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The 2024 NFL regular season is in the books, and soon all eyes will be on the 14 teams heading to the playoffs, beginning with this upcoming weekend’s wild-card round. Before then, the teams on the outside looking will likely be making headlines.
Last season, nearly a quarter of the NFL’s franchises had head coaching turnover. What does 2025 hold for teams that are looking for a fresh start, besides their favorable draft position? Here’s a look at the notable coaching landscape:
Las Vegas Raiders: The team, notably Tom Brady, has reached out to Bill Belichick recently, according to an NFL Network report on Wednesday. The Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after one full season.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys denied the Chicago Bears’ request to interview Mike McCarthy, according to ESPN. McCarthy is under contract with the Cowboys through Tuesday.
Tennessee Titans: While general manager Ran Carthon is out, head coach Brian Callahan will remain.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jags owner Shad Khan released a statement Monday announcing the firing of Doug Pederson, a move that had been expected since the middle of the season. The 4-13 Jaguars started 2024 with a four-game losing streak, then lost five straight games from Week 8 through 13 while QB Trevor Lawrence had another injury-filled season. While Pederson has been fired, general manager Trent Baalke will remain in place.
New England Patriots: The Patriots now need a new head coach after firing Jerod Mayo right after their Week 18 victory over the Bills, which meant they lost out on the No. 1 overall pick. With Drake Maye in place, it’s an attractive opening, as much as the rest of the roster needs work. Team owner Robert Kraft will presumably have more patience with the next hire than Mayo, a former Patriots player who lasted just one season replacing Bill Belichick.
New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen was fired on Nov. 4 after a seventh straight loss that evaporated a strong 2-0 start. Allen went 18-25 in three seasons in New Orleans and failed to make the postseason. Darren Rizzi finished the 2024 campaign 5-12. Whoever takes the reins faces a rebuild amid the Saints’ usual salary-cap headaches and uncertainty at the QB position.
New York Jets: This is one of the messier positions in the league as the franchise is also looking for a general manager. The club fired head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8 after starting 2-3 and GM Joe Douglas was dismissed six weeks later. While the team has begun interviews, it’s unclear whether QB Aaron Rodgers will be part of the new regime. Mike Vrabel reportedly interviewed for the job last week, along with Ron Rivera. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick interviewed for the GM position.
Chicago Bears: The Bears made history by firing their head coach in-season for the first time, with Thomas Brown taking over as the team was amid a 10-game losing streak that ended with a win over the Packers in the season finale. Whoever replaces Matt Eberflus will be charged primarily with getting No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams on track after a rocky rookie season.
Here’s a full list of interview candidates for each team.
As for the teams that will turn their attention to playoff preparation over the next two weeks, here’s a look at next weekend’s matchups.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports as the NFL turns the page from the regular season to the playoffs.
Live52 updates
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Jalen Hurts ‘looked sharp’ in return to practice
Jalen Hurts practiced with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday for the first time since he went down with a concussion against the Washington Commanders last month.
Hurts, who practiced in a limited capacity, has been working his way through the league’s concussion protocols ever since.
“He looked sharp today,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said, via ESPN. “It was awesome to have him back. He came back with high energy.”
The Eagles will host the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the playoffs this weekend. Hurts’ status is still unclear, but the Eagles are optimistic that he will be able to play.
Jalen Hurts’ status is still unclear for this weekend’s game against the Packers, but the Eagles are optimistic that he will be able to play. (AP/Nick Wass) -
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49ers promote Klay Kubiak to OC
#49ers plan to promote Klay Kubiak to offensive coordinator. Kyle Shanahan will continue to be the play caller but Kubiak will add the title of OC, per Shanahan.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 8, 2025
Passing game specialist Klay Kubiak shares a word with QB Brock Purdy in the locker room before facing the Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium in October. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) -
Report: Bill Belichick isn’t interested in NFL return
Perhaps college life suits Bill Belichick. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images) Bill Belichick appears to understand the assignment in the college game: Always. Be. Crootin’.
The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that the North Carolina head coach isn’t interested in returning to the NFL, a response to an NFL Network’s report that teams have reached out to Belichick about coaching in the pros again.
Bill Belichick has no plans to return to the NFL, per sources.
I’m told his sole focus is on coaching and recruiting for North Carolina, as he continues building the Tar Heels’ future. He’s recruiting today in New Jersey.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 8, 2025
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Report: NFL teams are reaching out to Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick might be a hot name in the NFL coaching carousel. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) We may be about to find out just how committed Bill Belichick is to coaching North Carolina in 2025.
According to the NFL Network, “multiple” NFL teams have approached Belichick about their coaching vacancies. And one of those teams is the Las Vegas Raiders, where Tom Brady is a minority owner.
But Brady has been in touch with Belichick recently as the Raiders weighed the future of head coach Antonio Pierce, who was fired on Tuesday after going 4-13 in his lone season as the full-time head coach. Brady and Belichick won six Super Bowls together with the Patriots, and sources say Brady believes the situation in Las Vegas requires a coach of Belichick’s expertise and stature to establish a sustainable winning program.
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Bears reportedly plan to interview Pete Carroll for head coach vacancy
Despite candidates like Mike McCarthy being off the table, the Chicago Bears are interviewing a wide range of potential head coaches. Reportedly among those is former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, with the Bears planning to interview the Super Bowl-winning coach on Thursday, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Bears plan to interview former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll for their vacant head coach job Thursday, sources tell me and @JFowlerESPN
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 8, 2025
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Dallas Cowboys reportedly deny permission for Chicago Bears to interview Mike McCarthy
One day after requesting permission to interview Mike McCarthy, the Bears have reportedly gotten their answer from the Cowboys: a firm no, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
ESPN Source: The Dallas Cowboys denied permission to the Chicago Bears to interview their head coach Mike McCarthy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2025
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