doubt." Harris is believed to be interested in hiring "a president of football operations-type" who would oversee both the head coach and GM.
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Titans' Mike Vrabel 'Frustrated,' Expected to Meet with Team Brass This Week
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Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was in good spirits after leading his team to an upset win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and destroying the playoff hopes of a division rival. However, that doesn't mean everything is peachy in Tennessee.
Per NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, Vrabel has admitted to being "frustrated by the most difficult season of his tenure," and he "is slated for regular year-end meetings this week with team brass that could raise difficult questions about how -- or perhaps if -- the sides should move forward together."
After winning AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021, the Titans have now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years. If there is a disconnect between Vrabel and the front office, it could lead to him being let go and becoming one of the most coveted coaching candidates on the market.
Panthers to Use Consulting Firm in Head Coaching Search
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Finding someone to take over the worst team in the league will be no easy task, so Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper will reportedly have some help.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Tepper has been working with the consulting firm Sportsology, led by former Chelsea FC executive Mike Forde, in order to help shape the future of the Panthers. After the firing of Frank Reich, the opening in Carolina doesn't seem very attractive considering the team has significant roster holes, a shaky young quarterback in Bryce Young and doesn't own its first-round pick in the 2024 draft.
Schefter also noted that "Many now expect that general manager Scott Fitterer will be next" to be fired by Tepper, potentially creating a clean slate situation for prospective hires. Still, there will be an enormous amount of issues to address for the Panthers this offseason.
Raiders' Antonio Pierce Has Players' Support, but Jim Harbaugh Reportedly Is in Play
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Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce has won over the locker room since taking over midway through this season, but that reportedly doesn't mean he's a lock to remain at the helm going forward.
ESPN's Adam Schefter noted that while Raiders owner Mark Davis "is said to be a big fan of Pierce's," there remains a question as to "whether there is another candidate, such as Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, who tempts Davis enough to bypass Pierce." It wouldn't be the first time Davis has overlooked a popular interim coach in favor of another hire, though it didn't work out well for Las Vegas previously.
While team leaders Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams have voiced support for Pierce recently, the Raiders are required to conduct a full search in compliance with the NFL's Rooney Rule. It was noted that the team's assistant coaches and staffers were told that they would not be blocked from looking for other jobs, which could be an indication that Pierce's job isn't safe.
Chargers 'Casting a Wide Net,' Not Just Looking at Big Names
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The Los Angeles Chargers present arguably the most intriguing opening. The sunshine of California and the opportunity to coach one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Justin Herbert are just things that other teams can't offer.
However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that while big names like Bill Belichick or Jim Harbaugh "make the most sense for what this organization might need," the Chargers are "casting a wide net, being exhaustive in their search, and are not thought to have any favorites for the job at the moment."
It can be expected that prospective candidates will be more than open to the possibility of coaching in Los Angeles, but it will be up to president of football operations John Spanos to make the right decision for the team's future.
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