The NFL offseason is here, and with it comes the annual coaching carousel. Six teams — the Patriots, Jaguars, Raiders, Bears, Jets, and Saints — are looking for new head coaches, each facing a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Some need to rebuild from the ground up, while others are focused on finding the right leader to develop young talent, especially at quarterback.

On top of that, general manager searches are ramping up for the Jets, Titans, and Raiders. These GM decisions are just as critical as the coaching hires, especially for teams like the Jets, where stability in the front office has been elusive. Finding the right leadership at both levels could set these franchises on a better path forward.

While each of these roles comes with plenty of intrigue, it’s clear that none of these teams are close to a quick fix. The decisions made over the next few weeks won’t just impact these organizations — they’ll ripple across the league for years to come.

Finding the Right Leader

New England Patriots

Jerod Mayo didn’t even last a full season as the Patriots’ head coach, and now New England is back in the market for a new leader on the sidelines. The name most connected to this opening, for obvious reasons, is Mike Vrabel. 

The former Titans coach and Patriots Hall of Famer seems tailor-made for the role. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talked about the fit in New England, saying, "Vrabel is indeed the heavy favorite from all that I'm hearing, as he fits the mold when it comes to organization, player development, and leadership." Plus, his connection to the team’s history is something we know Robert Kraft values.

But don’t count out Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who just had an interview with the organization on Friday morning. The guy’s been turning heads with his creative offense, and now with rookie QB Drake Maye in the mix, Johnson’s ability to grow with the young quarterback is incredibly enticing. 

Dan Graziano pointed out that the Patriots' opening is much more enticing for offensive-minded coaches than it might seem at first glance. "With Maye in place, their considerable cap space, and a high draft pick to help kick-start the build," Graziano explained, "this job is going to be of real interest to top offensive candidates such as Johnson."

Another name to watch is Brian Flores. He hasn’t heard from New England yet, but his defensive background and familiarity with the organization make him someone to keep an eye on. Still, there’s some unease about whether the Patriots’ first few interviews — like those with Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton — might just be box-checking to meet the Rooney Rule.

Here’s a curveball: there’s talk of  Vrabel bringing along Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator. This would mark McDaniels' third stint as the Patriots' offensive coordinator if it were to happen. 

Whether the team picks a familiar face or goes in a fresh direction, this coaching search is shaping up to be one of the juiciest storylines of the offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ head coaching job isn’t just another vacancy — it’s a chance for an offensive-minded coach to unlock Trevor Lawrence’s potential. 

At 25 years old, Lawrence still has plenty of time to grow into the elite quarterback many envisioned when he entered the league, but it’s fair to say he hasn’t quite delivered the results expected so far. That’s not entirely on him, of course, but whoever takes this job will need a clear plan to take both Lawrence and the team to the next level. 

Enter Ben Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator and one of the hottest names in the coaching market. Johnson’s innovative play designs and knack for tailoring his system to players’ strengths make him an obvious fit. 

But there’s a catch: GM Trent Baalke’s reputation as a difficult collaborator could scare off some candidates. According to Jeremy Fowler, “The sentiment in some league circles is that Johnson is intrigued by this job but might want his own general manager in place.” 

Still, there’s a lot to love about this job. Unlike other openings, Jacksonville has stability at quarterback — a rare asset in today’s NFL. And it’s not just Johnson in the mix. Joe Brady, the Bills’ offensive coordinator, and Liam Coen, the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, are also intriguing options. Both have a reputation for creative offense and a strong ability to develop young talent, making them good fits for a team with a promising but underperforming roster.

Whoever lands this gig will need a clear plan to elevate Lawrence and inject consistency into a Jaguars team that’s been stuck in neutral. With the right hire, Jacksonville could finally fulfill its long-teased potential and become a force in the AFC South.

Las Vegas Raiders

Antonio Pierce’s exit leaves a gaping hole, and with Tom Brady now involved as a minority owner, there’s a lot of buzz about how his influence could shape the decision. Will it be a nostalgia-fueled move or a fresh direction?

One of the biggest challenges is the quarterback situation — or lack thereof. Graziano summed it up bluntly: "This job is a bit of a tough sell because there’s no way to know what the quarterback situation is going to look like." A clear plan for addressing that uncertainty will be a top priority for any candidate considering the role.

Mike Vrabel’s name keeps coming up, largely thanks to his connection with Brady. His reputation for strong leadership and building competitive teams makes him a natural fit. Then there’s the popular offensive candidates, Johnson, and Coen, both of whom bring real creativity to the table.

And let’s not forget Deion Sanders. While he’s still committed to Colorado, Fowler points out that "the Davis family’s propensity for splash would coalesce with Sanders." It might be unconventional, but it’s a classic Raiders move to go for the boldest option.

Whoever ends up in Vegas will have their work cut out for them, but with Brady in the mix and the right vision for the future, this hire could define the Raiders’ trajectory for years to come.

Chicago Bears

The Bears’ coaching search feels like a crossroads moment for the franchise. After a rocky tenure under Matt Eberflus, Chicago is clearly looking for someone with the experience and vision to bring some much-needed stability. 

As Dan Graziano put it, "The Bears are obviously talking to a lot of people, including some very seasoned veteran head coaches. So they might have to go through this first round of interviews and decide exactly how important previous experience is to them."

One big name that’s reportedly in the mix is Pete Carroll. While still a longshot, Carroll’s proven track record and ability to build winning cultures could be a much-needed change for a team desperate to turn the page. 

Another intriguing possibility is Mike McCarthy, should he part ways with Dallas. McCarthy’s Super Bowl pedigree and offensive mind would make him a strong contender, especially with a young quarterback to develop.

Speaking of quarterbacks, that’s a key selling point for Chicago. They’ve got a young, promising signal-caller in need of the right mentor, and that’s where someone like Ben Johnson comes in. Johnson’s offensive creativity and ability to connect with players make him an appealing choice, even if he lacks head coaching experience.

Chicago’s focus on seasoned candidates signals they’re done with culture problems and are ready to bring in a leader who can handle the pressure. Whoever gets the job will inherit a roster with potential but plenty of work to do, and they’ll need to hit the ground running to meet the high expectations of this proud franchise.

New York Jets and New Orleans Saints

The coaching searches for the Jets and Saints are moving quickly, and both teams are casting wide nets to find their next leaders.

Saints: Aaron Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, appears to be the front-runner. He’s got deep ties to New Orleans from his time on their coaching staff, and Graziano mentioned, "He’s extremely well regarded in that building." 

His familiarity with the team’s culture gives him an edge, but the Saints aren’t limiting themselves to one direction. Names like Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore have also surfaced as potential candidates. If McCarthy parted ways with Dallas, his experience might sway things his way.

Jets: The Jets are keeping their options open, with defensive names like Vrabel, Flores, and Glenn among their top targets. According to reports, former Jets' head coach Rex Ryan has some fans within the organization and could vouch for him as the right hire, but no one (except for Ryan himself) considers him the front-runner as of now. 

Jeremy Fowler noted, "My sleeper is former Falcons head coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith." Smith’s offensive pedigree and ability to develop players make him an interesting wild card in the mix. For a team desperate to find an identity, these decisions will be critical in shaping their future.

The Search for Front Office Stability

The hunt for new general managers is heating up in New York, Tennessee, and Las Vegas, with each franchise taking a slightly different approach.

Jets: The Jets’ search has been anything but boring, with a long list of candidates bringing a mix of experience and fresh perspectives. Big names like former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and former Titans GM Jon Robinson have already been interviewed, alongside some less conventional candidates like Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy and former Eagles director of pro personnel Louis Riddick. Another intriguing name in the mix is Mike Greenberg, the Buccaneers’ assistant GM, who’s known for his innovative cap strategies. 

While there’s clear talent on this roster, particularly on defense, the Jets are far from a contender as presently constructed. Whoever lands this job will face the enormous task of stabilizing the organization, fixing long-standing offensive issues, and collaborating with the head coach to craft a clear path forward.

Titans: Tennessee’s search is focused on finding a GM who fits their "draft, develop, and retain" philosophy under the guidance of Chad Brinker, their president of football operations. Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Packers director of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan are on their radar, alongside scouting-savvy candidates like Terrance Gray from the Bills. 

With interviews underway, the Titans are clearly prioritizing a GM who can rebuild their roster through smart drafting and development.

Raiders: Meanwhile, in Vegas, things are starting to heat up with an intriguing name in the mix: Scott Pioli. A three-time Super Bowl-winning executive and NFL Executive of the Decade for the 2000s, Pioli brings unmatched New England pedigree. Before stepping away from football, he held key roles like general manager, assistant GM, and vice president of personnel across multiple organizations. 

With Tom Brady’s influence as a minority owner, Pioli could be a natural fit for a team that has shown a recent fondness for Patriots connections. His football acumen is top-tier, and the Raiders might see him as the steady leader needed to steer their front office into the future.

These GM hires will set the tone for each team’s future, especially as they look to align their front offices with upcoming coaching decisions. Everything is on the line.