While 14 teams are currently preparing for a run at the Lombardi Trophy, the NFL coaching search is well underway for a number of teams on the other end of the spectrum.
Interview requests have already been reported from a handful of teams in need of a new head coach, with a few names popping up consistently.
Below is a look at some of the latest rumours and notes as the NFL coaching carousel commences:
Dan Quinn a popular man
Dallas Cowboys defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn seems to be one of the most popular candidates to take over one of the vacant coaching jobs.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Quinn is very in demand and has interview requests from the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers.
Under Quinn, the Dallas defence has been one of the top units since he took over in 2021. This season, the Cowboys are fifth in the league in terms of points allowed, giving up just over 18 per game.
Pelissero reported that Quinn was hesitant to take a head coaching job last off-season, but may be “a little closer to taking one this time around.”
If Quinn is hired, it would be his second stint as an NFL head coach. The 53-year-old coach was the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach from 2015-2020 and led the team to one Super Bowl appearance.
Rams’ Morris, Lions’ Johnson highly requested
The two men who will be going head-to-head in one of the NFC’s wild-card games this weekend are also attracting plenty of interest.
Los Angeles Rams defensive co-ordinator Raheem Morris and Detroit Lions offensive co-ordinator Ben Johnson also have three requests.
According to Pelissero, both co-ordinators also have requests from the Commanders, Panthers and Chargers. Both Morris and Johnson were also popular candidates in last year’s coaching search.
So while the loser of Sunday’s head-to-head matchup won’t have a chance to win a Super Bowl, they will at least get an early jump on the head coaching search.
Belichick’s meetings with Patriots underway
Arguably the greatest NFL head coach of all time still has a clouded future.
Pelissero reports that Bill Belichick’s meetings with New England Patriots ownership about his future are underway.
His future with his long-time team is very much in the air, and some teams are reportedly waiting to swoop in should he and the Patriots part ways.
On Monday, NFL insider Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported that the Panthers are contemplating a plan to try to hire the coaching legend. Anderson also said the Falcons want to see if Belichick is a good fit.
Multiple teams inquiring about Jim Harbaugh
Fresh off an NCAA championship, Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is going to be a very popular name in the head coaching search.
According to Pelissero, multiple teams have already been making calls about Harbaugh and the former head coach of the San Francicso 49ers has already “examined the potential openings.”
Pelissero says the Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders as two teams who Harbaugh could seriously consider.
