NFL Black Monday 2025: Coaches on Hot Seat Rumors and Firing News

As the 2024 NFL season comes to an end on Sunday, one of the most dreaded days of the year is just hours away.

Black Monday has become an annual reset where multiple teams make coaching changes and reshape the future outlook of the NFL.

The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears already fired their respective head coaches during the 2024 campaign. The New England Patriots also didn't wait until Monday to make a change. They will surely be joined by multiple teams soon, as they won't want to waste too much time getting started on their head coaching search.

Here's a look at the rumors regarding head coaches as Black Monday quickly approaches.

Patriots Fire Jerod Mayo After One Season, Mike Vrabel Reportedly Eyed

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 05: Head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots looks on after defeating the Buffalo Bills 23-16 at Gillette Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

It took just one year for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to move on from head coach Jerod Mayo.

Kraft announced in a statement on Sunday that Mayo has been dismissed after leading the team to a 4-13 record:

The announcement came just a few hours after Mayo led the Patriots to a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's regular-season finale, which dropped New England from the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft to the No. 4 pick.

However, it sounds like the Patriots already have their replacement in mind, as The Athletic's Chad Graff and RJ Kraft reported that New England is expected to pursue former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who spent the majority of his playing career with the franchise.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe added that Vrabel "has been interested in the Patriots' potential vacancy in recent weeks," so things could end up moving quickly between the two sides.

Bears to Interview Interim HC Brown, Reportedly Eyeing Vrabel and Johnson

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Thomas Brown of the Chicago Bears looks on during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears are reportedly eyeing some of the biggest names on the head coaching market, but it sounds like they will give their in-house candidate a chance to earn the job.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles announced during a radio interview on Sunday that interim head coach Thomas Brown will be interviewed for the permanent position at the end of the season.

"He will get an interview and I'm excited to hear his thoughts," Poles said (h/t ESPN's Courtney Cronin). "Because he's been here. He's been here, he's seen and reflected just like we have on the past and how we got to this and why were the results, the results. So, I'm excited to hear from his side on how we got here and how he would fix it."

After starting the year as passing game coordinator, Brown was promoted to offensive coordinator after the firing of Shane Waldron and then to head coach following the firing of Matt Eberflus. He went 1-4 at the helm, with the Bears closing out the season with a dramatic 24-22 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, which should bode well for his chances to earn the permanent role.

However, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on Sunday that the Bears are also interested in top candidates like Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel:

The Bears will be one of the most attractive destinations for prospective head coaches thanks to their talented core led by 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Chicago will surely be thorough in its search for a new candidate to lead the team into the next era.

Tomlin, O'Connell Reportedly Eyed for Trades

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Trading for coaches is an unconventional method, but it sounds like teams around the NFL are planning to explore that route this offseason.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday (5:37 mark) that teams could call the Pittsburgh Steelers to inquire about a trade for veteran head coach Mike Tomlin:

If that weren't surprising enough, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer (3:17 mark) reported that "multiple teams" are interested in trading for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell:

Tomlin is one of the greatest coaches of the modern era, and O'Connell is one of the frontrunners for 2024 NFL Coach of the Year. Trading for either one of them would likely cost multiple first-round picks, but they would be instant difference-makers for any franchise that acquires them.

While neither team is in a rush to trade their head coach, the situation between the Vikings and O'Connell bears watching because his contract expires after the 2025 campaign, and there have been no negotiations for a potential extension so far.

Mike McCarthy, Matt Nagy Eyed by Saints

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy's contract came to an end after a 7-10 finish to the 2024 season, but there's a chance he won't have to wait too long to find a new job.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote on Saturday that the New Orleans Saints could "look at" McCarthy if he isn't retained by the Cowboys this offseason. The Saints are seeking a replacement for Dennis Allen, who was fired after a 2-7 start to the year.

For what it's worth, McCarthy hasn't expressed any interest in leaving Dallas. He reaffirmed his desire to remain the team's head coach after Sunday's loss to the Washington Commanders, telling reporters he "absolutely" wants to be back.

"I have a lot of confidence in myself as a head coach. ... I'm definitely in position with Jerry [Jones] to move the program forward. There's no question about that in mind," McCarthy said.

If New Orleans can't land McCarthy, it reportedly has another option in mind. Russini added to "expect the Saints to show interest" in Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as a head coaching candidate. Nagy spent four seasons as Chicago Bears head coach and led the team to two playoff appearances.

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Expected to Draw Interest from NFL After CFP

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 1: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns lifts the trophy to celebrate after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is preparing to lead the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinals, but he could be on the verge of a jump to the NFL.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that there's an expectation that Sarkisian will be pursued by NFL teams in search of a new head coach.

"I would expect some teams to call and inquire about Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who has drawn some interest from the NFL level," Schefter said (5:25 mark).

Sarkisian has led Texas to a 13-2 record in its first season in the SEC. The team defeated Clemson and Arizona State to reach the CFP semifinals, where it will face Ohio State.

Sarkisian has never been an NFL head coach, but he served as quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004 and offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons in 2017-18. If he could lead Texas to a national championship, it would boost his resume even further as a coveted candidate for an NFL head coaching position.

Colts, Dolphins Not Making Any Changes

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 20: Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel communicates on his headset during the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts on October 20, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins fell short of the playoffs after finishing the year with an 8-9 record, but team owner Stephen Ross announced that head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will be back for the 2025 season:

Similarly, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay gave a vote of confidence to head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard after finishing the season 8-9:

Both the Dolphins and Colts have promising pieces, so they simply need to fill some roster holes to be competitive next year. However, it can be expected that McDaniel and Steichen will be on the hot seat once again if neither team is able to turn things around in 2025.