By Noah Curitti
As the Super Bowl approaches, the hunt for head coaches is already in full swing in the NFL, with most teams having found a new coach to lead their franchise for the 2025/26 season.
After a tumultuous end to the season, seven teams were in need of the head coach. Six of them—The Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets—have found their guy.
The New Orleans Saints are still in the hunt, with some good options available.
Here are my rankings of the NFL head coaching moves that have been made so far.
Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson | A+
Former Job: Offensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
The Chicago Bears have made a splash by hiring Ben Johnson, one of the most sought-after coaching candidates. Johnson, who transformed the Detroit Lions' offence into one of the NFL's best, expressed his desire to stay within the NFC North. Under his leadership, Detroit ranked second in total offence, showcasing his innovative play-calling and ability to maximize player potential. Now, he joins a Bears team with promising young talent—including 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams—but that finished at the bottom of the division with a 5-12 record this season. Johnson’s leadership, playoff experience, and offensive expertise makes him a perfect fit as the Bears aim to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. His hiring is a home run for a franchise eager to reestablish itself as a contender.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Liam Coen | A-
Former Job: Offensive Coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a strategic hire by bringing in Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach. Coen spent four years under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams and gained valuable experience in modern offensive schemes and quarterback development. In Tampa Bay, he played a key role in reviving Baker Mayfield's career by tailoring the offence to his strengths.
Coen’s path to Jacksonville wasn’t straightforward—he initially declined an in-person interview due to concerns over general manager Trent Baalke, a 4 year Jaguars executive with a controversial reputation who reportedly convinced owner Shad Khan to part ways with Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson after three seasons. Now tasked with maximizing young talent, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Coen’s adaptability, strategic approach and quarterback expertise makes him a strong choice for a Jaguars team looking to reach the next level.
Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Carroll | B
Former Job: Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks (Stepped down to take advisory role with Seahawks in 2023)
The Las Vegas Raiders' hiring of Pete Carroll is a solid move, yet one that feels more practical than spectacular. Carroll boasts an impressive coaching pedigree—including a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014—and brings a wealth of experience to the franchise. His energetic, upbeat personality is what truly sets him apart. Known for his "Always Compete" mantra, Carroll fosters a positive, high-energy environment that has inspired players throughout his career.
However, it’s easy to feel like the Raiders could have aimed higher. With promising candidates like Ben Johnson, now in Chicago, the Raiders seem to have missed an opportunity to make a bolder move. While Carroll’s reputation will help instill discipline and a winning mentality, this hire feels like something of a safe bet.
It will be interesting to see how Carroll’s approach meshes with Tom Brady’s vision for the team. The legendary QB is a minority owner with the team but will reportedly be leaned on heavily to figure out the Raiders’ rebuild. If they can build a strong relationship and work well together, it might still lead to success—just not the kind of splash fans were hoping for.
New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel | B
Former Job: Head Coach, Tennessee Titans (Was a consultant for the Cleveland Browns this season)
The New England Patriots made a solid, if not spectacular, hire in bringing Mike Vrabel back to the franchise, this time as head coach. Having played for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, Vrabel brings valuable familiarity with the team’s culture and winning pedigree. Known for his disciplined, team-first mentality, Vrabel has earned the respect of players across the league, making him a natural fit to lead a rebuilding New England squad. His coaching philosophy, which emphasizes that success is a collective effort, should resonate well as he works to develop young quarterback Drake Maye.
The success of this hire hinges on Maye’s development, as Vrabel will need to ensure the rookie has the support of a solid offensive line and reliable weapons to grow into a leader for the future. While Vrabel is expected to build a competitive team, his challenge is to help Maye reach his potential, a task that could be pivotal in bringing back the Patriots' once-dominant dynasty. This hire is a B move, with plenty of room for success if Vrabel can develop Maye into a capable quarterback and reinvigorate the franchise.
Dallas Cowboys: Brian Schottenhemier | C
Former Job: Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys (In-house promotion)
The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to promote Brian Schottenheimer as head coach has sparked disappointment among fans, who had hoped for a more dynamic hire given the options available. In 2024, the Cowboys’ offence ranked 17th in the league and struggled to compete, failing to meet expectations despite having star players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Given candidates like former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore—now with the Eagles— still available, Schottenheimer’s promotion feels like a safe but underwhelming choice.
It appears to reflect the growing unease about owner Jerry Jones’ ability to lead the franchise back to prominence. With the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl win having come back in 1996, the team’s failure to make significant progress in recent years has left fans disillusioned. Rumours suggest star players may even leave. While in-house promotions can offer continuity, Schottenheimer’s familiarity with the system doesn’t inspire confidence that the Cowboys are on the verge of a championship. For now, this hire seems to be a C level decision, with potential to either pay off or prove to be another misstep for a franchise that continues to disappoint.
New York Jets: Aaron Glenn | B+
Former Job: Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
The New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn, the Lions' defensive coordinator, as their new head coach, bringing in a respected coach with deep ties to the franchise. Glenn, who was drafted in the first round by the Jets in 1994, returns to the team he once played for. Known for his strong leadership and ability to inspire players, Glenn hiring allows him to prove that he’s not just a defensive coach but someone who understands every aspect of coaching, from offence to special teams.
As he works to turn the Jets around, Glenn will need to navigate the distractions surrounding the franchise, including ownership’s controversial focus on off-field matters—Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly nixed a trade for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy over his “Madden” rating. Perhaps even more pressing, Glenn will need to manage veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and ensure he doesn’t overstep his role—it’s Glenn’s job to run the team, not Rodgers’. Jets fans have endured years of struggle and frustration, yearning for success and a return to prominence. Glenn’s homecoming means he takes on the responsibility to change the course of this team and lead it to long-awaited victories. With his experience and comprehensive coaching philosophy, he has the tools to build a new culture, but the pressure is on him to deliver and finally bring the Jets back to relevance.
New Orleans Saints: N/A
The Saints are yet to find their guy. There are still some good candidates on the market and I’d expect to see them make a decision soon. The top candidate appears to be Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who has had two interviews with the team. With the Eagles making the Super Bowl, Moore has not accepted the job yet.
New Orleans is in a tough situation with some off field issues that may be delaying Moore’s decision to join. He will be helping the Eagles win a Super Bowl in New Orleans this weekend and that could end up being his future home. Regardless, I would expect a hire in the coming weeks but as of now, they are still in the hunt.
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