The 2024 NFL common season is over, and 4 groups have fired their head coaches.
The Jets made the primary change by parting methods with Robert Saleh in early October. The Saints waited till after Week 9, following their seventh straight loss, to fireside Dennis Allen. The Bears moved on from Matt Eberflus after dropping to the Lions on Thanksgiving. And the Patriots made the latest change, firing Jerod Mayo after their Week 18 win over the Payments.
With 4 open jobs, here is the whole lot it’s good to know in regards to the newest NFL head coach motion, together with professionals and cons for every gig.
Leap to a gap:Patriots | Bears | Saints | Jets
Head coach openings
Former coach: Jerod Mayo (fired Jan. 5)Report with Patriots: 4-13 over one season
What occurred: The Patriots have fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season. They completed 4-13 in Mayo’s lone season as coach, together with Week 18’s 23-16 victory over the Payments that dropped New England from choosing No. 1 within the 2025 draft to No. 4. Mayo, a former linebacker for the Patriots, was employed in January 2024 to exchange legendary coach Invoice Belichick, who gained six Tremendous Bowl titles with the franchise.
Professionals of the New England job: Drake Maye, the No. 3 decide within the 2024 draft, has proven indicators that he might be a franchise quarterback. The Patriots have $130 million in wage cap area in 2025, and so they at present personal 9 draft picks (4 are inside the first three rounds). There may be additionally a robust, dedicated possession with Robert and Jonathan Kraft. A brand new football-specific facility is even below building, which is scheduled to open within the spring of 2026 and may assist modernize the workforce’s operations.
Cons of the New England job: The roster has a variety of holes, significantly at offensive line, vast receiver and the entrance seven of the protection. There may be additionally the query of how possession plans to construction issues in the case of alignment between the top coach and personnel division. Presently, the Pats’ personnel division is led by govt vice chairman of participant personnel Eliot Wolf. — Mike Reiss
Former coach: Matt Eberflus (fired Nov. 29)Report with Bears: 14-32 over three seasons
What occurred: The Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus someday after a 23-20 loss to the Lions that ended with Chicago falling sufferer to clock mismanagement. Eberflus held a information convention by way of Zoom, saying he was assured he could be teaching the Bears the next week, however hours later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Eberflus was fired and that interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown would take over on an interim foundation. Eberflus’ tenure ended amid a six-game dropping streak that featured an array of final second-losses.
What to know for the NFL playoffs
• First take a look at the 14-team playoff fieldBracket, schedule | Tremendous Bowl LIX
Professionals of the Chicago job: Any coach — and particularly one with an offensive background who would get to put in his system and mould quarterback Caleb Williams right into a franchise star — will probably be drawn to the Bears’ opening. Chicago has the fifth-most wage cap area in 2025 ($82 million) and a roster with many gifted gamers of their primes. Eberflus received the Bears by means of an arduous rebuild, and the workforce’s subsequent coach will probably be in higher place to capitalize on that and switch Chicago right into a professional contender.
Cons of the Chicago job: The NFC North is loaded, so the Bears’ path to a division title will not be simple. Chicago’s subsequent coach will probably be paired with a quarterback drafted by another person, so there could be an adjustment interval. And whereas choices by fired Bears coaches (Eberflus and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron) performed a giant function within the workforce’s demise in 2024, holes in locations such because the offensive line would possibly take longer than a season to repair. — Courtney Cronin
Former coach: Dennis Allen (fired Nov. 4)Report with Saints: 18-25 over three seasons
What occurred: The Saints fired Allen after dropping their seventh straight recreation. Particular groups coordinator Darren Rizzi was named the interim coach, and he addressed the media by noting it was “a troublesome day,” citing Allen as a detailed pal.
That is the primary midseason firing for the Saints for the reason that late Tom Benson bought the workforce in 1985. The franchise’s final in-season firing occurred when Dick Nolan was ousted after an 0-12 begin to his third season in 1980. The workforce additionally made an in-season change in 1996 when Jim Mora resigned after a 2-6 begin, and New Orleans then went 1-7 below Rick Venturi.
Professionals of the New Orleans job: New Orleans has a secure entrance workplace with one of many longest-tenured normal managers within the league in Mickey Loomis. The Saints have proven an inclination to worth continuity — Sean Payton stayed in New Orleans for 15 years, and the franchise moved on from Allen (who had an extended relationship with the workforce) solely after an extended string of losses. Meaning it’s going to doubtless be affected person with the subsequent coach as properly.
Cons of the New Orleans job: The Saints have wage cap points difficult by their technique of pushing again cap hits so as to “win now.” Meaning there will not be some huge cash to work with in free company in 2025, and the subsequent coach won’t have the ability to make many modifications to the roster immediately. That would complicate issues if Derek Carr is not the popular quarterback. — Katherine Terrell
Former coach: Robert Saleh (fired Oct. 8)Report with Jets: 20-36 over 4 seasons
What occurred: Upset by the workforce’s 2-3 begin, Jets proprietor Woody Johnson made a shocking and unprecedented transfer in firing Saleh and naming defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich because the interim head coach.
What to know for the 2025 NFL draft
• Early mock drafts: Yates | Miller | Reid• Rankings: Kiper | Reid | Yates | Miller• Large questions | QB Board | Pos. ranks• Decide order | Scouting evals | Extra
Johnson, along with his first in-season teaching change in 25 years of possession, stated he consulted with normal supervisor Joe Douglas however known as it “my determination and mine alone.” Woody Johnson and his brother, Christopher Johnson, the vice chairman, broke the information to Saleh in his workplace on the workforce facility.
Saleh, who promised a number of championships when he was employed in 2021, completed with a 20-36 document and 0 playoff appearances. The Jets have a 13-year playoff absence, the longest lively drought within the NFL, however they started the season with Tremendous Bowl expectations, largely due to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Professionals of the New York job: The roster contains promising younger gamers, most notably vast receiver Garrett Wilson, cornerback Sauce Gardner and working again Breece Corridor. Defensive deal with Quinnen Williams can also be nonetheless considered one of many higher inside linemen. After cuts, the workforce ought to have about $80 million in cap room. It additionally has eight draft picks, together with two doubtless top-40 choices.
Cons of the New York job: There’d be no QB1 on the roster if Rodgers is gone. The Jets have Tyrod Taylor, however he is a bridge quarterback at greatest. Woody Johnson is understood for meddling in personnel issues, which induced points with the earlier regime. There’s additionally the dropping tradition; it is actual and has swallowed up each coach since Invoice Parcells (1997-99). — Wealthy Cimini
