NFL Rumors: Rounding Up Buzz on Top Candidates for Coaching Vacancies

Rex Ryan is not alone atop the NFL unemployment line.

Black Monday keeps its name and importance after multiple head coaches and general managers lost their jobs.

It felt like just a matter of time before Ryan took his leave. A great defense is one thing, a gamble and a major loss on Geno Smith burns bridges. Mike Smith in Atlanta has a boot mark on his pants after a failure to get the Falcons to the playoffs.

Most interesting is the dismissal of Marc Trestman in Chicago. Billed as an offensive guru, his magic fell short and saw him resort to options other than Jay Cutler under center despite talents such as Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte at his disposal.

Now the real fun can begin. A few of the names fresh on the unemployment line will not be there for long, with a few surprise candidates set to receive promotions, too.

Reunion Time? 

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Let's begin with a surprise return and a reunion that makes too much sense.

Remember Mike Shanahan? The guy who wore out his welcome in Washington after a 24-40 record, one winning season and playoff appearance, and a split with the front office regarding Robert Griffin III mixed in for good measure?

It seems forever ago, but Shanahan did bring Cutler and Marshall into the league. This is surely the line of thought when Mark Maske of The Washington Post notes Shanahan's future:

San Francisco is an interesting option as well, but the 49ers are on the hunt far and wide.

The front office in Chicago knows all too well that it will not shake free of Cutler's contract, so the next coach had better be able to get the best out of the erratic quarterback.

NFL Network's Gil Brandt likes the idea:

Oh, so does Culter, per Maske's colleague, Cindy Boren:

"

He’s a heck of a coach. He deserves to be a coach somewhere. He is out of the game so I am sure he is looking to coach somewhere. My three years with him were very, very enjoyable. He does a great job of leading teams on and off the field and offensively he knows how to get it done.

"

The fit makes too much sense. Shanahan brought Chicago's two best players into the league and has experience with the needs of both, not to mention the ability to get them at their best.

So long as the situation promises to be more positive than his stint in Washington, it seems Shanahan will reunite with his former franchise quarterback.

Oakland's Dilemma

The Oakland Raiders have not crept above .500 since 2002, but a strong foundation is in place now that the defense has Khalil Mack and the offense has a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr.

Oakland is suddenly a popular destination, Jim Harbaugh or not.

The front office can play it safe with Tony Sparano, who did well as interim coach this season. That does not seem to be the direction things will go in, though, if notes by Tim McManus of 97.5 The Fanatic and Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo are any indication:

Two years as Chip Kelly's offensive coordinator in Philadelphia seem enough to wipe the Cleveland Browns off Pat Shurmur, who totaled a 9-23 record as the team's coach.

There is something to be said for Shurmur's part in making Mark Sanchez look like a viable quarterback again, though, so Oakland is clearly on the hunt for a name who can help develop Carr in the right manner.

Eric Mangini is quite the interesting name. Also a former New York Jets head coach, Mangini recently spent his days as the tight end coach in San Francisco and has a 33-47 coaching record, with his most recent stint at the helm producing a pair of five-win seasons in Cleveland.

Oakland seems to be covering all of its bases, for better or worse.

A new direction in a front office tends to do this, but the strategy is obvious—do whatever it takes to ensure Carr's success. Everything else, in theory, will fall into place.

Coordinators to Watch

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Coordinators are all the rage.

Look at last year, when the league raided the Cincinnati Bengals. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden left for Washington to controversial results, while his defensive counterpart, Mike Zimmer, went to Minnesota to encouraging results amid adversity.

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora identifies the three to watch this offseason:

Fans should know all about Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles by now. He is akin to Zimmer in that he helps defenses overachieve—Arizona ranks 13th against the run this year—and has experience as an interim head coach.

Dan Quinn holds the same position, except with the Seattle Seahawks. The elite Seahawks defense that ranks third against the rush and first against the pass speaks for itself. Championship experience and managing the personalities of Richard Sherman, Marshawn Lynch and others are a strong bonus.

Adam Gase is the only name on the list who hails from the offensive side, but he does so in style as the man who helps craft Peyton Manning's offense in Denver.

As NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Josina Anderson point out, all three are in the running for the most coveted vacancy of all:

It seems to the league prefers to fill its vacancies with new blood right now. With that in mind, do not be shocked when more coordinators who are worthy get their chance as the captain of a ship.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).