The 2023 NFL regular season will conclude this weekend. Black Monday will mark its merciful arrival shortly after the complete playoff field is officially set. Three teams—Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Carolina Panthers, made in-season coaching changes. Several more will follow suit. We've identified six franchises that should have a new head coach entering the 2024 campaign.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers finally admitted defeat on Brandon Staley, who didn't turn out to be the coaching prodigy they expected him to be. Interim head coach Giff Smith has done an admirable job finishing out the season, but nothing indicates Smith possesses a realistic opportunity to retain the role on a full-time basis. The presence of franchise quarterback Justin Herbert could make the Chargers job the most desirable of any opening this offseason.
The Chargers will almost certainly appoint an offensive-minded head coach. First, there's the failure of the defensive-minded Staley to consider. Second, maximizing Herbert's talent will be a point of emphasis for the next leader. Will Chargers owner Dean Spanos open the checkbook to attract Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh or Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson? Time will tell.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Panthers were the first team to make an in-season change. Meddling owner Dave Tepper showed zero hesitation to relieve first-year head coach Frank Reich of his duties just 11 games into his tenure. Interim head coach Chris Tabor is simply serving as a placeholder until Tepper can conduct a more aggressive search for Carolina's next coach.
Working for the hot-tempered Tepper may be viewed as problematic for some, but Tepper has always shown a willingness to pay top dollar for his desired targets. Reich's offense was viewed as a poor fit for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Ensuring Young is more comfortable with the Panthers' next coach and offense may take center stage throughout Tepper's search.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The relationship between Bill Belichick and the Patriots has run its course. A PR-friendly "mutual parting of ways" appears to be the likeliest outcome following Week 18's conclusion. Belichick is currently concluding his 24th campaign as the Patriots' head coach. Belichick won't make it to a 25th year.
There's no denying Belichick's legacy as a six-time Super Bowl winner in New England, but life post-Tom Brady has been tough sledding. Belichick the general manager has gotten Belichick the coach in trouble. The Patriots should have a top-five selection in the 2024 NFL Draft and it doesn't appear Belichick will be around to make the pick.
ATLANTA FALCONS
I've sternly defended Arthur Smith throughout his tenure as the Falcons' head coach, but the end appears near. Unless Smith miraculously wins the NFC South in Week 18—which would require a victory over the New Orleans Saints paired with a Carolina Panthers win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—it's tough to see Smith surviving in Atlanta. No matter the outcome, Smith will clinch his third consecutive losing season this weekend. The grace period has expired.
Smith has flip-flopped between quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke all season long. Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson, two top-10 draft selections, haven't met their performance ceiling in Smith's scheme. Smith should be elsewhere in 2024.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The worst-kept secret in professional football is that the Commanders will relieve Ron Rivera of his duties early next week. The well-liked Rivera is wrapping up his fourth campaign in Washington. The Commanders somehow captured the division title at 7-9 in Rivera's first season (2020), but have since finished no higher than third. Rivera attempted to breathe life into his flailing offense by bringing Eric Bieniemy on board. Although Bieniemy has had a positive impact, the Commanders appear primed to finish 5-13.
The Commanders are now operating under the Josh Harris-led ownership group. Harris will likely prefer to appoint his own general manager and head coach. Harris is expected to pursue a splash hire. Could Harbaugh or Belichick be Washington-bound?
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The best word to describe Saints head coach Dennis Allen is "unspectacular." Nearly two completed years into his tenure, what Allen does well remains unclear. Allen had to fill the sizable void left behind by Sean Payton. Allen deserved patience in 2022, but 2023 has been beyond troublesome.
The Saints went out this past offseason and lured Derek Carr by signing him to a four-year contract worth $150 million. Allen presumably hand-picked Carr after previously coaching him in 2014. The fit between Allen and Carr has left plenty to be desired. The 8-8 Saints shouldn't delay the inevitable. Allen hasn't met expectations.
