The NFL offseason is officially underway in many cities as teams begin to make significant changes following the conclusion of the regular season. A number of teams have already fired their head coaches, and it seems the rebuilds are beginning.
In New England, the Patriots took an early step by firing first-year coach Jerod Mayo after a disappointing 4-13 season. The move marks a shift for the storied franchise as they look to find their footing once again.
The Jacksonville Jaguars followed suit by releasing Doug Pederson, though they decided to keep the general manager, Trent Baalke, as they search for a new direction. On the same day, the Las Vegas Raiders also made a coaching change, parting ways with Antonio Pierce while retaining GM Tom Telesco.
Earlier in the season, the Chicago Bears dismissed Matt Eberflus, the New Orleans Saints let go of Dennis Allen, and the New York Jets moved on from Robert Saleh, all of which have stirred rumors around potential candidates for various openings. Notable names like Mike Vrabel and Ron Rivera have been linked to these coaching vacancies.
This week promising interviews are already scheduled. The Bears will interview Pete Carroll, a Super Bowl winning coach, while Dallas owner Jerry Jones expressed uncertainty about making any changes following news of the Bears wanting to talk to Mike McCarthy. The Patriots, meanwhile, are eyeing Pep Hamilton for their head coach position.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores from the Minnesota Vikings is expected to be a strong candidate in the coaching circuit this offseason. He has also shown interest in the Patriots job but has yet to be contacted by the team.
As the offseason progresses, teams like the New Orleans Saints are starting to set up interviews as well, including with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and interim head coach Darren Rizzi. Their search encompasses numerous candidates as they prepare for next season.
With numerous teams in transition, there’s bound to be more action in the coming weeks. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as new head coaches will be appointed, and the landscape of the NFL shifts once more.
