NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Doug Marrone, Jim Caldwell and More

"Black Monday" for NFL coaches has come and gone with six coaching positions vacant just two days after the season has ended.

With so many former head coaches and current assistants qualified for jobs, there are plenty of names being thrown around but only a few positions to fill—and they are not always the household ones.

Former Buffalo Bills head coach, and current Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach, Doug Marrone, is the leading candidate to replace Sean Payton if he and the New Orleans Saints part ways this week.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Saints would want a second-round pick in exchange for Payton. Let's take a look at the chances of Marrone landing in The Big Easy, as well as the fate of another current head coach and an assistant hoping to become one.

Marrone Could Get Second Chance

If Payton does indeed leave, or get fired from, New Orleans, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported Marrone is the No. 1 candidate to take the job, because he is "close" to executive vice-president and general manager Mickey Loomis from his tenure as Saints offensive coordinator from 2006-08.

However, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Monday Marrone is set to interview for the vacant head-coaching positions at the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.

It appears Marrone is a hot commodity at this point, which puzzled Ryan Van Bibber of SB Nation:

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Doug Marrone is apparently the hottest NFL coaching candidate, which tells you a lot about the state of NFL coaching.

— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) January 4, 2016"

While becoming a head coach in the NFL can be just as much about networking as it can experience and success, Marrone doesn't have much when it comes to the latter.

His head-coaching experience is limited to two seasons with the Bills in 2013 and 2014, which resulted in a record of 15-17 and no playoff appearances.

The fact the Browns and Dolphins are interested in him doesn't say much considering they have had a combined 10 head coaches since 2007.

New Orleans, on the other hand, is a more respected franchise, which gives some credence to Marrone. However, Saints fans shouldn't expect immediate success with an aging Drew Brees and an inexperienced coach if he is hired.

Caldwell's Job Appears Safe for the Moment

After a 7-9 season with the Detroit Lions in a league where "win now" could be the motto, head coach Jim Caldwell has every reason to be worried about his job.

Except Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com wrote that Caldwell's job is safe, for now.

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The Detroit Lions' ownership supports head coach Jim Caldwell and would like to retain him, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Sunday.

Team president Rod Wood reiterated after Sunday's season finale, however, that the Lions' new general manager will make the final decision on Caldwell, who went 7-9 this season.

"

Although the Lions finished the season 6-2, general manager Martin Mayhew was fired in early November, and it appears his replacement will have the say on Caldwell's future.

Wood said the hiring of a coach is in the general manager's job description, per Rothstein.

"One of the main functions of their job is selecting the coach and we're going to follow that and not going to change," Wood said.

Caldwell is obviously aware he could be out of a job soon but is moving forward as if he is staying in Detroit, per Rothstein.

"I'm working. I'm under contract until I am told differently," Caldwell said. "It's kind of the nature of the business. This is the job. If you can't handle it, you better go find something else to do."

Before coming to Detroit, Caldwell was let go after a 2-14 season with the Indianapolis Colts who were without an injured Peyton Manning. Even though Caldwell went 24-8 in the previous two seasons, it was viewed by some that he won because he was handed a roster full of talent when Tony Dungy retired.

Caldwell has a .550 winning percentage (44-36) as an NFL head coach with two playoff wins that both came during the 2009 season. He also turned around a team that was the last to win a game in 2015 and was one insane Hail Mary away from finishing the season .500.

The Lions have had four coaches the past 10 years, leading to instability for talented quarterback Matthew Stafford. It would make sense to give Caldwell at least one more year to see what he can do in an NFC North division that should be up for grabs next year.

Panthers Success Could Cost Shula a Head-Coaching Job in 2016

Mike Shula may be a sought-after coach this offseason, but that is not affecting his current position as offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers, per Rapoport.

The No. 1 seed Panthers won't play their first game until Jan. 17, and if they reach the Super Bowl Shula wouldn't interview until Feb. 8 at the earliest.

By then most coaching vacancies will be full, which means the further Carolina advances, the more likely it is he will remain a coordinator at least for another season. Yet, Shula didn't completely shut the door on an interview, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press:

Another key factor in the decision process is the fact Carolina head coach Ron Rivera is giving assistants permission to talk with other teams, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.

The 50-year-old Shula, son of legendary former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 1988 minus a four-year stint as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Of course his name would be floating around Miami as it currently has an open position, but they, and any other team, are apparently going to have wait, or find a different option.