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We know the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders have coaching vacancies. The situations in New England and Tennessee are being closely monitored by NFL insiders as well.
Before, we'll round up the NFL's juiciest rumors following the end of the regular season.
Bill Belichick
A change is expected in Foxborough.
According to Peter King of Pro Football Talk, "We can't know for sure until Robert and Jonathan Kraft have their post-season meeting with Bill Belichick, but signs point to Sunday being Belichick's last game as coach of the New England Patriots. The two sides have had enough of each other, and there's a strong feeling around the league that the Krafts want a fresh start."
As for where Belichick might end up if he leaves the Pats, well... let the games begin.
"Belichick to Dallas is my sleeper, but I'd make Atlanta the odds-on favorite for Bill," an executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic.
Don't disregard the possibility of Jerry Jones making a coaching change if the Dallas Cowboys disappoint in the playoffs again. The Cowboys have a window with Dak Prescott and a talented young roster, but it won't stay open forever. If Mike McCarthy doesn't perform this postseason, the Cowboys will be an interesting team to monitor.
Jim Harbaugh
According to Sando, seven coaches and executives around the NFL believe the Los Angeles Chargers make the most sense as an NFL destination for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, should he choose to make the jump back to the pros.
"They want Harbaugh, and he wants them, so I would think they would get that done," a veteran coach told Sando. "The Raiders want Harbaugh, too, so the Raiders could outbid them, but I don't think that will happen."
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Commanders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Commanders</a> - potentially others as well - all interested in Jim Harbaugh, who I'm told plans to leave Michigan and return to the NFL. <a href="https://t.co/3dDCBINaoC">https://t.co/3dDCBINaoC</a>
Don't discount the Raiders either:
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_ReportSources to <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BleacherReport</a>: There is mutual interest between the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> and current <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Michigan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Michigan</a> HC Jim Harbaugh. <br><br>I'm told Harbaugh wants to return to the NFL, and has "a lot of interest" in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a>' vacancy as well.<br><br>There is a slew of internal support for Antonio Pierce… <a href="https://t.co/PT074hSTZZ">pic.twitter.com/PT074hSTZZ</a>
Harbaugh might be ready for a return to the West Coast after serving as Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers' head coach earlier in his coaching career. Having a star-in-the-making at quarterback already in place in Justin Herbert makes the job appealing.
Falcons Ready to Take a Big Swing?
The Falcons have already been mentioned above as potential suitors for Belichick, but Harbaugh may be in the mix as well, per Albert Breer of The MMQB:
"No less than a half dozen people I've talked to over the past week have linked the Falcons to Patriots coach Bill Belichick. And I've heard that Blank has at least looked into the concept of hiring Belichick or Harbaugh. (One connected source said, 'I wouldn't sleep on Atlanta' with Harbaugh to replace Arthur Smith.)"
Unlike the Chargers, the Falcons don't have the quarterback position solved. But they have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, making them the right coach—and quarterback—away from being very competitive.
Mike Vrabel
Could Mike Vrabel be on the move as well?
Per Sando, "Execs see Vrabel as frustrated and saddled with an aging roster in a division featuring lots of young talent on the other three teams."
"I think it totally makes sense," a former AFC South executive told Sando regarding the possibility of the head coach departing the Tennessee Titans. "I think he wants more power. There are going to be some tough discussions, and if he doesn't get what he wants, then look out. That is my opinion."
Keep an eye on the Patriots:
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_ReportSources to <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BleacherReport</a>: As the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> weigh HC Mike Vrabel's future this week, he's interested in the idea of returning to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Patriots</a>, should New England part ways with Bill Belichick. <a href="https://t.co/xswyVb1yIE">pic.twitter.com/xswyVb1yIE</a>
Vrabel spent eight seasons as a player in New England. A reunion might make sense if Belichick and the Patriots part way.
The Commanders' Coaching Search
Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is on the candidate list for the Washington Commanders' vacancy, alongside Baltimore associate head coach Anthony Weaver:
So is Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn:
Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroThe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Commanders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Commanders</a> aren't wasting time: They've requested interviews with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lions</a> OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn for their head coaching job, per sources.
Washington, mired in years of mediocrity, needs to get its first coaching hire right under the new stewardship of owner Josh Harris. Expect them to cast a wide net.
