NFL Coaching Carousel: Where Will Belichick, Harbaugh & Co. Land?

Potential New Openings? Other Names?

It's hard to envision significant coach hirings occurring before the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys decide what to do with Nick Sirianni and Mike McCarthy after their embarrassing playoff exits. If fired, either job would immediately become the top available job, completely reshifting the market. Unfortunately for the Falcons and Chargers, there is a strong chance that they would lose Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh to either club. Additionally, I didn't opt to include Mike Vrabel because I think he would make a ton of sense in Philadelphia should they decide to part ways with Sirianni. His teams are always prepared and motivated, two things that were non-existent down the stretch in Philadelphia, and his defensive intensity is much needed if you saw the Eagles' inability to tackle against the Buccaneers. Bobby Slowik is one of the hottest names on the circuit, but similar to Ben Johnson, it wouldn't surprise me to see him wanting to stay another season in Houston to see if he can make a run with CJ Stroud next season. Plus, as Detroit did, I expect the Texans' organization to throw a ton of money his way to attempt to keep him around as long as possible for Stroud's development.

Carolina Panthers: Frank Smith

It's tough to gauge where the Carolina Panthers' coaching search is headed. Still, I don't think this job is necessarily that attractive to the most notable offensive-minded head coaching candidates like Bobby Slowik or Ben Johnson. The Panthers have had a ton of personnel turnover, no GM in place, and not much to get excited about on the offense side of the ball. It wouldn't surprise me if they promoted their current defensive coordinator, Ejiro Evero, to the main gig, as he's respected the locker room and around the league. However, they need an offensive mind to salvage Bryce Young. There is always a head coach hired who comes out of nowhere to land a job, and I believe that could be current Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith. For an aggressive owner like David Tepper, seeing the Dolphins' offense operate on all cylinders is something he'd like to have in Carolina, and he's already interviewed Smith to start the process.

Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce

There is no way Antonio Pierce won't become the full-time Raiders coach, right? The entire locker room vouches for him, with Maxx Crosby threatening to request a trade if Pierce isn't hired, and we saw in the second half of the season how much this team rallied around Pierce and how much he embodied being the head of the Raiders. Hopefully, Mark Davis doesn't try to get too cute and just makes the choice right in front of him.

Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh

Every day that passes, I’m more convinced that Jim Harbaugh is leaving Ann Arbor for the NFL. Nothing is set in stone, but the Los Angeles Chargers are emerging as his preferred landing spot, and I think we’re just waiting for him to sign the dotted line with the Chargers while he tries to squeeze an absurd extension out of the University of Michigan. I don’t expect that, so by pairing up with Justin Herbert, he would have the best chance to win right away in the NFL, which would be the only reason he leaves his outstanding job in college anyway.

Seattle Seahawks: Mike MacDonald

This time last week, I thought it was a slam dunk that Dan Quinn would be the Seahawks' next head coach, but after the Cowboys playoff no-show, he gets bumped down the totem pole. Knowing his history with the organization, it's still possible Quinn will land in Seattle, but I expect Mike MacDonald to pick up steam in Seattle. As the Ravens' defensive coordinator, he's been nothing short of unbelievable in leading the Ravens' defense. It's already been reported that the Seahawks want to talk to MacDonald, so I expect them to find comfort in hiring the younger and better version of Dan Quinn.

Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan

There are a lot of reports swirling about the Titans looking into many defensive coaches to replace Mike Vrabel, but what was the point of parting ways with him in the first place if you hire another defensive mind? I don’t buy it. Current Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is a name that makes a ton of sense for the Titans, given his track record with quarterbacks in Cincinnati, a position the Titans desperately need to develop. What he did with Jake Browning this season was impressive, so I think the Titans could imagine him doing great things with Will Levis and Malik Willis.

Washington Commanders: Ben Johnson

The Washington Commanders want to make a splash, so I bet they do. New owner Josh Harris is putting pressure on the organization to get everything turned around quickly, so I envision he gives Ben Johnson whatever he wants to convince him to come to Washington. Johnson turned down head coaching opportunities last offseason to return to Detroit for one more season to tune up his play-calling abilities and make a run at a Super Bowl. The consensus is that he’ll be ready to move on once the Lions’ playoff run ends. The Commanders holding the No. 2 overall pick will be extremely attractive to Johnson, who can easily convince himself that he can build a winner in Washington with the quarterback of his choice.

Potential New Openings? Other Names?

It's hard to envision significant coach hirings occurring before the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys decide what to do with Nick Sirianni and Mike McCarthy after their embarrassing playoff exits. If fired, either job would immediately become the top available job, completely reshifting the market. Unfortunately for the Falcons and Chargers, there is a strong chance that they would lose Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh to either club. Additionally, I didn't opt to include Mike Vrabel because I think he would make a ton of sense in Philadelphia should they decide to part ways with Sirianni. His teams are always prepared and motivated, two things that were non-existent down the stretch in Philadelphia, and his defensive intensity is much needed if you saw the Eagles' inability to tackle against the Buccaneers. Bobby Slowik is one of the hottest names on the circuit, but similar to Ben Johnson, it wouldn't surprise me to see him wanting to stay another season in Houston to see if he can make a run with CJ Stroud next season. Plus, as Detroit did, I expect the Texans' organization to throw a ton of money his way to attempt to keep him around as long as possible for Stroud's development.