The regular season ends on Sunday and there are already vacancies for three head coaches and six general managers.
According to the rule of the league, virtually all interviews have been conducted so far. That changes Monday when any head coach or GM candidate whose team is out of the playoffs or not currently employed by an NFL team is allowed to maintain in person, subject to new COVID-19 rules on masks, social distance, etc. Head coach and GM candidates whose teams are still playing are subject to the usual time constraints for first interviews.
In many cases, the GM searches are now ahead of the head coach searches. A flurry of interview slips is expected to begin Sunday afternoon, with Zoom interviews starting Monday.
Here’s a look at where things stand, according to sources:
Atlanta Falcons (HC and GM): The Falcons interviewed interim head coach Raheem Morris on Friday for the full-time job and are expected to begin a wide-ranging search on Monday. Among the candidates Atlanta is investigating are Todd Bowles, the Bucs ‘defense coordinator, who was a finalist last time, as well as the Titans’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, and Rams DC’s Brandon Staley.
Former Texans GM Rick Smith is considered a strong candidate for the GM position and has a relationship with President and CEO Rich McKay from their days on the competition committee. However, the Hawks are also expected to request interviews with several first candidates, including Colts director of reconnaissance Morocco Brown, Saints VP / assistant general of proprietary Terry Fontenot, Rams reconnaissance director Brad Holmes, Bears assistant director of player staff. Champ Kelly, George Vikings Assistant, George Paton, and Joe Schoen, GM Assistant. With McKay and fellow former GMs Ruston Webster and Phil Emery in the staff, there would be a support system to help a younger manager grow in the position.
Carolina Panthers (GM): Coach Matt Rhule will have a huge impact on the process, and it will come as no surprise if they hire someone who commits him, as Pat Stewart introduced last year as director of player personnel. The Panthers are interviewing former GM giant Jerry Reese, who worked with Rhule in New York in 2012. They are also expected to interview Saints VP / Assistant GM from University staff Jeff Ireland and Colts Assistant Ed Dodds. Other names to look at include 49ers Vice President of Staff Adam Peters – who played for Rhule at UCLA in 2001 – as well as the Seahawks VP of football operations Scott Fitterer and Joe Schoen of Buffalo.
Detroit Lions (HC and GM): They have already interviewed seven GM candidates – including former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, who remains in the fray – and they are expected to do a few more interviews. They are planning a potential run at John Schneider, GM of the Seahawks, while others are of interest, Edy Dodds, Fitterer, Terry Fontenot, Brad Holmes, Steelers VP of the football administration Omar Khan, Cowboys VP of the player staff Will McClay, George Paton and Patriots front office consultant Eliot Wolf.
The Lions also quietly began their head-to-head coaching search by interviewing former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. 49ers DC Robert Saleh, a Dearborn native, is considered a strong candidate for the head coaching position. But the Lions are also expected to do a wide-ranging search for the position, bringing in as many as ten interview slips for coaching candidates for the job, with Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy, Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell and Titans. OC Arthur Smith among the potential targets. It would come as no surprise if the Lions at least investigate college head coaches like Pat Fitzgerald, Northwest. Interim coach Darrell Bevell is also expected to be interviewed for the full-time job.
Houston Texans (HC and GM): When Bill O’Brien was sacked, the focus immediately shifted to Eric Bienemy, and he was expected to be questioned. They have already interviewed former Lions coach Jim Caldwell and Marvin Lewis. Other coaches to look at include Panthers OC Joe Brady, Ryan Day, Ohio Day, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Patriots ILB coach Jerod Mayo, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Tennessee’s Arthur Smith. But the Texans’ plan is to hire the GM first. They interviewed their director of staff, Matt Bazirgan, and Louis Riddick, an ESPN analyst, and they are expected to conduct at least a few more interviews, including Seahawks CEO Alonzo Highsmith. Other names of interest include: Malik Boyd, director of bill, of Bill, director of player staff of the Patriots Nick Caserio, director of Ravens, Scott Cohen, director of Indy, Ed Dodds of Indy, Trent Kirchner, VP of Seahawks of Trent Kirchner, and Will McClay of Dallas.
Jacksonville Jaguars (GM): The consensus top task is also surrounded by the most enigmatic, and it may depend on whether the Jaguars are a head coach who can choose his own staff member. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has drawn up a staff, saying he expects to land in Jacksonville. If not Meyer, the Jaguars could pursue his successor to the Buckeyes, Ryan Day. No final decision has been made on current coach Doug Marrone, who has another year left, but they are likely to separate, assuming Jacksonville can meet one of his targets. The Jaguars have already conducted two interviews for the GM work in Jerry Reese and Louis Riddick. Depending on who the coach is, internal candidate Trent Baalke could also be considered.
Washington Football Team (GM): Washington could beat the NFC East by beating the Eagles Sunday night, and coach Ron Rivera said the GM search will wait until after the season. The strong sense in league circles is former Panthers GM Marty Hurney – who was sacked last month and still lives with Rivera from their days in Carolina – is a top candidate. Other names are expected to be considered, including the Titans VP of player staff Ryan Cowden, the 49ers Senior Personnel Management Martin Mayhew, Buffalo’s Joe Schoen and Rick Smith. If Kyle Smith – the main staff since Bruce Allen’s departure – is on his way elsewhere, Washington could add another veteran staff like Jimmy Raye III.
The Bengals are expected to retain coach Zac Taylor, although he is likely to have some staff changes. … The former Falcons coach, Dan Quinn, wants to coach somewhere in 2021, perhaps as defense coordinator. … Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell should join Dan Mullen, Florida, Matt Campbell and Iowa State, and PJ Fleck, Minnesota, among other college coaches who receive interest from the NFL. … Saints Secondary Coach Aaron Glenn must receive at least one interview. … Chiefs Assistant Director of Player Staff Ryan Poles is a choice to get interviewed.
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