Bill Belichick, NFL HC Candidates' Ideal Landing Spots as Jim Harbaugh Joins Chargers
The 2024 NFL head coaching hiring cycle is in full swing, and while four vacancies have been filled, there are still four more teams in need of a head coach this winter.
The New England Patriots kicked off this year's cycle by elevating linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick, and the Las Vegas Raiders followed that up by removing the interim tag from Antonio Pierce.
The Tennessee Titans announced Wednesday that they hired former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to replace Mike Vrabel, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Los Angeles Chargers are hiring former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh as a replacement for Brandon Staley.
The Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders are the four teams that remain entrenched in the hiring process.
Here's a look at the ideal candidate for each of those franchises.
Atlanta Falcons: Bill Belichick
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The Falcons have been heavily linked to Bill Belichick this winter, and while they continue to do their due diligence with numerous candidates, it feels like the former New England Patriots head coach is the front-runner for the job.
The 71-year-old, who has completed two interviews with the Falcons, was among the first candidates to meet with the franchise and was even reportedly flown out for his second interview on team owner Arthur Blank's private jet.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports also reported Sunday, citing a source, that Blank "'desperately' wants Belichick and that it's ultimately Belichick's job if he wants it." Jones added that the source said it's "50/50 right now that he takes the job."
Belichick is also said to be interested in coaching "talented, yet underachieving teams," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who added that "Atlanta probably falls in that category."
The Falcons finished each of the last three seasons with a 7-10 record. They were expected to perform better in 2023 with a roster that included Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Jessie Bates III, but no progress was made and Arthur Smith was fired.
Belichick ending up in Atlanta seems like a strong bet, especially considering he hasn't been interviewed by any other franchise with a head coaching vacancy.
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Vrabel
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Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was once believed to be one of Seattle's top candidates to replace Pete Carroll, but since his defense was shredded in a 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, it appears he may not be as desired as he once was.
One of the best defensive minds available in this year's hiring cycle is former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, and the Seahawks are interested in meeting with the ex-linebacker, according to Schefter.
Peter King of NBC Sports also said during appearance on Pro Football Talk (h/t Adam Schultz of Sports Illustrated) that he believes Vrabel and the Seahawks are a perfect match:
"There is not a more perfect match in this coaching season than Mike Vrabel and John Schneider with the Seattle Seahawks. Look, Pete Carroll, fantastic for that organization but in my opinion I think that one of the things that probably a lot of guys in that team in that organization, they just started rolling their eyes at the end about Pete Carroll and the cheerleader stuff."
"I don't think you're going to roll your eyes at Mike Vrabel because he's one of those guys from the Belichick school, you do it my way or it's the highway. John Schneider has proven over time that he can bring in the players, that he can go find a quarterback with the 75th pick. I love Mike Vrabel in Seattle and I think that would be a match made in heaven for the Seahawks."
Vrabel spent six seasons as head coach of the Titans, leading the franchise to a 54-45 record and three postseason appearances in that span.
The 48-year-old has the experience necessary to take the Seahawks to the next level, and perhaps he can restore the franchise's defense to one of the best in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers: Ben Johnson
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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has, arguably, been the hottest head coaching candidate on the market this winter, and the Carolina Panthers have been eyeing him for a long time.
The 37-year-old first interviewed with the Panthers during the 2023 hiring cycle but declined a second interview and decided to remain with the Lions for the 2023 season. Carolina went on to hire Frank Reich, who was fired following a 1-10 start to the year.
With the position available again, the Panthers appear to be targeting Johnson, as Fowler previously reported the franchise "would love to find a way" to hire him:
"He will have better options than the Panthers, however. The majority of their nine coaching candidates are on the offensive side, and Baltimore's Todd Monken is the only one from that group above the age of 42. A young offensive mind is clearly on the table. Pairing one with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and an analytical-and-cap-based GM makes sense. Five of their eight initial GM candidates come from that ilk."
The Athletic's Dianna Russini also reported that Panthers owner David Tepper wants to hire Johnson, who is "open to the job."
"Owner David Tepper is going to try again for Ben Johnson, according to a league source," Russini wrote. "The play-caller is open to the job and will also be meeting with other teams that are expected to show interest, the source said. There's a sense around the league that general manager Scott Fitterer may help with some of the transition but still may not be safe in his job. Carolina could be starting anew."
The Carolina head coaching job brings with it immense pressure following the franchise's 2-15 finish to the 2023 season, but hiring Johnson may be just what the team needs to jump-start the career of Bryce Young.
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Washington Commanders: Eric Bieniemy
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Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Eric Bieniemy has been viewed as a head coaching candidate since his days with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he has been passed on in each of the last several seasons.
After leading some of the most successful offenses in the NFL, the 54-year-old at least deserves a shot to prove what he can do. And considering he's already familiar with the Commanders, the transition to head coach would be relatively smooth.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Sunday that Bieniemy was interviewed for the position and presented an "excellent" and "highly detailed" vision when meeting with Commanders officials.
ProFootballTalk's Josh Alper added that he is "believed to be a viable candidate for the Commanders job and his interview was not simply a courtesy because he was a member of [Ron] Rivera's final staff."
While he wouldn't be the most exciting hire, Washington would benefit from promoting someone like Bieniemy, who has a history of developing a winning culture dating back to his time as offensive coordinator of the Chiefs.
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