Landing Spots for the Top NFL Coaching Candidates

Dallas Cowboys - Deion Sanders

The Dallas Cowboys let Mike McCarthy’s contract expire, and the team will have a new head coach next season. The Cowboys will be a viable option for any candidate, including Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. Ultimately, though, I don’t think Jerry Jones and Deion Sanders won't be able to help themselves, and it will be Primetime in Big D. Jones reached out to Sanders this past week, who said he was flattered and intrigued. With Shedeur and Shiloh Sanders moving on from Colorado, Deion looking for a new opportunity would hardly be surprising. It is no secret how highly Jones and Sanders think of each other. If nothing else, this would be incredibly interesting.

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Chicago Bears - Ben Johnson

NFL analysts and experts rave about the creativity and effectiveness of Ben Johnson and his Detroit Lions’ offense. The current offensive coordinator for the Lions is probably the number one candidate on many teams’ boards. Still, I think he’ll land with the Chicago Bears and have the chance to work with talented prospects Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. The Bears have a top-ten pick, extra picks from previous trades, and a lot of cap space. The franchise and the fan base are starved for success, and Johnson seems like the perfect hire for a team that needs to create success on offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Liam Coen

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost in the Wild Card round, and offensive coordinator Liam Coen is now available for hire. Coen’s success with Baker Mayfield is likely attractive to the Jacksonville Jaguars as they try to generate some stability and consistent offense with Trevor Lawrence. The Jags have invested a lot of draft capital into the offense, and guys like Brian Thomas Jr. are potential stars, but nothing else will matter if they can’t get the best out of the would-be franchise quarterback. Coen gets the nod over guys like Todd Monken or Joe Brady and jumps from Tampa to Jacksonville.

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Las Vegas Raiders - Brian Flores

It appeared the Raiders would give Antonio Pierce another season in charge, but better judgment prevailed, and the franchise is again in the market for another head coach. The Raiders have a new stadium and a roster that doesn’t stink in some places. Tom Brady is the flashy part owner, but the team doesn’t have a quarterback, which limits this from being an attractive position. Brady is reportedly heavily involved in the hiring process. Brian Flores is a guy who would impress the legendary quarterback with his no-nonsense attitude and success on the defensive side of the ball. With Vrabel off the board, the Raiders give Flores another chance as a head coach.

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New York Jets - Aaron Glenn

The New York Jets are on the hunt for a head coach again, and guessing what this franchise will do is a fool’s errand. Owner Woody Johnson and his team have interviewed a wide range of candidates, from familiar faces like Rex Ryan to head-scratchers like Mike Locksley. Ultimately, I think Johnson knows he needs a name the fan base can rally around and feel good about, and hiring a franchise legend like Aaron Glenn makes sense. Add in his impressive work with the Detroit Lions, and I think this hire would give the Jets a real chance to make good on their talented roster.

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New Orleans Saints - Kliff Kingsbury

Kliff Kingsbury’s profile continues to rise again as the Washington Commanders broke a long playoff drought, and his work as offensive coordinator, guiding Jayden Daniels, has been incredibly impressive. The Saints fired Dennis Allen after a 2-7 start and limped to a 5-12 record. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach is interviewing with the Saints this week, and his offensive background will appeal to the franchise. The Saints don’t have much to sell to candidates beyond a loyal fan base and a weak division (the team is more than $60 million over the cap for 2025-2026 and has no long-term quarterback).

Dallas Cowboys - Deion Sanders

The Dallas Cowboys let Mike McCarthy’s contract expire, and the team will have a new head coach next season. The Cowboys will be a viable option for any candidate, including Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. Ultimately, though, I don’t think Jerry Jones and Deion Sanders won't be able to help themselves, and it will be Primetime in Big D. Jones reached out to Sanders this past week, who said he was flattered and intrigued. With Shedeur and Shiloh Sanders moving on from Colorado, Deion looking for a new opportunity would hardly be surprising. It is no secret how highly Jones and Sanders think of each other. If nothing else, this would be incredibly interesting.

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