Ranking Potential NFL Head Coach Openings in 2025 After Matt Eberflus Firing
November 29, 2024Ranking Potential NFL Head Coach Openings in 2025 After Matt Eberflus Firing
Entering Week 13, two NFL head coaches had been relieved of their duties, and a third was fired on Friday. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears fired Matt Eberflus a day after some horrendous late-game clock management ended the team's comeback bid against the Detroit Lions.
The Bears had never previously fired a head coach in-season, but the timing of the move isn't wholly unsurprising. Several quality coaching candidates are expected to be available in 2025, and Chicago can now get a head start on its coaching search.
Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel are already expected to draw interest on the coaching market. Given Detroit's rapid rise over the past couple of seasons, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are expected to be hot candidates as well.
Getting an early start on the coaching search, however, doesn't guarantee that a franchise will land its dream target. Some situations are better than others and will have an edge in attracting the biggest names.
Here, we'll rank the seven likeliest 2025 job openings, based on factors like recent results, roster construction, front-office makeup and salary cap situations.
7. New York Jets
The New York Jets have already fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. That creates a situation in which the incoming head coach may be able to align himself with the incoming GM—a potentially attractive situation for candidates like Johnson.
"He isn't necessarily waiting for the 'perfect' opportunity," NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, wrote. "Johnson just wants to know there's alignment and a chance for long-term success."
However, the Jets don't have a whole lot else to offer, and it's not as if a vacant front office is a massive selling point. The franchise has struggled to find stability at the top of its power structure and at quarterback for years. New York will most likely be searching for a new quarterback in 2025 as well.
Aaron Rodgers hasn't been good this season, and while he's under contract for 2025, the Jets are reportedly ready to move on.
"This organization does prefer a change at quarterback,"
SNY's Connor Hughes reported on November 19.
New York hasn't been to the playoffs since 2010. It currently has a three-win roster and no long-term plan at the game's most important position. Franchise owner Woody Johnson has a history of making questionable hiring and firing decisions, and this team has no track record of drafting and developing young signal-callers.
The Jets are also projected to have $31.2 million in 2025 cap space, which isn't terrible but still ranks in the bottom half of the league. That number will shrink significantly if New York pays extension-eligible players like Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner in the offseason.
Older vets like Rodgers and Davante Adams could be on the way out, and reloading the roster in a single offseason may not be possible. Add in the fact that the Jets are not synonymous with job security—Rex Ryan was the last head coach to survive for more than four seasons—and this starts to feel like a job that many candidates will actively avoid.
6. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have one thing going for them that the Jets lack. While New Orleans did fire head coach Dennis Allen earlier this year, it stood by Sean Payton for 16 seasons. It has also stuck by general manager Mickey Loomis since 2002, which suggests that the Saints can offer job security—to a coach who can deliver the desired results, at least.
New Orleans may be particularly attractive to Glenn, who spent time as a player and a coach with the organization before joining Dan Campbell in Detroit.
In general, though, the Saints' situation is far from ideal. The team has a few foundational players—like wideout Chris Olave, running back Alvin Kamara and center Erik McCoy—but a middling overall roster. It also lacks a long-term plan at quarterback, as Derek Carr has been decidedly average as the Saints' signal-caller.
Carr will turn 34 in March and looms as a potential cap casualty. Releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $30 million in 2025 cap space.
And New Orleans' cap situation could be the biggest obstacle between the franchise and a top-tier coaching hire. Loomis has kicked contracts down the road for years while trying to maintain a competitive roster. The bill is now due.
The Saints are projected to be $77.3 million over the salary cap in 2025. They'll likely have to start rebuilding with rookie contracts and bargain free agents, which would make a quick turnaround very difficult.
The Saints may move in a new direction at quarterback next offseason, but with four wins already on their 2024 resume, they may not have a shot at one of the draft's top QB prospects. That could lead to the team sticking with Carr for another season, turning to another veteran bridge or giving an opportunity to Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler.
The NFC South has recently been one of the league's easier divisions, but no incoming coach can expect to have instant success.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders haven't fired head coach Antonio Pierce yet, but it sure feels like he could be out in the offseason. He got his opportunity as Las Vegas' interim coach when Josh McDaniels was fired last season. While the Raiders had some success late in 2023 under Pierce, things have not gone well this year.
Pierce fired members of his offensive staff—including coordinator Luke Getsy—and players reportedly complained about the organization's direction in a subsequent meeting.
"Players had issues with the schedule not being efficient. There was a lack of organization and 'wasting time,' and there was a 'lack of discipline and accountability,'" CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones wrote on November 9.
The Raiders haven't experienced sustained success since losing the Super Bowl in 2002, and they play in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Las Vegas should be more attractive than either the Jets or the Saints.
For one, the Raiders have an experienced general manager in Tom Telesco who has already uncovered good young players like Brock Bowers and D.J. Glaze. His job is reportedly safe.
"Everything I'm hearing, they really like what Telesco is doing in that building," The Athletic's Dianna Russini said on the Scoop City podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Taylyn Hadley).
While the Raiders don't have a franchise quarterback, they're in a good position to land a top-five draft selection and a shot at the B/R Scouting Dept.'s top-two quarterback prospects like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Miami's Cam Ward. They have an additional third-round pick from the Davante Adams trade, which could help them trade up to get their preferred draft target.
The Raiders are also in a good spot financially, with $106.5 million in projected 2025 cap space. Las Vegas can make substantial roster changes in short order, though any incoming head coach would have to accept the challenge of chasing the Chiefs, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in the NFC West.
4. New York Giants
To be clear, there's a very real chance that the New York Giants won't make substantial front-office changes in 2025. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll could both be safe.
"Multiple sources reiterated this week to CBS Sports that Giants owner John Mara intends to keep Schoen beyond this year," CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones wrote on Sunday. "...Daboll is also presumed to return for 2025 as [franchise owner John] Mara does not wish for more upheaval."
Of course, Daboll's job security could ultimately hinge on New York's ability to attract a clear coaching upgrade. There are a few reasons to believe that it might.
The Giants need a franchise quarterback. They gave Daniel Jones multiple opportunities but finally pulled the plug, releasing him last weekend. However, they're also in a prime position to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft and find a new signal-caller to develop.
New York also has some terrific young foundational pieces, including left tackle Andrew Thomas, wide receiver Malik Nabers, edge-rusher Brian Burns and edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
With $63.5 million in projected 2025 cap space, the Giants could improve their roster further in the coming months.
New York was a playoff team just two seasons ago, despite getting average quarterback play from Jones. If the Giants can hit on a quarterback in the draft, they could be back to contention as early as next season.
On the negative side, New York is a major media market that carries a high level of pressure. It could also provide a sticky situation if Daboll is let go but Schoen is retained. While Schoen hasn't mishandled every situation since joining the franchise in 2022, he was responsible for extending Jones and allowing Saquon Barkley to depart to the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
This job, if it becomes available, will likely be more attractive if the Giants do opt for a clean slate in the front office.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't fired head coach Doug Pederson yet. However, there has been plenty of speculation about his job security throughout this year's two-win campaign.
"The Jaguars, mired in a miserable rut after losing four of their last five games, might be looking at another regime change for 2025, and sources say a dramatic move could come as soon as this week, pending the results of Sunday's game against the Lions," Rapoport wrote on November 16.
Jacksonville lost that game to Detroit 52-6.
Since some early successful years as an expansion team, the Jaguars haven't held a reputation as a successful franchise. However, there's a lot to like about this job, should it become open.
For one, the Jaguars have their quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. While the 2021 first overall pick hasn't quite played up to his draft status, he's been Pro Bowl-caliber when at his best. He's also just 25 years old and under contract through 2030.
Jacksonville also has a lot more talent than its record might indicate. This is a team that won a playoff game in 2022 and won another nine games in 2023. It has underperformed this season, but a good coach will believe he can correct the team's issues quickly.
Belichick "has his eye" on the Jaguars, Russini said on the Scoop City podcast (h/e Bleacher Report's Doric Sam).
Jacksonville has $58 million in projected 2025 cap space and could easily wind up with a top-three draft selection. The Jags don't need a quarterback, so they could use that pick on another franchise-caliber prospect, possibly Colorado receiver/corner Travis Hunter or LSU lineman Will Campbell.
Lastly, the Jaguars reside in the winnable AFC South. Success could come rapidly for a new head coach, though the status of general manager Trent Baalke could impact the job's appeal.
As is the case for the Giants, the Jags may benefit from a totally fresh start at the top.
2. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys won't be firing their general manager because franchise owner Jerry Jones is the general manager. That could be a sticking point for some coaching candidates, and it prevents Dallas from topping our list.
However, there's plenty to like about the Cowboys, who appear poised to replace head coach Mike McCarthy in the offseason. McCarthy is in the final year of his contract and may simply not receive a new offer—though Jones hasn't dismissed that possibility.
"I don't think that's crazy at all," Jones told 105.3 The Fan (h/t ESPN's Todd Archer).
Have the Cowboys underachieved this season? Absolutely, and that falls on McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Jones deserves some blame for his roster management too, though again, he's not firing himself.
Dallas needs to reload its offensive line and improve its backfield. However, it has top-tier players at several critical positions, including quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, pass-rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs.
The Cowboys have just $24 million in projected 2025 cap space, but they have far fewer holes than most of the other teams on this list. This is, after all, a team that won 12 games in each of the past three seasons.
Injuries to players like Dak Prescott, cornerback DaRon Bland and pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence have impacted Dallas' 5-7 campaign this year. It's not at all hard to envision Dallas jumping right back into the NFC East race next season with a healthier roster.
And while not every coach may be eager to take direction directly from the owner, Dallas' next coach is likely to enjoy some patience from Jones. He hasn't fired a coach in-season since he relieved Wade Phillips in 2010.
"I changed coaches in the season with Wade and have always regretted it," Jones said, per ProFootballTalk's Charean Williams.
If McCarthy departs, Dallas next coach will inherit a strong foundation and should have multiple years to put their stamp on the franchise.
1. Chicago Bears
Eberflus' firing should instantly make Chicago the league's most attractive coaching destination. There are multiple reasons for this, starting with a young, talent-laden roster and 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams.
While Williams hasn't been flawless this season, he's shown the poise, processing skills and leadership of a future NFL star. He can be Chicago's long-coveted franchise quarterback if he can just get some competent coaching.
The Bears also boast offensive skill players like D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, D'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze—plus, the league's ninth-ranked scoring defense. Even the team's players seem to recognize that poor coaching has been the team's biggest problem this season.
"I feel like we did enough as players to win the game," veteran wideout Keenan Allen told reporters after Thursday's 23-20 loss to Detroit.
The Bears could use improvements along the offensive line, but they have few other obvious needs. With $84.1 million in projected 2025 cap space, Chicago should have little trouble forging a much stronger roster next season.
This is a roster that any incoming head coach would be happy to inherit, and the Bears have traditionally shown a fair amount of patience with their hires—as previously mentioned, Eberflus is the first head coach in franchise history to be fired in-season.
There are really only two drawbacks to Chicago's opening. For one, the Bears may or may not replace general manager Ryan Poles at the end of the year. He was hired in 2022, and if he sticks, it could potentially turn off any candidate desiring front office alignment.
Secondly, the Bears are at the bottom of a division that already has three nine-win teams this season. Turning Chicago into a perennial NFC North contender will be a massive challenge.
Of course, over the last three weeks alone, we've seen the Bears fall just short against all three divisional foes. There should be no shortage of coaching candidates who believe they can take this quarterback and this roster from worst to first.
Given the pieces already in place, and the capital available with which to continue building, it's hard to imagine a more attractive situation for a new head coach than Chicago's.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.