NFL head-coach openings buzz: Rumors, candidates, interviews - ESPN

The NFL playoffs are finally here, which brings interesting matchups and storylines on the road to Super Bowl LVIII. But what about the 18 teams that didn't make the postseason field? They've entered the 2024 offseason, trying to get back on track to take a run at next season's title.

With six of those eliminated franchises looking for new coaches — including Tennessee, which fired Mike Vrabel on Tuesday — league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are focusing below on candidates who could make sense for the Titans, Commanders, Falcons, Chargers, Raiders and Panthers. Which direction might those teams go? Could more openings happen soon? And what's going on with the Patriots? It's all here, as Dan and Jeremy empty their notebooks with everything they've heard.

Jump to an intriguing team:
Chargers | Commanders
Falcons | Panthers
Patriots | Raiders | Titans
More: Latest buzz, notes

Graziano: I have been told they will have strong interest in Bill Belichick if, as most seem to expect, he and the Patriots part ways. I've also been told people close to Belichick believe it would be a good fit for him. It's a strong roster that, yes, needs to figure out the quarterback position. It's in a relatively calm market where he could be all about the football. And he'd have a team owner who doesn't meddle in day-to-day affairs. Interesting idea, should Belichick and the Patriots split here in the next couple of days.

Fowler: Dan, that's the sense I get with Belichick, too. Heard some of those Falcons rumblings and didn't quite buy them at first, but there appears to be some traction. I'm also not discounting Atlanta getting involved with Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, though I don't think that has happened to this point. This is a quality