The NFL's relentless pursuit of excellence has once again led to a wave of head coach firings as teams struggle to meet high expectations. As the 2024 season draws to a close, the list of coaches on the hot seat continues to grow, with several big names now searching for new jobs. In a league where the pressure to win is ever-increasing, even a single disappointing season can be enough to cost a coach their position. From teams with playoff aspirations falling short to others facing organizational turmoil, the recent dismissals signal a changing of the guard in the NFL’s coaching ranks.
While the moves promise fresh leadership, they also underscore the ever-present demand for immediate success in a win-now culture that leaves little room for rebuilding phases. As new candidates are lined up to take over, the ripple effects of these firings will be felt not just in the locker room but throughout the entire league.
New York Jets: Rex Ryan
Robert Saleh's firing mid-season sent shockwaves through the NFL, as firing a coach mid-season is uncommon and throws a franchise into turmoil. While he did boast a 20-36 record as head coach, Saleh's firing was questionable as he built the Jets' defense into a top-10 defensive unit. His struggles came on the offense, where his first tenure was under Zach Wilson, who could not develop correctly, and Aaron Rodgers, who cried wolf every time something didn't go his way. The Jets' offense is loaded with talent, with the likes of Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, and Davante Adams (pending whether he leaves or stays this season). Still, Saleh couldn't optimize what his team had on both ends of the ball.
With Aaron Rodgers now moving on from the Jets or retiring, the Jets need a familiar face in a team that has potential, enter Rex Ryan. Ryan, a former head coach for the Jets from 2009-2014, boasting a 46-50 regular season record and a 4-2 playoff record, can move away from the Rodgers bubble and revamp the team. While his record isn't impressive, Ryan knows the Jets and can bring life back to a team that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2010, when he was head coach for them.
Chicago Bears: Brian Flores
Bears fans rejoiced when Eburflus was finally fired. Well-hated by the fans, Eburflus' time with the Bears was a forgetful one. He never produced a winning record in his 2 1/2 seasons as the coach. He was another coach who was fired midseason, but this firing was praised. He did not develop Justin Fields well, and Caleb Williams struggled under his coaching schemes.
Flores is a good choice to take the helm. He has overseen one of the NFL’s best-run defenses with the Vikings, which allowed 93.4 yards per game on the ground and ranked fifth in the league in points allowed per game. His defensive mind can boost the Bears' defense, and his winning attitude when he was head coach for the Dolphins can hopefully bring the Bears out of mediocrity, and his hypothetical staff bring Caleb Williams further along.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Bobby Slowik
Another interesting one is the Jaguars firing head coach Doug Peterson. Peterson's 22-29 record as the Jags head coach wasn't great, but he had hauled the Jags out of obscurity with a playoff appearance in 2022 and developed Trevor Lawrence well. The regression the Jags had this year came down to what assets they had on the field, which came down to the questionable decision-making of GM Trent Baalke, whom I know for a fact Jags fans hate and have been calling for his firing the last two years. You can't blame a coach for all the troubles a team has been having, and the Jaguars are an example of this.
Bobby Slowik, the current offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, is a viable candidate for the vacant head coaching job. The Texans organization loves Slowik, and he has had a significant impact on the successful development of CJ Stroud and can carry that knowledge to Trevor Lawrence. While the Texans have regressed this season, injuries have plagued the team this year, and Stroud's hesitation in throwing the football has also been a part of that. I am not saying it is Stroud's fault, but sometimes it is best to save the yards and throw the football away. Slowik could be a great addition to lead the Jags and bring back their success in the 2022 season.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ben Johnson
Got to feel bad for Antonio Pierce here. He was just not put into a position to succeed on a team that is in a rebuild. After trading Davante Adams and Gardner Minshew out for the season, the Raiders just took the fall and tanked the season for a high draft pick. While Pierce is loved in the locker room for his spirit and culture, he was just put into a bad position and took the blame for the Raiders struggles this season.
Deion Sanders clarified that he would only coach in the NFL if he were coaching his sons. Sorry, Raiders fans, I don't think this matchup is happening. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is a perfect match for this team, as the Raiders have talent on it already, with the likes of Jacoby Meyers, Brock Bowers, and Maxx Crosby. With Johnson's dynamic and creativity, this would be a perfect match for a rebuilding franchise. With a quarterback most likely being their first pick in the draft, Johnson can develop the young quarterback like he has with Jared Goff, bring this team out of the level it's in, and be a real competitor in the AFC West.
New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel
Jerod Mayo's first tenure as the first head coach post-Belichick era was unforgettable, to say the least. But with a team in a rebuild, it was hard to see this man given the boot with the team he was given. However, given the rumors that he was playing cards during film sessions and meetings, his coaching career is already under scrutiny. Nevertheless, Mayo could not deliver and at least give the Patriots a winning record, but the team finally has a franchise QB in Drake Maye, which they haven't had since Tom Brady, so the team has some promise.
Mike Vrabel is perfect for this position. He is a Patriots Hall of Famer alum with successful coaching experience with the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel was well-liked in Tennessee and had deep ties to the Patriots organization. In six seasons as Titans head coach, Vrabel compiled a 54-45 record with three playoff appearances, including a run to the AFC Championship Game in 2019. Tennessee won back-to-back AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021. He can bring the Patriots back to form fans have wanted since Tom Brady's departure.
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