The New Orleans Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen on Monday. It became the second opening of the upcoming coaching cycle after the New York Jets relieved Robert Saleh of his duties earlier this season. We're officially past the midway point of the 2024 NFL season and it’s a stark reminder that Black Monday is fast approaching.
We've identified five potential offseason head coaching openings.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy entered the 2024 campaign on the hot seat. Thus far, he's failed to meet Jerry Jones' annually high expectations. The disappointing Cowboys are 3-5, well behind the Washington Commanders (7-2) and Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in the NFC East. They also just lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott to a multi-week injury.
McCarthy's firing feels like a foregone conclusion. Knowing Jones, he'll attempt to land the biggest fish on the coaching market. Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel, and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be targets. Opening the checkbook won't be an issue.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The other foregone conclusion that isn't an official opening yet is the Jacksonville Jaguars. They've fallen incredibly far since a surprising 2022 season in their first year under Doug Pederson—a 9-8 success and AFC South division title. They followed that up with another 9-8 campaign in 2023 when expectations were higher, missing the playoffs altogether this time.
And now the bottom has truly fallen out. The Jaguars are an NFL-worst 2-7. Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence has seriously regressed since signing a five-year, $275 million extension. Jacksonville's inevitable search will surround finding the right coach to get Lawrence back on track.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn't deserve to lose his job. It was ownership that decided to saddle Stefanski with the controversial Deshaun Watson contract. Now that it's backfired miserably, Stefanski may be Cleveland's fall guy. It's the unfortunate reality of an ugly business. Ownership isn’t accountable.
The next head coach may have to navigate the Watson ugliness because his contract is immovable. The Browns currently own the No. 5 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and are prime candidates to draft either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. An opportunity to hand-select the next QB could appeal to potential interviewees, even if it includes managing Watson as a backup.
New York Jets
Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is 1-3 since replacing Saleh. Thursday's primetime win over the Houston Texans salvaged their season for now, but it's difficult to envision Ulbrich doing enough to earn the role full-time. The Jets will conduct a proper search in the offseason.
Various factors will dictate the Jets' offseason. Will Aaron Rodgers return at quarterback for another season? Is general manager Joe Douglas safe? After all, Douglas aggressively built a roster that's falling significantly short of expectations. Owner Woody Johnson is impatient and could choose to fire the reset button this summer.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints project as the least attractive opening. Struggling quarterback Derek Carr possesses a cap charge of $51.4 million next season, according to Spotrac. The Saints could release Carr and inherit a manageable $21.4 million in dead money if it's a post-June designation. General manager Mickey Loomis has created a financial mess that includes his team being a league-worst $61.5 million over the cap this offseason.
Carr isn't their only messy contract. Marshon Lattimore ($31.4 million), Cameron Jordan ($20 million), Ryan Ramczyk ($29 million), and Taysom Hill ($17.9 million) have bloated deals due to either bad negotiating or constant restructures, delaying the inevitable. The Saints desperately need to trade some of these aging players or need someone like Jordan and/or Hill to retire.
