NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Job Vacancies with Titans, Browns and Giants

The NFL head coaching carousel has just about made its final spin. 

Of this year’s seven vacancies, only the Tennessee Titans job remains open as of Friday, and that could very well change. 

Here is a look at the latest buzz featuring the 24 teams whose seasons won’t continue in this weekend’s divisional round. 

Mularkey Promotion from Interim to Head Coach Not a Done Deal

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The Tennessee Titans head coaching job isn’t necessarily Mike Mularkey’s for the taking. 

The interim head coach has been given “strong indications” he’ll be promoted, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, though former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone had a productive interview Thursday, per Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com:

Former Titans All-Pro center Kevin Mawae predicted that Marrone’s impression would make the Titans’ decision more challenging, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com:

"

He’s going to go in there and knock their socks off … If Mularkey is the front-runner, then I am pretty sure that Doug will do enough to at least make them reconsider and say, ‘Doug’s a legitimate candidate and a good fit for this team.'

"

The Titans surprisingly fired Ken Whisenhunt just 23 games into his tenure and went 2-7 the rest of the way under Mularkey, who was last a head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 and got fired after one season. Both wins with Mularkey this year were by a combined nine points, and one required overtime.

Tennessee has the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft after tying for the league’s worst record, which certainly isn’t where it planned to be after drafting franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota at No. 2 overall last spring.

Marrone, currently the Jaguars offensive line coach, opted out of his contract as head coach of the Buffalo Bills last offseason to interview for other vacancies, but he only got a bite from the New York Jets and “failed to close the deal” in his interview. 

While Marrone appears to have had a much more productive meeting this time around, the Titans shouldn’t forget that he left Buffalo on bad terms, particularly with his players. 

Marrone may be a competitive candidate, but he comes with a reputation of seeking the next best opportunity—behavior that a Titans team in need of strong leadership should take heavily into consideration. 

Browns “Moving Quickly” to Fill Front Front Office Vacancy

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

The Browns took their first major order to restore their postseason housecleaning, hiring Hue Jackson as head coach on Wednesday, but they are still seeking to fill out their front office. 

That vacancy could be filled soon, and former Lions general manager Martin Mayhew will be the next candidate they interview, per Josina Anderson of ESPN:

What exact role Mayhew would fulfill remains to be seen. 

The Browns hired Paul DePodesta as chief strategy officer and promoted Sashi Brown as executive vice president of football operations, but they still have a GM opening after firing Ray Farmer the day their season ended.

Mayhew interviewed with the Titans for their GM vacancy, but that job was solidified Thursday by Jon Robinson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of player personnel, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Who the Browns fill their front office vacancy with will be paramount, as many of their ongoing issues stem from personnel deficiencies. 

Giants to Promote QB Coach to Offensive Coordinator

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Eli Manning was emotional during Tom Coughlin’s farewell press conference while watching his only pro head coach depart as a new era dawns for the New York Giants. 

However, it appears Manning will generally be among familiar company heading into 2016 and beyond. 

The Giants retained offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo to fill Coughlin’s void and will reportedly promote quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan to McAdoo’s former position, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. 

A report on Wednesday by the New York Daily News indicated former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin would be the team’s next offensive coordinator, but that appeared premature, as Garafolo noted Philbin’s official designation has yet to be determined, but he speculated it may be "assistant head coach."

Agree with Coughlin’s firing or not, given the Giants’ divorce with the coach who led them to a pair of Super Bowl wins, it seemed a completely fresh start was in order. 

Coughlin was let go for not reaching the playoffs since the Giants' last championship, a span of four seasons, and by retaining a chunk of Coughlin’s staff, the Giants could be positioning themselves for similar results.