NFL Black Monday updates: Latest rumors, news, analysis on coach firings

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NFL Black Monday updates: Latest rumors, news, analysis on coach firings

Chris Bumbaca and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Mon, Jan 6, 2025 ·

19 min read

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NFL teams once again didn't wait until "Black Monday" to take drastic action with their coaching staffs this season.

With Week 18 wrapping up Sunday and the playoff picture complete , four teams already find themselves with vacancies in their top jobs: the New York Jets , New Orleans Saints , Chicago Bears and New England Patriots . History suggests more firings are still to come, with dismissals of key assistant coaches also likely in several spots. And it shouldn't take long for teams to begin moving on their searches, with interview requests sure to start filtering in.

Here are all the latest updates on coach firings and moves throughout the league on Monday:

Bears request Cowboys ' permission to interview Mike McCarthy for coaching vacancy

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to formalize their plans for 2025, but the Chicago Bears are lurking in the background as a potential option for Mike McCarthy depending on how things pan out.

The Bears on Monday requested permission from the Cowboys to interview McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple reports.

McCarthy is still under contract through Jan. 14, so the Cowboys would have to grant permission for him to speak with another team.

On Sunday, McCarthy said his preference was to remain in Dallas.

"Absolutely. I have a lot invested here, and the Cowboys have a lot invested in me," McCarthy said. "And then there's a personal side to all these decisions. They all point the right direction. I think anytime you invest your time, energy, your belief, the connection you have, the relationships that are in place here, the understanding of what the organization can do and is willing to do. Those are all positive attributes that you take into account."

The Bears also requested to speak with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka , Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, according to multiple reports.

Shad Khan addresses decision to keep Jaguars GM Trent Baalke

Doug Pederson's dismissal by the Jaguars came as little surprise on Monday. But owner Shad Khan's decision to keep general manager Trent Baalke stirred some intrigue.

In a news conference Monday, Khan pushed back against the notion that the Jaguars needed a "complete overhaul," saying full-scale changes would be "like shooting yourself in the foot." He also maintained that Baalke's presence wouldn't be an impediment to attracting a top coaching candidate.

"We have a very compelling case of what we can offer the head coach," Khan said.

Khan added that he's hoping the next coach will shake things up, calling Jacksonville "the most predictable team" on both offense and defense.

Antonio Pierce is confident he's staying with Raiders

Amid the various action through Monday, the Las Vegas Raiders had yet to indicate one way or another how they plan to proceed for 2025.

But when Antonio Pierce met the media on Monday, he stated his confidence he would be back for another season.

"I haven't been told anything different," Pierce said in a news conference when asked if he expects to return.

Pierce added speculation about his standing was "coming from outside the building." He added he doesn't envision making any changes to his staff, which would indicate that interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner will remain in the role after taking over for the fired Luke Getsy .

Seahawks fire offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb

After one season, the Seattle Seahawks have moved on from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb .

Head coach Mike Macdonald, in charge of the defense, hired Grubb from nearby University of Washington to lead the offense after he helped lead the Huskies to the national title game last year. But the Seattle attack was inconsistent throughout the season, although quarterback Geno Smith continued his year-over-year statistical improvement. The Seahawks finished 28th in rushing yards as woes along the offensive line persisted.

Smith stumped for Grubb following the team's win Sunday over the Los Angeles Rams , which put them at 10-7 on the season.

"Our first year, obviously there were some ups and downs ... I believe in this system," Smith said. "I think Grubb has exactly what it takes to be a good coordinator in this league. It's his first year, man. Got to give the guy some grace."

The Seahawks, evidently, did not agree.

Saints' interview list starts to come together

The New Orleans Saints haven't raced to begin the process of filling the void left by Dennis Allen's firing , but the team is starting to put together its plans for its head coaching search.

The Saints requested to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, according to multiple reports. Glenn is a former protégé of Sean Payton who was an assistant coach in New Orleans from 2016-20 and has been widely linked to a possible return to the Saints.

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Another name emerges in Bears' coaching search

The Chicago Bears are moving forward with their coaching search by requesting an interview with Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, according to multiple reports.

Petzing, 37, helped the Cardinals finish 11th in total offense this season, with the seventh-ranked ground game pacing the attack. He is in his second year as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator.

The Bears have already requested interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, according to multiple reports.

Patriots make interview request after firing Mayo

The New England Patriots are moving quickly after firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday, as the team has requested an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, according to multiple reports.

Johnson, who orchestrated the NFL's top-scoring offense and is expected to one of the most in-demand candidates this cycle, can conduct virtual interviews with teams starting Wednesday given the Lions have a first-round bye. Johnson withdrew from the last two coaching cycles and is expected to once again be discerning about the openings he pursues.

The Patriots have been widely linked to former Tennessee Titans coach and New England standout Mike Vrabel , but Johnson could also be a strong candidate given the need to support Drake Maye after the quarterback's promising rookie season.

NY Jets make requests for open GM, HC roles

Jets owner Woody Johnson has to find both a new GM and head coach this offseason and wasted little time in making requests Monday for employees of postseason-bound teams.

The Jets have asked to speak with Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, according to ESPN. They also requested Los Angeles Rams senior personnel executive Ray Farmer. Farmer was the general manager of the Cleveland Browns from 2014-15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg and Minnesota Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson also received requests, per multiple reports. The team has already met with former Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, ex- Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson, Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick about the role.

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik received his first request for a head-coach opening from the Jets, per multiple reports, as did Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown . The team has met with former NFL head coaches Mike Vrabel and Ron Rivera regarding the opening.

Giants owner won't put 'time limit' on Schoen, Daboll

With the Giants in desperate need of a quarterback, owner John Mara was asked about the timeline regarding the future of GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll if the team selects a rookie signal-caller in the draft and whether his commitment to them extended beyond next season.

"I understand the question, but I'm not going to put any kind of time limit on it," Mara replied.

However, it does not appear the leash is long.

"It better not take too long, because I've just about run out of patience," Mara said.

Whether Schoen and Daboll will enter the 2025 season on the hot seat, Mara replied: "We're gonna have to see. I'm gonna have to be in a better mood this time next year than I am right now."

Mara said he spoke to Daboll on Friday and encouraged the head coach to surrender play-calling duties on offense and hinted at moving on from defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after one season.

"We stunk this year," Mara said. "The results on the field were not what we wanted them to be. There were a number of factors that went into that."

The Giants are picking third in a class that draft analysts say has two first-round talents in Cam Ward and Sheduer Sanders. The two teams ahead of them, the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, are also seeking quarterbacks of the future, which once again puts the franchise in the awkward position of picking early in the first round but too late at the same time.

Finding a quarterback is "the number one issue" entering the offseason, Mara said.

Cincinnati Bengals fire defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo

A strong finish to the season could not save Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, as Cincinnati let him go Monday after a 9-8 season that ended with the team missing the playoffs for the second straight season, according to multiple reports.

Anarumo's defense, which improved throughout the season, surrendered 34 points or more in six games – all during the team's 4-8 start. The late-season revival, even with a depleted secondary, wasn't enough to convince head coach Zac Taylor and Bengals management to keep Anarumo around.

Anarumo was a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching job during the 2023 offseason.

Which NFL teams could make coaching changes on Black Monday?

With the Jaguars (firing Doug Pederson) and Giants (keeping Brian Daboll), resolution came quickly for those teams Monday.

But a pair of other organizations are still expected to make their intentions clear: the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy worked this season on an expiring contract, though his deal runs through Jan. 14. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has praised McCarthy in recent weeks and the coach said after Sunday's loss to the Washington Commanders – which dropped Dallas to 7-10 on the season – said he is interested in remaining with Dallas.

For the Raiders, head coach Antonio Pierce earned the job based on the reviews he received from players after he took over as the interim head coach in 2023. But the Raiders finished 4-13 and will pick sixth in the NFL draft.

The Tennessee Titans are expected to retain first-year coach Brian Callahan, and the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts clarified Sunday that Mike McDaniel and Shane Steichen, respectively, would return for 2025. That leaves five openings as of Monday morning – the three teams that fired their coaches during the season are looking for new ones, as are the New England Patriots (who let Jerod Mayo go after one year) and the Jaguars.

Jacksonville Jaguars fire Doug Pederson after three seasons

Black Monday began in earnest with perhaps the most obvious move of the offseason: the Jacksonville Jaguars moving on from head coach Doug Pederson .

Before the season, owner Shad Khan claimed this was the most talented team in Jacksonville since he purchased the organization. But the Jaguars finished 4-13 and third in a dismal AFC South, and Pederson's time was up despite a pair of 9-8 campaigns in his first two seasons (leaving him with an overall record of 22-29).

Pederson led the team to a division title in 2022, his first season, and a dramatic comeback victory in the wild-card round over the Los Angeles Chargers before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jags started the next year 8-3 but missed the postseason and Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl, never regained his winning ways.

In a statement, Khan thanked Pederson and indicated general manager Trent Baalke will remain in that role.

Giants' Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen safe after disaster season

Only one New York team will be on the hunt for a new coach and GM this offseason.

Giants owner John Mara, in a statement Monday morning, said head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will return for the 2025 season .

"As disappointing as the results of the season have been, (co-owner) Steve (Tisch) and I remain confident in the process that Joe and Brian have implemented and their vision for our team," Mara said in a statement. "We look forward to the future and achieving the results we all desire."

The Giants went 3-14 in 2024, their 100th season that was supposed to be a celebratory campaign. Instead, the brain trust hired three offseasons ago faced questions down the stretch of whether the would lose their jobs.

The "Hard Knocks" capturing the internal conversations between Schoen and Mara regarding former running back Saquon Barkley , who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and had a historic season , served as fodder that the GM's job was in jeopardy. The product on the Giants' end kept declining. Quarterback Daniel Jones was benched and released midseason , and the team snapped a 10-game losing streak – the longest in franchise history – in Week 17.

According to NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, the Giants had a team meeting at 8 a.m. ET followed by team brass debriefs.

Daboll was Coach of the Year following the 2022 season, which included a surprise playoff appearance and postseason victory. But the Giants went 6-11 last season and after one of the worst years in franchise history, Daboll made his case that better quarterback play – which he'd mostly been deprived of since 2022 – actually gives teams a chance of winning. Now it appears he and Schoen will have the chance to choose a franchise quarterback of the future.

What's going on with Mike McCarthy and Cowboys? Coach, Jerry Jones address uncertain future

The Dallas Cowboys' season ended the way it began: without Jerry Jones making a firm commitment to Mike McCarthy.

Following Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders that wrapped up a 7-10 campaign for Dallas, the owner continued his long-running approach of speaking highly of his head coach while stopping short of saying anything definitive regarding McCarthy's job status for next season.

"Mike's one of the best coaches that I think there is," Jones said. "He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he's done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach."

McCarthy, who is under contract through Jan, 14, made it clear he wanted to remain with the organization despite speculation he could pursue another opening .

Lions' win could have ramifications for Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn in coaching searches

The Detroit Lions' win over the Minnesota Vikings shaped the NFC playoff picture, but it also could have fallout for several teams' coaching searches.

With the Lions having a bye, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn can now conduct virtual interviews for head-coaching roles starting Wednesday. Had Detroit lost, they would have had to wait an additional week.

Johnson is seen widely as one of the most in-demand coaching candidates after withdrawing from consideration during the last two hiring cycles. Glenn has kept the Lions defense rolling despite a bevy of injuries, and he has been linked to both the Jets and the Saints openings given his history with each franchise as a former player and assistant coach, respectively.

Next up for Patriots: Mike Vrabel?

On a day designed to be defined by on-field action, the Patriots turned heads with what they did after the completion of another trying year.

Robert Kraft fired coach Jerod Mayo after only one season in what the Patriots owned called "one of the hardest decisions I have ever made."

With Kraft making an abrupt pivot on the coach he appointed to be Bill Belichick's successor, USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell sees the Patriots positioning themselves for one candidate in particular: Mike Vrabel. The former Tennessee Titans coach - and Patriots Hall of Famer after his storied playing career - is arguably the most enticing candidate on the market, and he already interview with the Jets last Friday.

While the Patriots will still be required to adhere to the Rooney Rule in their interview process, expect Vrabel's presence to hang over the search. And read Bell's column on why the connection is so hard to shake.

Antonio Pierce mum on status with Raiders after loss

After the Las Vegas Raiders fell to the Los Angeles Chargers in their season finale, Antonio Pierce had no interest in ruminating on where he stood with the organization.

"No comment," Pierce said when asked about his job security.

The Silver and Black continue to keep everyone in the dark regarding Pierce's future. There's been little insight as to the team's plans since owner Mark Davis said at the league meeting in early December that he was "very disappointed" with this season's results.

Despite Las Vegas falling to 4-13, several players – including record-setting rookie tight end Brock Bowers – backed Pierce amid the ongoing uncertainty. Now it's up to Davis to make clear if he wants to bring back the coach he saw fit to make his full-time head coach after his successful interim stint or start from scratch.

Pederson holding out hope on Jaguars future

Doug Pederson might have had the hottest seat of any coach entering Week 18, but the leader of the Jacksonville Jaguars is still optimistic he'll be given a reprieve.

"I'll find out this week," Pederson said after a 26-23 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts dropped the Jaguars to 4-13 on the season. "It's hard to speculate right now. Emotions are running. I hope I'm still here, honestly. I feel like we have the makings of being a good football team. Our main guys need to get healthy, we need to continue to work hard. I'm optimistic and hopeful that happens."

Owner Shad Khan seemed to put the pressure on before the season by saying this season's iteration of the Jaguars was the best team to be assembled in franchise history. He gave Pederson a vote of confidence after a 1-4 start and did not make a move after Jacksonville suffered its greatest deficit ever in a defeat with a 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions.

No changes in Indianapolis as Irsay backs Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard

Being eliminated by a 45-33 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17 ramped up speculation that the Indianapolis Colts could shake things up by dismissing coach Shane Steichen and/or general manager Chris Ballard. After the season was completed Sunday, owner Jim Irsay moved quickly to confirm the duo would be sticking around another year.

"I've been evaluating our entire operation, and I believe in Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and our collective ability to make the improvements needed to take us to the next level in 2025," Irsay wrote in a statement posted to social media. "I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed. That means we all have a lot to prove, so we'll get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan."

The Colts have not been to the playoffs since the 2020 season and last won the AFC South title in the 2014 campaign. Since then, every other team in the division has claimed the crown at least twice.

Dolphins sticking with Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier

Despite acknowledging that the Dolphins "fell short of our expectations this season," owner Stephen Ross said he will keep coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier in place.

"Their positive working relationship is an asset to the Dolphins, and I believe in the value of stability," Ross said in a statement Sunday. "However, continuity in leadership is not to be confused with acceptance that status quo is good enough. We will take a hard look at where we have fallen sort and make the necessary changes to deliver our ultimate goal of building and sustaining a winning team that competes for championships."

Miami finished 8-9 for the Dolphins' first losing season since 2019.

One of the first offseason tasks for McDaniel and Grier: get clarity on how to proceed with Tyreek Hill after the five-time All-Pro wide receiver indicated he would like to leave .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL coach firing updates: Latest rumors, news on Black Monday

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