We're only a few weeks away from the end of the NFL regular season, but the recruiting cycle is in full swing. Every time a playoff team is eliminated, a new opportunity to hire an assistant coach opens up, and we're already seeing interviews piling up.
So far, only the New England Patriots have made a move, hiring Patriots legend and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel. The remaining teams without coaches are waiting for more candidates to emerge, especially the Lions' two sluggers this cycle in Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
Ahead of our remaining hires, we decided to take a look at who we think will ultimately win the remaining positions and why.
Dallas Cowboys: Kellen Moore
It's a lot of fun to imagine Deion Sanders coaching the Cowboys (and the drama that would bring), but despite the big buzz, there's only one option that really makes sense here, and that's Kellen.・It's Moore.
Moore threads the needle both by being a worthy coaching candidate for the head coaching job and by having a key connection to Dallas that Jerry Jones covets. It's impossible to ignore what Moore did for the Eagles this season, and a lot of that goes to Saquon Barkley, but he did everything well.
Moore was always touted as a potential successor to Dallas. It may have been a detour to get back into the organization, but it makes too much sense to ignore.
New York Jets: Rex Ryan
How many coaches actually want the Jets' coaching job? The Venn diagram is a circle, and Rex Ryan is at the center of it.
This organization is in a nightmare of its own making by ceding so much influence to Aaron Rodgers and handing him the keys to the kingdom. Regardless of whether Rodgers returns in 2025, the roster is in shambles. And Robert Saleh's firing sends a message to the coaching world that doing a good job for the Jets is not enough, which makes the problem even worse.
There are times when organizations have big swings and times when they punt. This is one of those moments where you need to deploy special teams for the next year or two, sign a veteran QB, and build the foundation for a dynamic hire.
Jets fans have to be prepared to not get Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn this cycle. They won't be able to acquire the young, promising talent that many teams covet. Rex Ryan will be a steadying force (as wild as it sounds) and will at least move the team a little in the right direction.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ben Johnson
This will come as a shock to many, but it shouldn't be. Johnson is the most popular coach this cycle, but why would he choose the Raiders of all places? Ultimately, it comes down to two main reasons:
- The Raiders are essentially a blank canvas.
- The assumption is that Mr. Johnson will have a significant opinion on GM.
These are two Really A powerful motivator for young coaches. Instead of dealing with Jacksonville's Trent Baalke or Chicago's Ryan Pauls (two places that have been floated as potential landing spots for Johnson), the Lions' offensive coordinator will have to figure out who in the front office is aligned with Johnson. Now you can see him in your vision and have his back.
Roster-wise, there's a lot to like about the Raiders. Yes, quarterbacks are a real nightmare and need to be dealt with. But with cap space projected at $85 million in 2025, there's plenty of room to act. Couple that with superstar tight ends in Brock Bowers, elite DE Maxx Crosby, and a breakout-ready Tyree Wilson, and you have a pretty impressive package.
The position would also allow Johnson to solidify his status as Las Vegas' first successful NFL coach. He doesn't seem like someone who craves glory, which is a nice perk.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Liam Cohen
Despite being relatively sleepy this coaching cycle, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen fits exactly what the Jaguars need. Cohen, who was introduced to Sean McVay's coaching tree, spent one year at Kentucky before being hired onto Todd Bowles' staff last season.
The priority for Jacksonville is getting Trevor Lawrence back on track. I have yet to see Lawrence, who suffers from a boring and lackluster passing game, get a chance with someone who understands the modern passing game and how to use his abilities effectively. Cohen just finished coaching Baker Mayfield to over 4,000 yards in a season.
Most importantly, it's time for someone to establish an identity for the Jags. Doug Pederson was a boring, safe pick with boring, poor results. A hungry young man like Cohen will come in and shake things up in a positive way. It's not at all similar to what Carolina did a year ago with former Bucs OC Dave Canales. Now the team is on the rise and the fans are actually excited. Now may be the only time to follow in the Panthers' footsteps.
Chicago Bears: Mike McCarthy
All signs point to Mike McCarthy finding his way to Chicago as the Bears' next head coach.
The Bears approached McCarthy about an interview before his contract with the Dallas Cowboys expired. That request was denied, but as soon as McCarthy's tenure with the Cowboys ended, Chicago came calling again.
Now, the organization plans to roll out the red carpet for the former Cowboys head coach, who will be the team's second in-person interview this cycle and Ron Rivera's first. Yes, some of Chicago's candidates are still coaching in the playoffs, so more interviews may take place as the playoffs continue and teams are eliminated, but Chicago has strong interest in McCarthy. And his history in developing quarterbacks makes him a serious candidate. This job.
New Orleans Saints: Aaron Glenn
This is a fun question for your next soccer debate, or perhaps your next award-winning article. football court.
Of the two Detroit coordinators, is Ben Johnson the better head coaching candidate, or should that title be reserved for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn?
While Johnson is certainly a hot name on the head coaching merry-go-round given how he transformed the Lions' offense and brought out the best in Jared Goff, Glenn's resume stands out among candidates in this field. It certainly stands out among the others. After his playing days ended, Glenn began his coaching career as general manager of the Houston Stallions of the Texas Lone Star Football League. For those of you who, like me, are wondering what the TLSFL is, it is an indoor football league in the state of Texas.
Glenn then returned to the New York Jets as a scout before becoming an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. He also served as the secondary coach in New Orleans before joining the Lions as defensive coordinator under coach Dan Campbell in 2021.
Glenn has experience as a player, scout, coach and even a general manager. This prepared him to take on the task of being an NFL head coach. He has experience as a player and coach in New Orleans.
He is the perfect candidate for sainthood.
