2024 NFL coach hiring predictions, candidates for open jobs - ESPN

A week and a half into the 2024 NFL offseason coaching cycle, seven head coach jobs remain open. In fact, the only one that has been filled is in New England, where Jerod Mayo was appointed to the unenviable task of succeeding Bill Belichick.

It has been a wild cycle already, with longtime, successful coaches such as Belichick, Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel being let go. And the chatter swirling around in places like Pittsburgh, Dallas and Philadelphia make it sound as though the high-level turnover isn't done.

For now, though, we want to stay focused on the jobs that are currently open. And with a couple of weeks' worth of calls, texts and conversations with people around the league in the books — and recognizing that all of these situations are still fluid — we wanted to go on record with some predictions for how these hirings are going to turn out. Let's pick some landing spots for the top coach candidates, starting with Atlanta.

Jump to a opening:
ATL | CAR | LV | LAC
SEA | TEN | WSH

Former coach: Arthur Smith, fired hours after the end of the regular season, his third season with the team

Known candidates: Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Bengals OC Brian Callahan, Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, Ravens DC Mike Macdonald, Ravens DL coach Anthony Weaver, 49ers DC Steve Wilks, Lions DC Aaron Glenn, Lions OC Ben Johnson, Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce

My prediction for the next Falcons coach: Bill Belichick. I think he is the clear favorite here unless another job opens that has a quarterback already in place and offers him a chance to win those 15 games he needs to pass Don Shula atop the all-time list in short order — perhaps Dallas. Atlanta has already interviewed Belichick.

If Belichick doesn't end up in Atlanta,