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Who are the coaching candidates for 2025?

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Who are the coaching candidates for 2025?

The coaching carousel will start spinning on Monday. For some teams (like the Jets) it already is.

Who are the candidates then? I’m glad you asked, even if you didn’t.

The goal here is to paint with a broad brush and err on the side or more, not less. Too often, journalists blur the line between identifying candidates and defending them. It is part of the access dance, the compensation enigma, the process of making sausages.

These are the names we are currently looking at, in alphabetical order.

Bill Belichick: Yes, he is a coach at UNC. He also has a $10 million buyout that will be reduced to $1 million in June. And it continues to circle the NFL media space. The easy explanation is that it’s good for recruiting; The alternative explanation is that he wants to keep a line in the waters of professional football.

Joe Brady: Buffalo’s offense changed dramatically when coach Sean McDermott fired Ken Dorsey and elevated Brady during the 2023 season. And the offense improved even more in 2024, fueling what could be Josh Allen’s first MVP season.

Pete Carroll: The former coach of the Jets, Patriots and Seahawks wants to return. He has expressed interest in the Bears; The question is whether the Bears will be interested in him. Or if someone else will be. His record speaks for itself. And your age should not be an impediment.

Liam Coen: Another year, another potential quick exit from Tampa for a first-year offensive coordinator. (Baker Mayfield should receive a commission.)

Brian Flores: The Vikings defensive coordinator would be a no-brainer, if not for complications related to his class-action lawsuit against the NFL, the Giants, the Broncos, the Dolphins and the Texans. Signing Flores means risking backlash from the league office and/or multiple trade partners. (It’s wrong, but it’s reality).

Aaron Glenn: Buzz has been building for the Lions defensive coordinator, fueled by the team’s success and his ability to hold it together through a series of injuries.

Jon Gruden: Like Flores, the former Raiders, Bucs and again Raiders coach has an active lawsuit against the league. Unlike Flores, Gruden’s case arises from his own misconduct. Additionally, a closer examination of his coaching record (especially his performance in his second stint with the Raiders) makes him a tougher sell.

Jeff Halfley: He left his job as head coach at Boston College to become Green Bay’s defensive coordinator. The unit’s improvement in 2024 could be enough to put it on the radar of NFL owners.

Ben Johnson: The Lions offensive coordinator is considered one of the game’s brightest minds. It is believed to be a no-brainer to receive an offer in the next hiring cycle.

Vance Jose: The former Broncos coach turned Broncos defensive coordinator has taken his side of the ball to impressive heights this season. So impressive that it might have earned consideration for a second chance.

Kliff Kingsbury: The former Cardinals head coach and current Commanders offensive coordinator could create some buzz. His recent comments on the subject raise a real question about whether he is ready to return to being a head coach.

Mike McCarthy: He is a free agent starting Jan. 14, or sooner if the Cowboys give him permission to interview. His candidacy could be delayed by Jerry Jones, who presumably wants to turn McCarthy’s status after five seasons into a week-long reality show, with the final answer perhaps leaking during the Eagles’ wild-card game.

Jesse Minter: He came over from Michigan with Jim Harbaugh and the defense in Los Angeles instantly improved. While it may be premature, Minter is on track to join the hunt for a head coaching opportunity.

Todd Monken: He has transformed Baltimore’s offense into a powerhouse, with Lamar Jackson possibly poised to win his second consecutive MVP award.

Kellen Moore: The Eagles’ first-year offensive coordinator, who previously held the position with the Cowboys and Chargers, could get some looks to get the most out of running back Saquon Barkley. And for maintaining the course of a passing game that at times seems to be on the verge of dysfunction.

Ron Rivera: The two-time coach of the year, who coached both the Commanders and Panthers, has been interviewed by the Jets. You might also get other interviews.

Rex Ryan: No, it’s not 2016. Rex is on this list because he’s on the Jets’ roster. It would be a big surprise if he was with someone else.

Deion Sanders: At a time when most owners are shying away from college coaches due to the lingering stench of the Urban Meyer debacle in Jacksonville, Deion has generated a lot of buzz and his arrival would attract attention and sell tickets.

Arthur Smith: The former Falcons coach has given a boost to Pittsburgh’s offense. While it might be early for him to return to the mix, he could do so in the next year or two if he can continue to get more out of the Steelers’ offense.

Steve Spagnuolo: Whether due to age or his disastrous initial stint with the Rams more than a decade ago, Spagnuolo cannot receive serious consideration despite giving the Chiefs something they have sorely needed in recent years: balance.

Mike Vrabel: The former Titans coach and, more recently, Browns consultant is considered the obvious other (along with Ben Johnson) to have the opportunity to lead a team in 2025. He has already interviewed with the Jets.

Wes Phillips: Wade’s son and Bum’s grandson could make some waves, thanks to the fact that he is the offensive coordinator for the possible, if not likely, coach of the year in Minnesota.

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