In the NFL, it's not uncommon for former players to resurface as coaches. In 2024, in fact, four of the league's head coaches aren't just ex-players, but once suited up for the very franchises they now run:
- Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions)
- DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)
- Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots)
- Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers)
It got us thinking: Which former NFL players could be next to oversee one of their old teams? Here are some 2025 possibilities for six different jobs, which could soon be open if they aren't already:
Chicago Bears
- Brian Griese (49ers quarterbacks coach): The former Pro Bowler spent two years as a Bears backup from 2006-2007. Since 2022, he's worked as one of Kyle Shanahan's top assistants, directly assisting in the development of Brock Purdy for back-to-back NFC title contenders.
- Josh McCown (Vikings quarterbacks coach): The 45-year-old McCown spent three seasons with Chicago from 2011-2013. A well-liked assistant who once drew head coaching interest from the Houston Texans, he's spent 2024 under Kevin O'Connell, helping Sam Darnold to a 5-0 start.
Dallas Cowboys
- Deion Sanders (Colorado head coach): One of the highest-profile coaches in all of sports, the outspoken Sanders was a glitzy ballhawk and return man for the Cowboys from 1995-1999. He's gone 38-16, with two conference titles, as the head man at Jackson State, and now Colorado, since 2022.
- Kellen Moore (Eagles offensive coordinator): A backup quarterback behind Tony Romo in Dallas from 2012-2014, Moore returned to the Cowboys as an assistant and eventual offensive coordinator from 2018-2022. He's helped stabilize the rival Eagles as Jalen Hurts' top mentor this year.
- Aaron Glenn (Lions defensive coordinator): The former longtime cornerback spent two seasons as a starter in Dallas from 2005-2006. He's now in his fourth season running Detroit's defense, helping the Lions advance to the NFC championship in 2023, then challenge for another title bid this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Keenan McCardell (Vikings wide receivers coach): Ranked No. 2 on the Jaguars' all-time receiving leaderboard, he posted four 1,000-yard seasons during a six-year run with the club from 1996-2001. Back with the team as an assistant coach from 2017-2020, he's now a top mentor to Justin Jefferson.
- Aaron Glenn (Lions defensive coordinator): The former Pro Bowler spent his penultimate NFL season in Jacksonville, helping the Jaguars reach the playoffs. His defensive touch could be appealing to a Jags club that's recently cycled through coordinators on that side of the ball.
- Mark Brunell (Lions quarterbacks coach): The former 19-year NFL veteran spent the majority of his career in Jacksonville, leading four playoff runs. He went 55-32-1 running a private school's football program in the city, and has worked as Detroit's quarterbacks coach since the 2021 season.
- Nick Sorensen (49ers defensive coordinator): A special teams standout for the Jaguars from 2003-2006, he also served as the team's special teams coordinator in 2021. He moved to the defensive side with the 49ers in 2022, and took over as Kyle Shanahan's defensive coordinator this year.
New Orleans Saints
- Mark Brunell (Lions quarterbacks coach): The former Pro Bowl quarterback spent two seasons as Drew Brees' backup in New Orleans from 2008-2009. After a long run as a head coach for a private college, he joined Dan Campbell's staff in Detroit, and still serves as Jared Goff's position coach.
- Aaron Glenn (Lions defensive coordinator): The former cornerback spent his final NFL season in New Orleans in 2008, then returned to the city as Sean Payton's defensive backs coach from 2016-2020, helping the club to four playoff runs. He's overseen Detroit's defense since 2021.
- Darryl Tapp (Commanders defensive line coach): He spent parts of two seasons as a defensive end for the Saints from 2016-2017. An assistant coach for the 49ers during a span in which San Francisco's front powered three straight NFC title game appearances, he moved to Washington this year.
New York Giants
- Davis Webb (Broncos quarterbacks coach): A third-round draft pick of the Giants in 2017, Webb returned for an emergency start at quarterback in 2022. The Buffalo Bills reportedly tried to hire him as an offensive assistant before Sean Payton made him Denver's quarterbacks coach this year.
- Kelvin Sheppard (Lions linebackers coach): Appearing in more than 100 games as a linebacker, Sheppard spent the 2016 season with the Giants, helping lead New York to the playoffs. He's on his fourth season as a Lions assistant under Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn.
New York Jets
- Josh McCown (Vikings quarterbacks coach): The former journeyman quarterback was an unexpected marker of stability during two seasons as a Jets backup and spot starter from 2017-2018. He's since grown a reputation as an up-and-coming offensive mind in two stops as an assistant.
- Aaron Glenn (Lions defensive coordinator): The former Pro Bowl defensive back began his career with the Jets, arriving as a first-round draft pick in 1994 and leaving ranked in the team's top five all-time for interceptions. He's also a member of the Jets' honorary All-Time Four Decade Team.
- Mark Brunell (Lions quarterbacks coach): The former Pro Bowl quarterback finished his long NFL career in New York, serving as a Jets backup from 2010-2011.
