NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Head Coaches and Coordinators

The Buffalo Bills opened the coaching free-agent frenzy, but Rex Ryan is just the beginning of an epic shuffling of coaching staffs around the league.

What a great way to start, though. Ryan left the New York Jets and wasted little time signing on with the Bills, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak, all so that he can stay in the AFC East and continue to pester the New England Patriots (presumably, at least).

Numerous head coaching vacancies pepper the league. Best of all, some front offices rest idly by as playoff teams with attractive candidates continue to win. Other openings may become available as a consequence of losing.

Why do the players get all of the attention again?

A rebuilding team is only as good as its new head coach. Look at Minnesota, a franchise with a top-seven pass defense, encouraging rookie quarterback and a promising outlook despite a swath of adversity last season.

Before more dominoes fall, be sure to catch up on the latest when it comes to the all-important coaches. 

New York's Wait For Dan Quinn

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The Jets have another defensive-minded coach they would like to bring on board to captain the ship now that Ryan did a cannonball off the plank.

Those darn defending champions will not stop winning, though.

Dan Quinn, who currently serves as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, is one of the market's hottest commodities. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller put it best before Ryan landed in Buffalo:

The Jets seem to lead the way in this shadow race, as ESPN's Adam Schefter writes, "The New York Jets were prepared to fly to Seattle immediately after Saturday night's game if the Seattle Seahawks had lost to try to hire Dan Quinn as their head coach, according to sources."

Luckily for the Jets, the decision to wait has yet to burn them, as the only coach off the market is the guy they pushed out the door. 

Quinn is an interesting fit, though. He's a local guy who grew up in the area and is familiar with the organization after a few years as an assistant with the team, but the Jets defense does not exactly need help—it ranked in the top half of the league against the pass last year and fifth against the rush.

The thought seems to be that even without a Richard Sherman or Earl Thomas, Quinn can make the defense even better in time and, when paired with the right coordinator, the offense can come along as well.

That sounds like a lot of moving pieces. Clearly, the Jets front office has a master plan in place.

Denver's Surprise Vacancy

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Another season ends in disappointment for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, although this time John Elway is in no lackadaisical mood about the matter.

Speculation hit a fever pitch before Denver's eventual 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round that coach John Fox would be shown the door if the team lost. Schefter turned the rumblings into jaw-dropping news Monday:

Now talk turns to just who will take over the gig, especially with Manning's status still up in the air while the entire staff may move on to other endeavors.

According to Pro Football Talk, the early chatter is that offensive coordinator Adam Gase will have a shot:

What about Manning? It is impossible to know right now where he stands in regard to Fox's departure and the retention of Gase or someone else as coach.

In fact, that sounds to be the one thing that may influence Manning in the other direction, as he hinted on KOA-AM after the game (via Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo):

"

That's kind of what I've said all along. But I can't answer every what-if circumstance: What if you're not as healthy? What if certain coaches leave? I can't answer every what-if situation. I think I'll have to take some time to see how I feel, see how I feel physically.

"

Let's be real—Manning is not going anywhere unless he downright dislikes whoever takes the gig. A visible reduction in arm strength over the course of the last month of the season now has an explanation, too, as Schefter reports that the veteran played through a torn quad.

Nothing seems imminent when it comes to the surprise vacancy as the Broncos have to go through the full hiring process, but especially if the hire somehow relates to Manning's future with the team, too.

Raiders on the Hunt

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Unlike New York's patience with Seattle's postseason campaign, the Oakland Raiders no longer need to wait on their AFC West rivals to drop out.

Denver is a goner, which means defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is fair game.

Schefter notes that Oakland will waste little time with a second interview of the former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach:

Constant turnover is the name of the game in Oakland. The team has had eight coaches since the start of the 2003 season, which has ruined most campaigns.

In other words, Del Rio had better be in it for the long haul if he signs on the dotted line. He's a great defensive mind who helped the Broncos rank ninth against the pass and second against the rush—as well as lead the league in forced three-and-outs—despite opposing offenses doing all they can to keep pace with Manning.

Oakland is surely an attractive destination for Del Rio. There, he gets two young, elite defenders in Khalil Mack and Sio Moore, as well as a top-five selection in the 2015 draft. The team might just have a budding franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, too.

It is hard to imagine the Raiders are alone in their pursuit of Del Rio, but the shoe does seem to fit rather well.

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