With the information that the New Orleans Saints have finalized a deal to make Kellen Moore their subsequent head coach, all seven job openings have been crammed.
Now, in excellent sports activities media method, it’s time to rank them.
The factors? What incoming head coach has one of the best probability of seeing the playoffs in 2025?
Let’s dive in.
7. Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints
Kellen Moore was an excellent rent contemplating the Saints’ circumstances, however that’s exactly why he’s on the backside of this record. This can be a franchise that saved kicking the wage cap can down the highway, satisfied they’d discover a approach to break by and have success — and that merely by no means materialized.
Not solely are the Saints one of many oldest groups within the NFL by common participant age, however they primarily don’t have anything to indicate for it. Alvin Kamara and Cam Jordan are slowing down, the quarterback scenario is a multitude, there’s no actual weapons on offense apart from Chris Olave — and New Orleans is predicted to be $59 MILLION over the wage cap. This time they’re out of the way to restructure offers and ignore the issue. The reckoning is right here, and it’s going to take time to right.
At this level the Saints must tear issues again to the muse and construct this correctly. It stays to be seen if that may occur long-term, however they received’t be contending for something in 2025.
6. Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys
The problem right here isn’t actually the roster, of Schottenheimer, or something that’s inside the Cowboys’ management. The issue is that they share the NFC East with the Eagles and Commanders.
The fact in Dallas at this level is that their roster simply isn’t ok to contend, and the entrance workplace went all-in on guys who can’t get the job completed collectively. Sure, this was a staff that was severely bitten by the damage bug in 2024, however it’s troublesome to see a path ahead for even a wholesome Cowboys roster making it previous the Tremendous Bowl champs, or Washington’s newfound success.
If Mike McCarthy couldn’t get the job completed then believing Schottenheimer can is blind hope, not logic. Relating to the NFL: Don’t commerce in blind hope.
5. Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
I’m really fairly excited for the Pete Carroll period of the Raiders. The coordinator hires (Chip Kelly as OC and retaining Patrick Graham as DC) actually fireplace me up, and Carroll, regardless of being 73 years previous, remains to be head coach. Nonetheless, if we’re rating them based mostly on how seemingly they’re to succeed in the playoffs in 2025, the Raiders have fairly actually the worst hand of the brand new hires. Not solely are they in the identical division because the reigning AFC Champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, however the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos each made the playoffs final 12 months. It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Raiders to get into the playoffs–but I’d certain wish to see Pete Carroll strive.
4. Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Credit score the place it’s because of the Jets, as a result of they managed to land some of the promising head coaches in the complete NFL regardless of being a dumpster fireplace of a franchise in possession, and having a staff hand-crafted for Aaron Rodgers.
Glenn’s historical past with the Jets made this occur, and contemplating the dearth of expertise in New York it’s a testomony to how good Glenn could possibly be that he finishes fourth on this record, understanding full effectively that he’s in a division with the Payments and Dolphins.
There are enormous query marks to make certain. No person is aware of if Aaron Rodgers will play soccer, or cling the other way up in an Indonesian bat collapse 2025, feasting on locust larvae as his solely sustenance. Couple that with Garrett Wilson doubtlessly wanting out, and there’s important work to be completed on the offensive aspect of the ball.
That mentioned, the Jets protection stays fairly rattling proficient. Robert Saleh confirmed what this unit is able to, and Aaron Glenn ought to have the ability to get them again to type. If the protection can stay robust and Breece Corridor can run the ball successfully then New York has the potential to shock some folks. It’s nonetheless an out of doors probability, nevertheless.
3. Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
The 2024 New England Patriots suffered from an absence of expertise at a number of positions, so seeing them listed third would possibly come at a shock.
However the 2025 Patriots have just a few issues going for them. One, the presence of Drake Maye. Whereas the roster wants work across the quarterback place, Maye confirmed throughout his rookie season the clear potential to develop into a franchise quarterback. This provides the Patriots a window to construct round him and maximize that rookie contract.
Second, the Patriots have the sources to just do that. Not solely do they maintain the fourth choose within the upcoming NFL Draft — and are more likely to seen a top-tier, non-QB prospect fall to them — however the Patriots have the best cap house within the NFL this offseason. Eliot Wolf has over $110 million to work with this offseason, and whereas New England might need to pay a premium to land huge free brokers, they’ve the house to just do that.
Add in a coach who has seen the playoffs earlier than, and also you would possibly simply have one thing.
2. Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
Final offseason there was a substantial amount of pleasure concerning the Chicago Bears.
With first-overall choice Caleb Williams coming in at quarterback, and Ryan Poles including Rome Odunze just a few picks later, the Bears added a wealth of younger expertise on the offensive aspect of the soccer. Making these updates to a roster that completed 7-10 — and received 4 of their remaining six video games — had some pondering Chicago might make a shock playoff push in 2024.
After all, that didn’t materialize. The Bears misplaced ten straight video games, kicked off by a shocking loss on the sport’s remaining play towards the Washington Commanders, and head coach Matt Eberflus was fired earlier than Thanksgiving.
Now, the Bears flip to Ben Johnson, the most popular identify on the pinnacle coach hiring market the previous two offseasons. If Johnson can get probably the most out of Williams, the Bears could possibly be harmful this season.
1. Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s not a stretch to say that the 2024 Jaguars had been a proficient staff undermined by teaching. The dearth of preparation and execution on offense was evident each week, when for the primary three quarters the Jaguars appeared like they simply came upon a few soccer sport just a few hours earlier than it began. Nonetheless, with new head coach Liam Coen in tow, I feel the Jaguars have one of many higher younger offensive minds within the NFL. His skill to adapt and retool his offense round what his gamers do greatest was the embodiment of the 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and I feel he’ll convey that creativity to Jacksonville. Plus, Jacksonville is in a division that could be very winnable for any staff. There’s a chance for Coen to make the playoffs in his first 12 months.
