Future Hall of Famers and past Coach of the Year winners may not find employment this summer because the 2024 NFL free-agent head-coaching class is perhaps the best ever. Here are our predictions for each of the seven head-coaching positions that are still open.
Falcons: Bill Belichick, the former head coach of the Patriots
Given that they’ve already conducted an interview with Belichick, the Falcons appear to be the most likely destination for him, barring a head coaching change by the Philadelphia Eagles or Dallas Cowboys. Even though Belichick had his poorest season as a head coach in 2023, his defense was still excellent (ranking sixth in yards allowed), and he probably would have been more successful with an offense like Atlanta’s. Atlanta’s defense, which was on the verge of greatness before to DT Grady Jarrett’s season-ending ACL rupture, might be improved by the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach’s defensive acumen (12th in points and sixth in yards allowed).
Carolina Panthers: Bobby Slowik, OC for the Texans
With no 2024 first-round pick, the league’s least talented roster, and the worst owner, it will be interesting to see who Carolina persuades to take the least desired coaching position in the NFL. Carolina is “intrigued” by the prospect of appointing a first-time offensive-minded head coach to work alongside current DC Ejiro Evero, and Slowik would be a good fit in this sense, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. After finishing third in points and second in yards per game on average in 2022, Houston finished 12th and 13th in both categories in Slowik’s first season in charge.
The Raiders of Las Vegas: Antonio Pierce
Notwithstanding his lack of experience, Pierce showed he was the appropriate man to take the Raiders to a 5-4 record following Josh McDaniels’ midseason dismissal. Over that time, the NFL’s best defensive teams, led by Las Vegas, allowed the fewest points (16) and the 11th-fewest yards per game (324.9). Owner Mark Davis should be persuaded to hire Pierce permanently if the player’s performance on the field isn’t enough by the possibility of losing the locker room and important players like edge-rusher Maxx Crosby.
MICHA Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh
With quarterback J.J. McCarthy declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft and Harbaugh leading Michigan to a national championship, he is arguably the most divisive candidate of this hiring cycle. Many anticipate Harbaugh to return to the professional ranks. Though Harbaugh has contemplated going back to the NFL in the past, no interested team had a quarterback as good as Justin Herbert, who would likely give him the best chance to win a Super Bowl. It appears like Harbaugh will end up in Los Angeles after he interviewed with the Chargers on Monday, and Fowler subsequently mentioned that there is “mutual interest” between the parties.
Seahawks of Seattle: Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
Quinn, who served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014, signaled that a reunion is more likely than not when he surfaced as a contender for the position of head coach soon after Pete Carroll was fired. Despite Quinn’s unsuccessful tenure as Atlanta’s head coach and the Cowboys defense’s dismal performance in Sunday’s wild-card loss, Quinn’s 53-year-old performance in the 2023 regular season shouldn’t be disregarded. This season, Dallas’ defense finished seventh in interceptions (17) and fifth in both scoring and yardage.
Titans of Tennessee: Ravens DC Macdonald, Mike
One of the reasons Mike Vrabel was fired as the previous Coach of the Year was a lack of communication between the team’s hierarchy and him. This implies Tennessee will select a candidate who is less control-hungry. That usually means adding a head coach with no prior expertise, but Macdonald would still be a great addition even though hiring offensive-minded coaches has been the norm in the NFL. With Baltimore’s defense ranking in the top three in scoring and top 10 in yardage the last two seasons, Tennessee’s defense has shown signs of potential, and Macdonald might raise the ceiling for the unit.
DC Commanders: Ben Johnson, OC for the Lions
Johnson is Washington’s “top choice” among the eligible candidates, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, and it’s difficult to believe he would turn down such a fantastic chance. Johnson has contributed to QB Jared Goff’s comeback and helped the Lions offense become one of the top five in the NFL. With a wealth of weapons, including wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, and the opportunity to select a top quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, Johnson’s Washington team has a real chance to get to the top.
