Latest buzz on open NFL coach jobs: Dan Quinn’s options, Chicago’s plan and what we know about Jim Harbaugh

For the reason that 2021 NFL common season ended, there have been seven NFL head-coach firings and 4 extra normal supervisor jobs come open. Not one of the vacant spots has been crammed but, which implies it’s time for an additional pocket book from our insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler.

Listed below are the head-coach jobs which might be open: Bears, Broncos, Dolphins, Giants, Jaguars, Texans and Vikings. The Raiders are additionally interviewing candidates, although interim coach Wealthy Bisaccia may nonetheless get the job. The Bears, Giants, Raiders and Vikings even have GM openings to fill.

Which crew will make the primary transfer? Maybe every group needs to attend to exhaust all avenues, probably interviewing coordinators on playoff groups, though lots of the coordinators whose groups are nonetheless taking part in have interviewed a number of instances.

So what have Graziano and Fowler heard concerning the open jobs and candidates for every? They separate truth from fiction on what’s new with the Bears, a scorching candidate who may have his selection of a number of jobs, the most recent on a potential Jim Harbaugh leap to the NFL and extra, together with information and notes on potential coordinator motion:

What’s subsequent for the Giants?

Fowler: Normal managers go into interviews with a listing of head-coaching candidates with whom they’d wish to work. Typically, scorching names overlap. I’m advised that’s the case with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who’s on the listing of a number of normal supervisor finalists. The Giants have formally requested to talk with Quinn, and I’m anticipating them to do the identical with Payments offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, whose identify has been concerned within the GM proceedings. Buffalo govt Joe Schoen is believed to be shut with Daboll, who might help the Giants’ quarterback place, whether or not that’s Daniel Jones or another person (the brand new GM will make that decision).

Todd Bowles is one other identify to look at right here; the previous Jets head coach has New Jersey ties. And right here’s a long-shot identify to look at: Marvin Lewis, who went 131-122-3 because the Bengals coach from 2003 to 2018. He has been an adviser at Arizona State underneath coach Herm Edwards since 2019.

Graziano: Yeah, it’s fascinating that the Giants put in for Quinn earlier than ending the GM interviews. There was a way across the league for some time that Quinn might be the Broncos’ man, and possibly the Giants have heard so many good issues about him from their GM candidates that they need to see if they will throw a Hail Mary and get him earlier than he’s gone.

I additionally count on them to look into former Dolphins coach Brian Flores and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Flores and GM candidate Ryan Poles, an govt for the Chiefs, each went to Boston School, as did Giants proprietor John Mara. Poles and Flores additionally share the identical agent, as is the case with Schoen and Daboll, and it’s common for brokers concerned on this course of to attempt to pair their shoppers up with groups.

My sense is the Giants ought to have a GM in place quickly, possibly even by the weekend, and also you’ll begin to see their listing of head-coach candidates unfurl a bit as soon as that occurs.

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Regulate Jim Caldwell in Chicago

Graziano: Based on a number of sources, the Raiders and Vikings each reached out to former Colts and Lions coach Jim Caldwell this week to request to interview him, and he declined each requests. This means strongly that Caldwell believes he’ll get one of many different open jobs, and my understanding is that he’s within the combine in each Chicago and Jacksonville and already is reaching out to candidates for his workers.

If I needed to wager proper now, I’d say Caldwell results in Chicago, the place former Colts normal supervisor Invoice Polian helps direct the search, although it’s clearly fascinating that Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is scheduled for a second interview there. The Bears had been interviewing Payments defensive coordinator and former Vikings coach Leslie Frazier on Friday, and I’m advised there’s nonetheless assist for Frazier of their constructing. Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson can be somebody to look at in Chicago if Caldwell doesn’t develop into its man.

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What we learn about Jim Harbaugh and the Raiders’ job

Graziano: We had been the primary, again in December, to inform you to be careful for the Raiders and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. The newest I’ve been advised is that he has had a contract extension supply on his desk from Michigan for practically two weeks now however is ready to see what occurs with the Raiders’ job. He has curiosity in returning to the NFL, the place he was 49-22-1 in 4 seasons because the 49ers coach from 2011 to 2014, and within the Raiders particularly.

The Raiders’ season simply ended final Saturday, and crew proprietor Mark Davis was ready for the top of the season earlier than starting this course of. So it might be only a matter of time earlier than issues are finalized and Harbaugh is the brand new Raiders coach. If it doesn’t occur, sure, interim coach Wealthy Bisaccia deserves and can get a glance, however I’ve additionally been advised to be careful for Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as a candidate right here.

Fowler: Bisaccia and Davis met at size Wednesday afternoon, and the phrase out of Las Vegas is the assembly went nicely. However Davis conveyed he has a course of he should undergo to finalize head-coaching plans. So Bisaccia stays within the combine for the full-time job, however Davis will interview different candidates. And the extra he interviews, the more durable it is perhaps to maintain the interim coach.

Whereas that fascinating Harbaugh subplot outlined above percolates, the Raiders may crystallize their normal supervisor search after firing Mike Mayock earlier this week. A Patriots-style assault might be so as: GM candidate Dave Ziegler, the Pats’ director of participant personnel, has historical past with present Raiders exec DuJuan Daniels, who got here from New England. They each know head-coach candidate and Patriots defensive coach Jerod Mayo nicely.

The expectation is that Indianapolis exec Ed Dodds is within the combine right here, however as of Thursday afternoon the Colts had not obtained an interview request for him. Dodds has turned down jobs earlier than, however the Raiders’ playoff roster may attraction to him.

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Who is that this yr’s Brandon Staley?

Graziano: One of many hottest names out there’s that of Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who I’m advised made a really robust impression in his interview with the Texans and is taken into account by some in that constructing to be the present front-runner for the job. A head-coach job on this cycle would symbolize a speedy rise for Gannon, who was the Colts’ defensive backs coach two years in the past and is coming off his first season as a coordinator.

However those that have labored with him laud his potential to attach with varied forms of folks, construct up the boldness of the gamers and coaches round him and keep robust relationships. Judging a coordinator primarily based on the way in which the crew carried out on his facet of the ball is simple, however the traits that make a powerful head coach don’t at all times align with people who outline a coach’s particular defensive or offensive schemes. The 39-year-old Gannon is impressing folks in ways in which make groups take a look at him as a powerful general chief.

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What are the Vikings on the lookout for in a coach?

Fowler: Mike Tomlin’s identify has come up throughout Minnesota’s search because the crew’s committee identifies the proper coach. The Vikings had Tomlin, who has by no means had a file beneath .500 since taking up the Steelers’ job, in 2006 as Brad Childress’ defensive coordinator and knew his magnetic persona would result in a profitable head-coaching tenure. And whereas Mike Zimmer had a largely profitable eight-year run in Minnesota, it’s no secret his hard-charging type grated on the locker room, so an opportunity of tempo might be wanted.

Tomlin is one in all a sort, however can the Vikings discover somebody who suits that mould? Dan Quinn definitely has that gear, and I’m listening to he’s excessive on their listing, if not on the prime. Quinn is intrigued by Minnesota, however pairing with the proper normal supervisor is essential to him, and along with his long-standing relationship with Broncos GM George Paton, Denver would have that edge except the Vikings can attraction to him.

49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans presents an fascinating case as a result of, like Tomlin, he has been an NFL defensive coordinator for one season however has created buzz for his humble confidence, expertise analysis and pedigree (he was a greater participant than virtually anybody he coaches). Ryans is 37, whereas Tomlin was 34 upon his hiring in Pittsburgh.

Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles all convey their very own taste. Another names which have come up within the Vikings’ search: Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Iowa State coach Matt Campbell.

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Matt Eberflus might be the Jags’ man

Fowler: The Colts defensive coordinator has heightened his profile as a result of he’s often called a powerful interviewer, is well-organized and has the proper demeanor for being a head coach. That helps clarify why he’s a finalist in Chicago and Jacksonville. The Colts are assured that Eberflus will get one of many two jobs.

There’s a way in some teaching circles that, out of the 2 choices, Eberflus will lean Jacksonville, which badly wants an grownup within the room to construct with Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars’ plan was to slim down a listing of two or three finalists after preliminary interviews. Eberflus is the one recognized finalist so far.

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Might there be a Seahawks reunion in Denver?

Graziano: The Broncos are touring the nation interviewing coaches this week, but it surely’s nonetheless laborious to search out somebody who doesn’t assume Cowboys defensive coordinator and former Falcons coach Dan Quinn will find yourself being their choose. If that occurs, be careful for Darrell Bevell as his potential choose for offensive coordinator (assuming Bevell, who completed the season because the Jaguars’ interim coach, doesn’t get the full-time job in Jacksonville).

Bevell and Quinn had been the offensive and defensive coordinators in Seattle in 2013-14, and in reality Bevell was the offensive coordinator there for the primary six years of Russell Wilson’s profession. Simply one thing to look at, since Denver is on the lookout for a quarterback this offseason and Wilson would possibly be on the lookout for a brand new dwelling.

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Coordinator rumblings

Graziano:

• It appears Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell is the front-runner to land that very same job with the Seattle Seahawks. Donatell has had a few temporary stints on the College of Washington teaching workers, so he has ties to the world.

• Assuming Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler retires, as anticipated, the crew seems more likely to promote secondary coach Teryl Austin to interchange him.

• If Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will get a head-coach job, look ahead to Bucs linebackers coach Larry Foote to go along with him as his defensive coordinator.

• Colts operating backs coach Scottie Montgomery, a former Steelers assistant coach, could be a candidate to look at if the Steelers resolve to maneuver on from offensive coordinator Matt Canada after one season.

• Former Broncos coach Vic Fangio is producing plenty of curiosity as a defensive coordinator candidate. Jaguars normal supervisor Trent Baalke is alleged to be enthusiastic about bringing in Fangio as defensive coordinator, relying on who finally will get the head-coach job. There even have been plenty of rumblings connecting Fangio to the Rams if present defensive coordinator Raheem Morris had been to go elsewhere.

Fowler:

• Talking of Canada, I’m advised he’s assured he’ll get one other yr to form the Steelers’ offense. There’s no official vote of confidence but, however hardly ever does Tomlin fireplace a coach after one season. The sensation early on is that Canada will keep, barring a shock.

• And on Donatell and Seattle, right here’s what one supply mentioned about his candidacy for the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator job: “It’s his job to lose.”

• The Panthers are beginning their follow-up interviews for the offensive coordinator place. After speaking with eight or so candidates, Matt Rhule is assembly a second time with Montgomery and former Washington coach Jay Gruden, and there might be extra. Carolina is taking its time, so it’s potential the job isn’t finalized this week.

• The Lions haven’t finalized offensive coordinator plans after they fired Anthony Lynn, however Dan Campbell is believed to be contemplating in-house choices. Tight ends coach Ben Johnson has a superb rapport with Jared Goff and helped Campbell with a number of offensive duties in the course of the season. He might be within the combine.