NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Top 2025 Head Coach Candidates
The first domino in the NFL coaching carousel fell this weekend when the New England Patriots landed Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel's hiring leaves the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars without a head coach.
Both of the Detroit Lions coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, are two of the hottest names on the coaching market.
Johnson has plenty of admirers across the NFL, including in Las Vegas, where the Raiders are reportedly enamored with the offensive coordinator.
Glenn has interviewed multiple places as well. The New York Jets could be a landing spot for the Lions defensive coordinator and former NFL defensive back.
Raiders Reportedly "Enamored" with Ben Johnson
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Raiders requested an interview with Ben Johnson.
"My understanding is the name to watch is Johnson. They are said to be enamored with him." Rapoport said.
Johnson has a ton of interest across the NFL because of how well the Lions have looked under him the last few years.
He opted not to take a head coaching job last offseason and Detroit's offense has only gotten better in a year's time.
Johnson might not be able to pass up on a head coaching job this offseason, but the problem he runs into as an offensive coach is the murky quarterback situations.
Las Vegas has an especially tough situation right now because it needs to upgrade from Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, but it has the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Raiders might have to go after a veteran quarterback, like Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold, in order to have a functional offense under Johnson, or any prospective head coach.
Aaron Glenn Deemed "Best Fit" with Jets
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ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reported on the sentiment inside the Jets organization regarding Aaron Glenn.
"At the same time, there are some who say Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who interviewed virtually with the Jets on Thursday, is the best fit. He's regarded as an excellent leader and a very good tactician on defense. It also has ties to the franchise; he was a star cornerback from 1994 to 2001," Cimini wrote.
Glenn's head coaching profile gained more steam after the Lions shut down the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 to win the NFC North.
Glenn was going to receive interviews anyway, but the way he led the Lions defense could have gained more attention across the NFL.
The Lions defensive coordinator has ties to three of the teams with coaching vacancies. He played in New York, Jacksonville and New Orleans. He spent the longest time with the Jets.
Glenn also spent four seasons in New Orleans as an assistant coach, so he is familiar with that franchise as well.
Bears Set to Interview Another Round of Candidates
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The Chicago Bears are interviewing anyone and everyone for their vacant head coach position.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken are among the candidates set to interview this week, per NFL.com
The Bears announced last week that they interviewed Johnson and Glenn from the Lions, former Carolina head coach Ron Rivera, former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka among others.
Chicago seems to be casting a wide net for its Matt Eberflus replacement, but right now, it does not seem to be anywhere close to cutting down the list of potential candidates.
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