The 2024 regular season is heading into its final week. For some clubs, Week 18 will be a mere formality as they gear up for what they hope to be a deep playoff run. Then, there are the other teams that will go through the motions of the final slate, come out the other side, and then face some difficult decisions.
Those teams that failed to reach the postseason will have to take a hard look at themselves and figure out if the ones leading the organization -- particularly at head coach -- are right for the job. The Monday after the final week of the regular season -- better known as "Black Monday" -- has been a key spot for coaches and GMs alike to face the music, losing their jobs.
At the moment, there are three head coaching jobs available from earlier in-season firings: the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears. Of course, more are expected to open up in the aftermath of the regular season, so let's take this time to look at some of the top candidates that'll be on the market.
15. Wes Phillips
Current position: Quarterbacks coach, Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold is playing so well that it might get Phillips hired as a head coach in the NFL. While Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell does have a heavy hand in the Minnesota offense, Phillips should get some of the credit for the Vikings making Darnold a high-level starter in the NFL who has them in playoff position. Phillips, the son of former NFL head coach Wade Phillips, also worked under Sean McVay as a tight ends coach from 2019-20, so he is a true blue blood when it comes to coaching pedigree. This season, Minnesota's offense ranks ninth in total points and fifth in passing yards.
14. Drew Petzing
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Arizona Cardinals
Petzing is in his second season as the Cardinals offensive coordinator and is an underrated candidate who shouldn't be overlooked this cycle. The 37-year-old comes from the Mike Zimmer coaching tree that has also produced two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, whom he also coached under before heading to Arizona. The Cardinals offense has been efficient under Petzing, ranking 11th in the league in total yards. It has found particular success on the ground, finishing second in the league in yards per attempt in 2023 and currently ranking second in that category again in 2024 entering Week 18.
13. Ejiro Evero
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers
Evero is an up-and-coming head coach who has already received interviews over the past few cycles. That's impressive in itself, given that he's not on a high-powered playoff team that can truly flash his talents like some of the others on this list. His stock may have cooled a touch with the performance of the Carolina defense this season, however, as it is 32nd in points allowed and against the run. Before that, Evero's defense was surprisingly a top-10 unit in total yards allowed in 2022 and 2023, so he has produced at a high level. While he may not be the hottest name this cycle, I would expect him to be involved in the interview process.
12. Todd Monken
Current position: Offensive coordinator: Baltimore Ravens
Monken interviewed for a number of head coaching positions last year, including the Chargers, Panthers and Falcons. Given that he has continued to lead the Ravens offense as one of the top units in the NFL, he should again garner interest across the league. In both seasons as Baltimore's offensive coordinator, Monken has led them to be a top-10 group in both points scored and total yards. This season, the Ravens are No. 1 in the league in total yards and third in points scored.
11. Kellen Moore
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles
Moore was a very popular name for a while, serving as the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, but the hype has died down in recent seasons. After a one-year stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, Moore has been working as the offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles this season. The former NFL quarterback has the unit firing on all cylinders. With Saquon Barkley leading the backfield, Moore's rushing attack is No. 1 in yards and No. 2 in touchdowns. Overall, the offense ranks sixth in total yards and seventh in points scored. If the Cowboys let go of Mike McCarthy after this season, Moore's name will be fascinating to follow with that specific opening in Dallas.
10. Jesse Minter
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers
Minter followed Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to the NFL to serve as his defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers. So far, the 41-year-old has orchestrated a top-notch defense that has helped place L.A. in playoff position. Entering Week 15, the Chargers defense is giving up the fewest points in the league and ranks as a top-10 club in both takeaways and on third down. It may be quick for him to jump from Michigan DC to Chargers DC to an NFL head coach, but he's passed those prior tests with flying colors, making it a possibility this year.
9. Liam Coen
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coen checks off the boxes that have oftentimes resulted in being hired as a head coach in the NFL. The 39-year-old comes from the offensive side of the ball and from the Sean McVay coaching tree, which ownership groups are desperate to tap into. Coen is in his first season as the OC for the Buccaneers and has run the unit wonderfully. Tampa Bay is a top-five offense in total yards and points scored, and Coen has continued the reclamation of Baker Mayfield as a playoff-caliber quarterback in the league. While a small sample size, Coen has impressed enough this season that we could very well see him land a head coaching gig.
8. Bobby Slowik
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Houston Texans
Slowik's name was much hotter last cycle after helping C.J. Stroud burst onto the scene as a rookie, but he should still get some looks as a possible head coach this year as well. Slowik comes from the ever-popular Shanahan coaching tree, initially breaking into the league as a defensive assistant under Mike Shanahan before joining Kyle Shanahan's staff with the San Francisco 49ers. Houston has dealt with injuries at the wide receiver position that have contributed to the underperforming offense. That said, Slowik's pedigree and coming from the offensive side of the ball should have him in the mix this cycle.
7. Vance Joseph
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Denver Broncos
It's underrated how wild it is that Joseph is putting together a strong résumé to once again be a head coach in the NFL while serving as the defensive coordinator on the team that fired him as head coach back in 2018. His reclamation in Denver has been a feel-good story that deserves more attention and should get him interviews this cycle. As the DC under Sean Payton, Joseph's Broncos are arguably the best defense in the NFL. Entering Week 18, Denver is giving up the fifth-fewest points allowed and fourth in total takeaways.
6. Kliff Kingsbury
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Washington Commanders
It came as a bit of a shock when Dan Quinn plucked Kingsbury and placed him back into relevancy as the Commanders offensive coordinator, but it was a move that has wholeheartedly paid off. Kingsbury has helped develop No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels into one of the most productive rookie quarterbacks of all time, and Washington is playoff bound. The ability to coach up an offense and develop a young quarterback are two massive pluses for Kingsbury if he looks to become a head coach again in the NFL. One team that could be fascinating to watch with him is the Bears, as he coached Caleb Williams at USC.
5. Joe Brady
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills
It feels like Brady has been on the cusp of being a hot head coaching candidate for quite a while. After coaching Joe Burrow and the 2019 national champion LSU Tigers, he joined Matt Rhule as the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator, but that failed endeavor set him back a bit. More recently, he's been leading the Bills offense and has helped Josh Allen's ascent to NFL MVP front-runner. Given teams' affinity for hiring offensive-minded head coaches, it won't be surprising to see Brady get interviews, especially if the Bills offense continues to light it up in the playoffs.
4. Aaron Glenn
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Detroit Lions
Ben Johnson takes a lot of the limelight when talking about future head coaches in the league, but let's not forget about Detroit's "other" coordinator in Glenn. He has been a key piece to the Lions' success in recent seasons and has been a hot head coaching name in his own right. Along with serving under Dan Campbell, Glenn has worked under Sean Payton in the past as the Saints defensive backs coach from 2016-20. As the DC for the Lions, Glenn has the defense playing as a top-10 unit in the league. It is eighth in the league in fewest points allowed and tied for fifth in takeaways. Glenn has also kept the defense afloat despite a key injury to star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, which shouldn't be overlooked.
3. Brian Flores
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Minnesota Vikings
It feels like Flores will get a second crack at being an NFL head coach in the near future, possibly as soon as this cycle. Over the past two seasons, Flores has helped the Vikings defense turn into one of the more feared units in the league. Entering Week 18, Minnesota is fourth in the league in fewest points allowed and tied for the third-most in total sacks. Flores was successful as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019-21 but didn't seem to jive with ownership, which was illegally tampering with Sean Payton. Flores was 24-25 as a head coach overall but 19-14 over his final two years.
2. Mike Vrabel
Current position: Coaching and personnel consultant, Cleveland Browns
It was a little puzzling when the Tennessee Titans decided to fire Vrabel after the 2023 season, even after the club went 6-11. During his tenure, the former linebacker has been widely regarded as one of the best in-game coaches in the league, as he consistently squeezed every ounce of talent out of his rosters. Vrabel reached the playoffs in three of his six seasons as head coach, which included a trip to the AFC Championship in 2019. He also won NFL Coach of the Year in 2021. This season, he's served as an overarching advisor to the Browns. This go around, he should be a very popular candidate and, in our estimation, the top option after Johnson.
1. Ben Johnson
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions
Even if Bill Belichick -- who is now in the college ranks as UNC's head coach -- were still on the board, Johnson was/is the top candidate on a lot of organizations' boards, if not all of them. The 38-year-old has been a hot candidate the past few cycles but ultimately decided against taking a head coaching job last year to remain with the Lions. Johnson has routinely had the Lions as a top offense in the NFL since being installed as coordinator in 2022, and this year is no different. Entering Week 18, the Detroit offense is first in points and second in total yards. It is also a top-five unit in passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. While he has a tremendous cast of weapons around him, Johnson has shown creativity that has manufactured points, endearing himself across the league as the clear top coach on the market.
