2024 NFL coaching carousel predictions.
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.
Atlanta Falcons: former Patriots HC Bill Belichick
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. The defense-minded head coach, who has won six Super Bowls, has the ability to improve Atlanta’s team, which was on the verge of greatness prior to DT Grady Jarrett’s season-ending ACL tear (12th in points and sixth in yards allowed).
Carolina Panthers: Texans OC Bobby Slowik
It’ll be fascinating to see who Carolina convinces to accept the NFL’s least desirable coaching job, as it doesn’t own a 2024 first-round pick and has the least talented roster in the league in addition to the worst owner. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Carolina is “intrigued” by the idea of hiring a first-time offensive-minded head coach to pair with current DC Ejiro Evero, and Slowik would fit the bill in this regard. Houston went from averaging the second-fewest yards and third-fewest points in 2022 to ranking 12th and 13th in those respective categories in its first season under Slowik.
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
Despite his limited experience, Pierce proved he’s the right choice to lead the Raiders by leading the team to a 5-4 record after Josh McDaniels’ mid-season firing. In that span, Las Vegas solidified itself as one of the NFL’s top defensive units, allowing the fewest points (16) and 11th-fewest yards per game (324.9). If the on-field results aren’t enough for owner Mark Davis to hire Pierce permanently, the risk of losing the locker room and key stars like edge-rusher Maxx Crosby should be enough to sway him.
Los Angeles Chargers: Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh
Perhaps the most polarizing candidate of this hiring cycle, many expect Harbaugh to jump back to the pros after delivering a national championship to Michigan and seeing QB J.J.
McCarthy declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. In the past, Harbaugh has considered returning to the NFL, but no interested team was equipped with a quarterback as talented as Justin Herbert, who would probably give him his best chance at winning a Super Bowl. Harbaugh interviewed with the Chargers on Monday, and Fowler later noted there’s “mutual interest” between the sides, so it seems all signs are pointing to him landing in Los Angeles.
Seattle Seahawks: Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
Quinn, Seattle’s defensive coordinator during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, emerged as a candidate for its head-coaching vacancy shortly after Pete Carroll’s firing, signaling that a reunion is more likely than not. Although Quinn’s failed stint as Atlanta’s head coach and the Cowboys defense’s disastrous showing in Sunday’s wild-card loss might raise concerns about his ability to succeed in Seattle, the 53-year-old’s work in the 2023 regular season shouldn’t be overlooked. Dallas’ defense ranked fifth in both scoring and yardage this season, as well as eighth in interceptions (17).
Tennessee Titans: Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
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.
Washington Commanders: Lions OC Ben Johnson
Johnson is Washington’s “top choice” among the applicants, according to Dana 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 league.
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.
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