NFL Fans Confused as Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel Miss out on 2024 NFL HC Jobs

The most star-studded head coaching free agency period in NFL history resulted in exactly one of those stars getting hired.

The Washington Commanders' hiring of Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn concluded the 2024 NFL coaching carousel, with Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel and Pete Carroll all finding themselves on the outside looking in—much to the shock of fans on social media.

Belichick, Carroll and Vrabel were all let go from their longtime gigs, and each has expressed an interest in continuing to coach. Belichick interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons' job that eventually went to Raheem Morris, while Vrabel also interviewed with the Falcons and Carolina Panthers, who hired Dave Canales.

Carroll, who was shifted into an advisory role in Seattle, did not interview for any openings.

The relative disinterest in such high-profile names is surprising on the surface, but the reasoning becomes obvious with a little critical thinking. Belichick, Carroll and Vrabel all have the resumes to command at least a significant say in personnel matters.

Jim Harbaugh will work in concert with new Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz in the decision-making in Los Angeles, but teams largely stuck to hiring coaches who will stay out of the kitchen this cycle—and for good reason.

Belichick and Carroll are in their 70s; you'll be hard-pressed to find NFL owners willing to hand over the keys to the kingdom to guys who are arguably past their coaching primes.

Vrabel will almost certainly go through the standard car wash of spending a year as a TV analyst before being the most sought-after name on the market next offseason. He's 48 and in a position to wait for the right offer, so a year off to recharge might do him some good.