Ideal NFL Team-Coach Pairings Amid Latest Coaching Cycle Rumors
The 2024 NFL season is drawing to a close, which means the next coaching carousel will soon begin spinning in earnest.
Three teams—the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears—have already fired head coaches, and more will almost certainly follow. Each franchise will find a new HC sometime in the early 2025 offseason.
The big question is, of course, whether it can find the right one.
Every year, at least one franchise seems to make the wrong hire. Sometimes, it happens because of a bad personnel or scheme fit. Sometimes, an up-and-coming coordinator or college coach simply isn't prepared to lead an NFL team.
Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton recently examined the top coordinators likely to garner interest in the 2025 coaching cycle.
Even hires that look great on paper don't always pan out as expected, but teams should have a clear idea of what they're seeking in a head coach.
With this in mind, let's examine some ideal fits for teams that have or are likely to have head coach openings in the offseason based on coaching background, roster makeup, franchise-specific goals and any relevant recent rumors.
Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson
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Chicago's last two head coaches—Matt Eberflus and Matt Nagy—had one thing in common: They failed to develop young first-round quarterbacks.
Getting the most out of 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has to be the Bears' top priority, which is why a coach with an offensive background makes the most sense.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is undoubtedly high on Chicago's radar. He has experience within the division and has continually gotten strong results from the Lions offense.
The 38-year-old has also helped resurrect the career of quarterback Jared Goff, who was widely viewed as a throw-in of the 2021 Matthew Stafford trade. With 33 touchdown passes and a 112.2 quarterback rating, Goff is now a viable MVP candidate.
The good news for the Bears is that if Johnson is their top choice, they may be able to get "their guy."
"I think Ben Johnson has interest in the Chicago Bears job," ESPN's Adam Schefter told The Pat McAfee Show. "...He's definitely in play and we'll see what happens from there."
The one potential issue with Johnson is that he lacks head coaching experience. Given the operation and preparation issues that plagued Chicago under Eberflus—and now under interim coach Thomas Brown—a seasoned HC might make the most sense for this team.
For the franchise, though, developing Williams into a long-term answer at quarterback is the most critical goal. Johnson should be up for the challenge.
Dallas Cowboys: Brian Flores
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It's looking more and more likely that the Dallas Cowboys will try to retain head coach Mike McCarthy. It's been a disappointing season in Dallas—largely due to injuries—but the 61-year-old has kept his team battling.
The Cowboys have won four of their last five, and the head coach continues to draw praise from franchise owner Jerry Jones.
"I think with the circumstances that we've been dealing with, how good a job that the coaching staff is doing," Jones told 105.3 The Fan (h/t ESPN's Todd Archer). "It's led by Mike McCarthy."
We have to include Dallas, though, because McCarthy isn't under contract beyond this season. There's no guarantee that he or the Cowboys will want to continue their partnership.
If McCarthy is out, expect Dallas to prefer an experienced head coach who can help the team win immediately. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who previously served as the Miami Dolphins head coach, could be the perfect fit.
The 43-year-old has been a head coach before and he fared well, winning 19 games in his last two seasons in Miami. He's also helped forge a playoff-caliber defense in Minnesota, a potential selling point for the Cowboys.
Dallas' defense, though better over the last couple of weeks, has regressed following the departure of Dan Quinn and the hiring of Mike Zimmer. The Cowboys rank 27th in total defense and 30th in points allowed.
Pairing a defensive coach with a competent offensive play-caller would be a sound strategy for Dallas. Though the Cowboys need to find a high-end running back and stabilize their offensive line, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson form the core of a potent offense.
With a playoff-caliber defense, Dallas could be a contender once again.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Pete Carroll
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The Jacksonville Jaguars don't have an opening yet, but Doug Pederson has been on the hot seat for most of the season.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported in mid-November that Jacksonville was already considering a regime change then.
If Pederson is out, the Jags may prefer an experienced coach who can get more out of a talented but underperforming roster. Jacksonville has its quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and won nine games in both 2022 and 2023 before this year's collapse.
Bill Belichick might have been a perfect fit, but he bolted for the college ranks when he accepted the University of North Carolina job early this month. However, another seasoned championship winner might be available.
According to Schefter, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll "would like to return to the sideline next season."
Carroll, who has won both a national championship and a Super Bowl, is a quality coach who knows exactly how to assemble a successful staff and how to motivate a locker room. He also has a track record of turning around teams quickly. USC won a national championship in his fourth season, and Seattle won Super Bowl XLVIII in his fourth year.
The Seahawks also made the playoffs 10 times in 14 seasons under Carroll.
Jacksonville may have reservations about his age—he'll turn 74 next September—but it would likely accept a limited window if it means becoming a title contender.
For a franchise hungry for success with its $275 million quarterback, Carroll is an ideal coaching target.
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Las Vegas Raiders: Mike Vrabel
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Johnson is probably the hottest name on the coaching market because of Detroit's success this season, but former Tennessee Titans head coach and current Cleveland Browns consultant Mike Vrabel might be its most coveted.
"I think without a doubt headed into this coaching cycle here—Mike Vrabel is hands down going to be the most sought-out coach because we're seeing the trend once again being about a leader, a CEO that can quickly establish a culture and an identity for teams that are in need," The Athletic's Dianna Russini told the Scoop City podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Paul Kasabian).
If the Las Vegas Raiders move on from Antonio Pierce this offseason, they'd do well to hire the 49-year-old.
There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, Tom Brady is now a minority owner and is expected to have input on team-building decisions. He and Vrabel were teammates and likely have similar ideas on how to build a winning franchise.
Secondly, as Russini noted, Vrabel is an experienced coach who knows how to motivate a locker room, build a winning culture and get on-field results—Tennessee had four winning seasons and three playoff appearances in six years under him.
Brady/Patriots ties aside, Vrabel would provide the perfect change for Las Vegas, given what the franchise has experienced recently.
Josh McDaniels never seemed to have the Raiders playing like a motivated and cohesive team. Pierce, as an interim-turned-full-time HC, has fostered a strong culture. However, the in-week preparation and in-game management have been lacking under his guidance.
Las Vegas will be rebuilding, likely with a new quarterback, and Vrabel can provide everything the franchise needs to get on a successful track quickly.
New Orleans Saints: Aaron Glenn
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The Saints are going to be in an odd position next season. They probably lack the overall talent needed to continue chasing the playoffs with a bloated payroll—they're projected to be $78 million over the salary cap—but they may not have the financial flexibility to engage in a fresh start.
According to Schefter, New Orleans may be stuck with quarterback Derek Carr for another season.
"Right now, because this team is so strapped against the cap, Derek Carr is in line to be back next year," he told Monday Night Countdown (h/t Bleacher Report's Zach Bachar). "They don't have a lot of flexibility, he makes the most sense. And it certainly looks like he can be back next season."
New Orleans needs a coach willing to work with ownership and general manager Mickey Loomis to navigate the tearing-down portion of a rebuild while getting the most out of a patchwork roster.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the perfect candidate. His work with Detroit's injury-depleted defense this season has been impressive. Although the team has lost multiple starters, he keeps rolling out a squad capable of winning games.
The 52-year-old also has ties to New Orleans, having served as its defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020. His connection to the Saints, the front office and franchise owner Gayle Benson could be vital, as all parties will likely head into 2025 knowing the next couple of seasons could be unpleasant.
New York Giants: Joe Brady
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The New York Giants may keep head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen for another season.
"I don't think there's a strong appetite for change," one source told CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones in November.
However, there's no guarantee New York will hang on to both members of its front office. Daboll and Schoen aren't viewed as a package, according to Russini.
"I think the bottom line here, looking at the situation in New York, do not think or believe that they are together," she told the Scoop City podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Scott Polacek). "They are not a duo. It is not looked at that way."
If Schoen stays and Daboll is out, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady could be an ideal coaching replacement.
For one, the 35-year-old will be coming over from a successful franchise, as Daboll and Schoen did before him. While Brady's time with the Bills didn't overlap with Schoen's, they may have picked up similar philosophies.
More importantly, the Giants will conduct a new quarterback search in the offseason, which could begin with the No. 1 overall pick. If New York uses that selection on a prospect such as Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, it will want a coach to help develop a signal-caller.
Brady helped develop Joe Burrow as LSU's passing game coordinator in 2019. In Buffalo, he's created a championship-caliber offense while helping transform Josh Allen into an MVP front-runner.
Hiring Brady would mean replacing one former Bills coordinator with another, but it would be logical if New York decides to fire Daboll.
New York Jets: Liam Coen
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The Jets, who fired general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh, have already begun conducting GM interviews. New York's next general manager could alter the franchise's approach to its coaching vacancy.
As things stand, though, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen would be an ideal fit for the franchise's needs. The Jets have a talented roster that has underwhelmed, and they'll likely be eying a new quarterback in 2025.
The Aaron Rodgers experiment has gone as anyone—except for, perhaps, a subset of Green Bay Packers fans—expected. The Jets appear ready to move in a different direction.
"This organization does prefer a change at quarterback, and this hammers that home," SNY's Connor Hughes reported in November.
Coen has helped quarterback Baker Mayfield have a career year despite losing receiver Chris Godwin for the season and fellow wideout Mike Evans for multiple weeks. He's also helped create a dynamic and explosive rushing attack a year after Tampa ranked last in almost every statistical rushing category.
While the 39-year-old has no head coaching experience, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler describes him as "a name that's gaining traction in league circles."
The Jets have consistently struggled to get the most out of offensive standouts such as Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and they've flat-out failed at the quarterback position.
Hiring Coen would likely require adding an experienced defensive coordinator, but he would help address the issues that have plagued the franchise the most in recent years.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac
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