NFL Coaching Vacancies 2025: Tracking Rumors & Interviews for 6 Openings

The regular season concluded on Sunday, Jan. 5, and the annual coaching carousel is in full swing.

We're ranking the NFL's six coaching vacancies by job appeal ahead of the 2025 season by considering factors such as draft position, cap space, and ownership and general management.

NFL coaching vacancies by job appeal

Job appeal ranked on a 1-to-5-star scale.

Cap space info via as of January 8.

Patriots coaching pitch: Drake Maye's the real deal

• Top 2025 NFL Draft pick: 4
• Cap space: $123.9 million (1)
• Owner/general manager: Robert Kraft/Eliot Wolf
• Quarterback: Drake Maye
• Last playoff appearance: 2021

Interviews: Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton | Rumored candidates: Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson

The Patriots went 8-26 over the past two seasons and moved on from Jerod Mayo after a single campaign. But there's a lot to like about a team equipped with Drake Maye and the most cap space in the NFL entering the offseason.

Though there are glaring holes throughout the roster (offensive line, wide receiver, running back, etc.), nearly $125 million in cap space can do a lot when a quarterback isn't a concern.

It would've been nice (and may have saved Mayo's job) if New England had lost its season finale against the Buffalo Bills' backups, but the Pats should have their choice of non-quarterbacks at the top of the draft. Wide receivers Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan are top candidates in early mock drafts.

After satisfying the Rooney Rule, this job should be filled pretty quickly with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel reportedly the No. 1 target.

Bears coaching pitch: Caleb Williams showed potential

• Top 2025 NFL Draft pick: 10
• Cap space: $80.1 million (5)
• Owner/general manager: Virginia Halas McCaskey/Ryan Poles
• Quarterback: Caleb Williams
• Last playoff appearance: 2020

Interviews: Pete Carroll, Mike Kafka, Mike Vrabel | Rumored candidates: Joe Brady, Brian Flores, Arthur Smith 

The Bears reloaded their offense ahead of Caleb Williams' rookie season and paired him with wide receiver Rome Odunze with top-10 picks. It didn't play out as planned with Chicago averaging just 18.2 points per game, but skill positions shouldn't be a concern with the No. 10 pick and more than $80 million in cap space.

Those resources can instead be used on an offensive line that allowed Williams to be sacked a league-worst 68 times, and a defense that coughed up over 350 yards per game.

Raiders coaching pitch: Clean slate

• Top 2025 NFL Draft pick: 6
• Cap space: $107.3 million (2)
• Owner/general manager: Mark Davis/Tom Telesco
• Quarterback: Gardner Minshew/Aidan O'Connell
• Last playoff appearance: 2021

Interviews: None confirmed | Rumors: , Mike Vrabel, Pete Carroll, Ben Johnson, Brian Flores

Owner Mark Davis might be the most unattractive part of the opening in Sin City. That or an AFC West that's the strongest division in football after turnarounds by the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos allowed them to join the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.

Like with Mayo in New England, things would look a little better for the Raiders if Antonio Pierce hadn't won two of the final three games. But Las Vegas has the No. 6 pick and more cap space than 30 other teams.

The Raiders could move up to secure a much-needed quarterback in the draft, or they could opt to use their cap space on a bridge QB and start filling out the rest of the roster. There should be a fair amount of room to grow in this role and develop a new culture after Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and Pierce have rotated through the sideline since 2018.

Jets coaching pitch: Aaron Rodgers might be leaving 

• Top 2025 NFL Draft pick: 7
• Cap space: $28.8 million (20)
• Owner/general manager: Woody Johnson/Phil Savage (interim)
• Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
• Last playoff appearance: 2010

Interviews: Rex Ryan | Rumors: Joe Brady, Brian Flores, Josh McCown, Ron Rivera, Bobby Slowik

Before taking New York's open coaching position, I'd want confirmation from Woody Johnson that Rodgers won't be returning.

The future Hall of Famer was essentially allowed to fire head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, before forcing the trade for wide receiver Davante Adams. Rodgers was indisputably part of the problem this season while playing to a 48.2 QBR.

Should Rodgers be let go (or somehow traded) - Johnson seemed - there are enough pieces to like in New York. Former Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson should rebound, and a return of Adams would help form one of the NFL's better receiving duos. Running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen have the backfield in a good place. And former Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner remains the cornerstone of the defense.

The No. 7 pick and adequate cap space (especially if Rodgers moves along) can continue to rebuild a long-troublesome offensive line.

Jaguars coaching pitch: Trevor Lawrence was a No. 1 pick!

• Top 2025 NFL Draft pick: 5
• Cap space: $36 million (18)
• Owner/general manager: Shahid Khan/Trent Baalke
• Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
• Last playoff appearance: 2022

Interviews: None completed | Rumors: Kellen Moore, Todd Monken, Joe Brady, Ben Johnson, Robert Saleh 

Things got so bad in Jacksonville this season that it's easy to forget this team nearly upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the playoffs just two years ago.

Lawrence regressed mightily while playing just 10 games. That was despite the additions of wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft and Gabe Davis via free agency. The No. 5 pick will almost surely be spent to address a defense that allowed 25.6 points per game.

Interestingly, it was following the firing of Doug Pederson that the new coach will report directly to owner Shad Khan, despite general manager Trent Baalke remaining in tow.

Saints coaching pitch: Low expectations

• Top 2025 NFL Draft pick: 9
• Cap space: minus-$50 million (32)
• Owner/general manager: Gayle Benson/Mickey Loomis
• Quarterback: Derek Carr/Spencer Rattler
• Last playoff appearance: 2020

Interviews: Anthony Weaver | Rumors: Mike Vrabel, Kellen Moore, Joe Brady

I'm not sure if accepting the Saints' head coach opening should be a stunt featured on Fear Factor, Jackass, or Impractical Jokers.

Years and years of salary cap manipulation has led to negative-$50 million in cap space heading into this offseason. That deficit can - and will - be negated somehow and some way once again, but it won't result in roster improvements.

Veteran QB Derek Carr comes with a $51-million cap hit this season and $50 million in dead cap if released. Fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler didn't look the part of a future starter, and No. 1 receiver Chris Olave suffered yet another concussion that knocked him out of the final eight games. 

With the Carolina Panthers showing life in the second half of this season with Bryce Young at the helm, New Orleans is likely banished to fourth in the NFC South for several years to come.

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