The regular season ends Sunday, and there are already vacancies for three coaches and six general managers.
Under the league rule, all interviews have been conducted virtually until now. That changes on 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 interview in person, subject to the new COVID-19 rules on masks, social detachment , etc. Candidates for head coach and GM whose teams are still playing are subject to the usual restrictions on the time of the first interviews.
In many cases, GM’s searches are ahead of the head coach’s searches now. But a flood of interview receipts is expected to start on Sunday afternoon, with Zoom interviews starting on Monday.
Here’s a look at where things are, according to sources:
Atlanta Falcons (HC and GM): The Falcons interviewed interim coach Raheem Morris for full-time employment on Friday and are expected to do extensive research starting on Monday. Among the candidates Atlanta has researched are Bucs ‘defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles – who was a finalist the last time the film was released – as well as the Titans’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith and Rams DC Brandon Staley.
Former Texas GM Rick Smith is considered a strong candidate for the GM position and has had a relationship with President and CEO Rich McKay since his days on the competition committee. However, Falcons must also request interviews with a number of candidates for the first time, including the director of Colts’ scouting faculty, Morocco Brown, Saints vice president / assistant general manager of professional personnel Terry Fontenot, the scouting director of Rams college, Brad Holmes, assistant staff director for Bears players Champ Kelly, Vikings assistant GM, George Paton, and GM Joe Schoen, Bills assistant. With McKay and other former GMs Ruston Webster and Phil Emery on the team, there would be a support system to help a younger executive grow into the position.
Carolina Panthers (GM): Coach Matt Rhule will have a big influence on the process, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they hired someone with a connection to him, as they did when hiring Pat Stewart as the players’ personal director last year. The Panthers are organizing an interview with ex-Giants GM, Jerry Reese, who worked with Rhule in New York in 2012. They are also expected to interview Saints vice president / assistant general manager of college personnel, Jeff Ireland, and Colts assistant general manager, Ed Dodds. Other names to watch out for include 49ers player team vice president Adam Peters – who played for Rhule at UCLA in 2001 – as well as Seahawks vice president 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 mix – and are expected to interview a few more. They are planning a possible race at Seahawks GM John Schneider, while others of interest include Indy Ed Dodds, Fitterer, Terry Fontenot, Brad Holmes, Steelers VP of football administration Omar Khan, Cowboys VP of team players Will McClay, George Paton and Eliot Wolf, Patriots front office consultant.
The Lions also quietly began their search for a coach by interviewing former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis on Thursday. 49ers DC Robert Saleh, a native of Dearborn, is considered a strong candidate for the position of head coach. But Lions are also expected to do a wide-ranging search for that position, putting around 10 interviews for potential head coach candidates for that position, with Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy, Saints assistant coach / tight-tip coach Dan Campbell and Titans OC Arthur Smith among potential targets. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Lions at least exploited college coaches, like Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern. Interim coach Darrell Bevell must also get an interview for the full-time position.
Houston Texans (HC and GM): When Bill O’Brien was fired, the focus immediately shifted to Eric Bienemy, and he should be interviewed. They have already interviewed former Lions coach Jim Caldwell and Marvin Lewis. Other coaches to watch out for include Panthers OC Joe Brady, Ohio State Ryan Day, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Patriots ILBs coach, Jerod Mayo, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Arthur Smith of Tennessee. But the Texans’ plan is to hire GM first. They interviewed their gambling team director, Matt Bazirgan, and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick and are expected to interview at least a few more, including Seahawks executive Alonzo Highsmith. Other names of interest include: Professional team account director Malik Boyd, Patriots player team director, Nick Caserio, Ravens football research director, Scott Cohen, Ed Dodds of Indy, VP of Seahawks for team of Trent players Kirchner and Will McClay from Dallas.
Jacksonville Jaguars (GM): The main job consensus is also the one surrounded by more mystery, and it may depend on the Jaguars getting a renowned technician who could choose their own man. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is forming a team, saying he hopes to land in Jacksonville. If not Meyer, the Jaguars could chase their successor with the Buckeyes, Ryan Day. No final decision has been reached on current coach Doug Marrone, who still has a year to go, but they are considered likely to split up, assuming that Jacksonville can hit one of his targets. The Jaguars have already conducted two interviews for the position of GM on Jerry Reese and Louis Riddick. Depending on who the coach is, internal candidate Trent Baalke may also be considered.
Washington Football Team (GM): Washington can beat NFC East by defeating the Eagles on Sunday night, and coach Ron Rivera said the search for GM will wait until the end of the season. The strongest feeling in league circles is ex-Panthers GM Marty Hurney – who was fired last month and has remained close to Rivera since his days in Carolina – is a leading candidate. Other names should be considered, including Titans VP, Ryan Cowden, 49ers Senior Personnel Executive Martin Mayhew, Joe Schoen and Rick Smith of Buffalo. If Kyle Smith – the most important man since Bruce Allen left – goes elsewhere, Washington could add another veteran man like Jimmy Raye III.
Bengals should retain coach Zac Taylor, although he probably has some team changes. … Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn wants to train somewhere in 2021, perhaps as a defensive coordinator. … Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell is expected to join Dan Mullen of Florida, Matt Campbell of Iowa and PJ Fleck of Minnesota, among other college coaches who are interested in the NFL. … Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn must receive at least one interview. … Chiefs’ assistant director of players, Ryan Poles, is a little-known choice for getting interviews.
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