NFL Rumors: Recent Chatter Surrounding 2024 Head Coaching Vacancies

Six teams have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs. Eight will play in the Divisional Round this upcoming weekend. And meanwhile, the coaching carousel continues to turn for more than a handful of franchises that are spending January trying to find new head coaches.

It's an eventful time around the league, even for some teams that missed out on the postseason. Coaching searches are unfolding, and quite a few high-profile names appear to be in the running for jobs that are on the market.

There are seven head-coach openings, and it's still possible another one or two could be created coming out of the Wild-Card Round. Here's some of the latest coaching buzz early in what could be an eventful week in the NFL.

Harbaugh Interviews with Chargers, but Nothing Imminent

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 13: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines gestures during the Michigan Wolverines football National Championship celebration on January 13, 2024 at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Jim Harbaugh is again part of the NFL's coaching-carousel conversation. This time, it could lead to the 60-year-old's return to the league. However, don't expect him to announce a potential departure from the University of Michigan too soon.

On Monday, Harbaugh interviewed to become the Los Angeles Chargers' new head coach, as announced by the team. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a decision by either side is "not expected to be imminent," as Harbaugh will be "deliberate" with his future and the Chargers are "going a through interview process" that will include more candidates.

Harbaugh's lone stint as an NFL head coach occurred from 2011-14, when he led the San Francisco 49ers. He has been at Michigan since 2015 and led the Wolverines to a national championship in the 2023 campaign.

It's possible Harbaugh either stays at Michigan or picks an NFL team other than Los Angeles. But the Chargers could be an attractive landing spot for him, as he'd get to work with quarterback Justin Herbert and help try to lead the franchise to its first Super Bowl title.

Seahawks Stacking Up Interview Requests for Opening

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 29: The Seattle Seahawks throwback logo is seen on the football field at Lumen Field before the game against the Cleveland Browns on October 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

For the first time since the 2009 season, the Seattle Seahawks will have a new head coach in 2024. That's because they decided to move on from Pete Carroll, who had been in the role for the past 14 years.

Seattle has quickly piled up interview requests for its opening. It started with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who will talk with the Seahawks regarding the job, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Quinn was previously the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-20.

Pelissero reported that Seattle has requested interviews with Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Las Vegas Raiders DC Patrick Graham. Schefter also reported the Seahawks have requested to talk to Los Angeles Rams DC Raheem Morris and New York Giants OC Mike Kafka.

So it could take a bit before Seattle decides on Carroll's successor. But it should be an in-demand job, considering the Seahawks have a lot of talent on their roster and will be coming off a 2023 season in which they fell just short of the playoffs at 9-8.

Will There Soon Be a New Vacancy in Dallas?

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 14: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys watches action prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys had Super Bowl aspirations, and instead, they were bounced from the playoffs in the NFC Wild-Card Round with a 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers. It was a disappointing showing by Dallas, which could now make some changes at the top of its coaching staff.

Mike McCarthy has been the Cowboys' head coach for four seasons, and he has led them to three consecutive 12-5 campaigns. However, they've gone 1-3 in the playoffs over that span.

"Many people around the league I've spoken to last night and this morning are on high alert with this job, believing that Mike McCarthy's status might be up in the air due to the lack of playoff success," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Monday on SportsCenter.

A name to watch will likely be longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who recently became a coaching free agent and has "cultivated a good relationship over the years" with Dallas owner Jerry Jones and his family, per Fowler. If McCarthy is let go, then Belichick may be the coach who takes over.