Catching up on NFL coaching openings
Usually by this point in the NFL year, almost all of the head coaching vacancies have dried up. This time, things are wildly different.
On the morning of Jan. 13, six head coaching spots are still open including the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos. While some jobs are reportedly close to being filled, some have just become available such as Denver.
Let’s take a look at where each one stands on Tuesday:
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta really likes Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Unfortunately, Bowles is doing a second interview with the Jets on Tuesday and might not get to the Falcons. Should Bowles fall through, Atlanta will be looking at a bevy of options including Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Of all the jobs, this is the most uncertain.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are trying desperately to close the deal with Gase on Tuesday. San Francisco officials are meeting with Gase in Denver, hoping to lock up a deal before the offensive guru has a chance to interview with John Elway for the Broncos’ head job. After firing Jim Harbaugh at the end of the season, the 49ers seem laser-focused on Gase coming in to help develop Colin Kaepernick and the offensive scheme.
New York Jets
New York is taking the first step in rebuilding the franchise, with multiple reports coming down that it will hire Mike Maccagnan as general manager. On Tuesday, Bowles is slated to interview with Maccagnan for his second tour with the team, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. Bowles and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are the top two choices in Gotham. With Bowles headed to Atlanta afterward for another interview with the Falcons, the Jets are under pressure to hire him on the spot if he is their man.
Chicago Bears
With general manager Ryan Pace is tow, the Bears are ready to make their move. Chicago needs a much better leader at the head coach spot after suffering through the Marc Trestman experience, and apparently is the frontrunner to land John Fox. Fox was terrific in Denver, with the Broncos going 38-10 and reaching a Super Bowl during his four years there. While with the Carolina Panthers, Fox went to Super Bowl XXXVII and won the NFC South twice. Fox is the most qualified candidate on the market, aside from perhaps Mike Shanahan.
Oakland Raiders
This seems the easiest race to handicap. Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is the overwhelming favorite to be the next head coach in Oakland, interviewing for the second time. Del Rio was a decent head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11, never winning the AFC South but making the postseason twice with a career record of 68-71. Considering Del Rio mostly had David Garrard and Byron Leftwich at quarterback and played in a division with Steve McNair and Peyton Manning, the resume isn’t bad.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are in a tough spot. With the uncertain status of Peyton Manning, it is hard to bring in an accomplished coach. Could Shanahan or Gary Kubiak make a return to the Mile High City? Does Gase stay on board and take the promotion to head coach? At this point, everything is speculation. Elway has shown he can bring in the big fish, so don’t sleep on the possibility of a big-name candidate. Denver is also known to be interested in Quinn, a defensive mind for a team long-known as an offensive juggernaut.
