NFL coaching, GM tracker 2018: Firings, hirings, rumors, and news
Follow us as we track all the coaching carousel news here.
With the end of the NFL regular season comes changes, as teams let go of head coaches and general managers in search of a fresh start. Black Monday is typically when the coaching carousel starts, since it’s the day that most teams fire underachieving coaches.
It can start earlier, such as when Ben McAdoo got released in December, but for the most part teams don’t start making moves until the regular season is done.
As coaching rumors and news heats up, we’ll be tracking all the action here. Follow us from the first job opening up, to the last one getting filled.
Head coaches
Firings/Retirements
Arizona Cardinals
- Bruce Arians made it official Monday morning: He is retiring.
Baltimore Ravens
- Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said he will retire following a 45-year coaching career.
Chicago Bears
- John Fox was fired in Chicago after three seasons that didn’t really go very well.
Dallas Cowboys
- Cowboys wide receivers coach Derek Dooley won’t return next season, per Ian Rapoport. Tight ends coach Steve Loney also plans to retire.
Denver Broncos
- The Broncos are keeping Vance Joseph, but they fired six coaches: Jeff Davidson (OL), Johnnie Lynn (assitant DBs), Brock Olivo (special teams coordinator), Fred Pagac (OLB), Eric Studesville (assistant head coach/RBs) and Tyke Tolbert (WRs).
Detroit Lions
- Jim Caldwell is out. The Lions’ move was reported earlier Monday morning.
Green Bay Packers
- The Packers fired longtime defensive coordinator Dom Capers, according to multiple reports.
Houston Texans
- The Texans have mutually parted ways” with special teams coordinator Larry Izzo, according to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain. Ian Rapoport reported that defensive backs coach John Butler and running backs coach Charles London also won’t return.
Indianapolis Colts
- Head coach Chuck Pagano was relieved of his duties following the Colts’ Week 17 win over the Texans.
New York Giants
- The Giants fired Ben McAdoo after a 2-10 start and numerous controversies, most notably benching Eli Manning and ending his starting games streak. Steve Spagnuolo was named interim coach.
Oakland Raiders
- Jack Del Rio was fired by the Raiders after Oakland’s 30-10 loss to the Chargers in Week 17. This opens the door for a possible Jon Gruden return to Oakland.
Rumors
Arizona Cardinals
- Bruce Arians has been hounded by retirement rumors most of the season, and he’s vehemently denied them every time. The latest report came from Pro Football Weekly, which Arians decried as “fake news.”
- He’ll likely retire after the season, according to a Sunday morning report from Adam Schefter. However, the team may try to convince him to stick around one more year. Update: Arians decided to retire.
- Ian Rapoport reports that the Cardinals put in a request to interview Vikings OC Pat Shurmur.
- The Cardinals have requested an interview with Eagles QB coach John DeFilippo, per Schefter.
- Following Arians’ retirement, the Cardinals have also asked to interview Eagles DC Jim Schwartz and Patriots DC Matt Patricia, according to Rapoport.
- The Cardinals also want to interview Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores, per Schefter.
- The Cardinals requested an interview with former Titans head coach and current Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak, according to Rapoport.
- Defensive coordinator James Bettcher is set to interview for the head coaching job as soon as Wednesday, Jan. 3, per Rapoport.
- The Cardinals will talk to Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong about the head coaching job, according to Sam Farmer.
Cardinals interests include: James Bettcher, John DeFilippo, Brian Flores, Mike Munchak, Matt Patricia, Jim Schwartz, Pat Shurmur.
Chicago Bears
- The team would reportedly like to find a coach with experience developing quarterbacks to work with Mitchell Trubisky.
- Look for the Bears to look into Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael as a potential head coach candidate, according to Rapoport.
- The Bears have asked to interview Panthers DC Steve Wilks, per Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager.
- The Bears plan to interview Eagles QB coach John DeFilippo, according to Mike Garafolo.
- The Bears have requested interviews with Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Vikings OC Pat Shurmur, according to Rapoport.
Bears interests include: Pete Carmichael, John DeFilippo, Josh McDaniels, Pat Shurmur, Steve Wilks.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Marvin Lewis may or may not be stepping down, but the Bengals are primed to move on without him no matter his next move. The club has reportedly begun vetting in-house candidates for his job. Lewis said after Sunday’s win, which knocked the Ravens out of playoff contention, that he’d like to coach the Bengals next year, but it’s complicated. On Monday, he said it shouldn’t take long for him to make a decision.
Cleveland Browns
- The Browns will interview Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan for their OC job. Bill O’Brien says he wants Ryan to stay, per the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain.
Denver Broncos
- Vance Joseph is looking like a one-and-done case in Denver. Broncos GM John Elway will meet with Joseph on Monday morning. His first season with the Broncos included regression on both sides of the ball. Update: Joseph is staying.
Detroit Lions
- The Lions submitted a request to interview Patriots DC Matt Patricia for their head coaching job, according to Schefter.
- The Lions have requested to interview Vikings OC Pat Shurmur, per Tom Pelissero.
- Detroit has asked to interview Texans DC Mike Vrabel, according to MMQB’s Albert Breer. Vrabel’s interview is set for Wednesday, Jan. 3.
- The Lions have requested permission to interview Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, according to the Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person and confirmed by Wilks.
- The Lions interviewed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
- Packers assistant head coach/linebackers coach Winston Moss will interview Tuesday, Jan. 2, per Ian Rapoport.
Lions interests include: Teryl Austin, Winston Moss, Matt Patricia, Pat Shurmur, Mike Vrabel, Steve Wilks.
Houston Texans
- According to a report from the Houston Chronicle, Bill O’Brien and GM Rick Smith are in a “toxic” and “dysfunctional” relationship, leaving open the possibility of O’Brien seeking a job elsewhere.
- The Texans are expected to keep O’Brien, Schefter reported Sunday morning, but it’s not a done deal. There are still issues to workout between the two sides.
- With Rick Smith taking an extended leave of absence due to his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis, O’Brien is scheduled to meet with owner Bob McNair on Monday to discuss direction of personnel department.
Indianapolis Colts
- The Colts have requested permission to interview Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, according to the Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person and confirmed by Wilks.
- The team has also asked to interview Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, per Schefter.
- The Colts have been given permission to interview Texans DC Mike Vrabel, according to Breer.
- The Colts plan to interview Seahawks DC Kris Richard, according to Pelissero.
Colts interests include: Josh McDaniels, Kris Richard, Mike Vrabel, Steve Wilks.
New York Giants
- Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is expected to interview with the Giants.
- The Giants have submitted requests to interview Patriots DC Matt Patricia and OC Josh McDaniels for their head coaching job, per Adam Schefter.
- The Giants have requested permission to interview Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, according to the Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person and confirmed by Wilks.
- Former Broncos assistant coach Eric Studesville will be interviewed by the Giants, according to Calvin Watkins of Newsday. He was the team’s running backs coach since 2010 and an assistant head coach in 2017, but was fired along with several other assistants after the season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the interview will come Friday, Jan. 5.
Giants interests include: Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Jim Schwartz, Eric Studesville, Steve Wilks.
Oakland Raiders
- The Raiders might have made Jon Gruden an offer he couldn’t refuse: ownership stake to coach.
- The Raiders are confident Jon Gruden is their coach, but will still call ESPN’s Saturday Wild Card game, according to Ian Rapoport. Gruden plans to call plays, and hire Paul Guenther as his DC.
- Gruden said “I hope I’m a candidate” for the Raiders, a job he is almost certainly going to accept.
Tennessee Titans
- NFL Network's Ian Rapport reported on Sunday that Titans ownership was at the team's facility all week. And head coach Mike Mularkey is in trouble. The Titans will look at Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Hirings/coaches staying put
Cleveland Browns
- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told new GM John Dorsey that Hue Jackson would return as head coach with no debate.
Dallas Cowboys
- Jerry Jones reiterated that Jason Garrett will remain the Cowboys’ head coach. “You pay a price when you make a change at the head coach,” he said on 105.3 The Fan.
Denver Broncos
- Despite rumors that he’d be out after just one year, Vance Joseph will remain coach of the Broncos.
- Joseph confirmed that interim offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is getting the full-time gig.
Green Bay Packers
- Earlier this season, Mike McCarthy signed a one-year extension through 2019, per Rob Demovsky.
Houston Texans
- Not only is Bill O’Brien staying, but he’s expected to sign an extension, according to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain.
New York Jets
- The Jets closed the door on any coaching change this year by signing Todd Bowles to a contract extension.
Seattle Seahawks
- As is tradition, talk of Pete Carroll’s retirement have budded up. As is tradition, the NFL’s oldest head coach has denied he’ll leave the sideline.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Despite speculation about a Jon Gruden return to Tampa, the Bucs are reportedly sticking with Dirk Koetter for 2018.
Washington
- It appears that Jay Gruden is safe for another year. Ian Rapoport said that there is a “deep understanding” of Washington’s injury woes, and that Gruden isn’t in danger of losing his job.
General managers
Firings
Carolina Panthers
- The Panthers surprisingly fired GM Dave Gettleman just a couple weeks before training camp. They brought back Marty Hurney, who GM’d the team from 2002-12, to serve an interim role.
Cleveland Browns
- The Browns let go of GM Sashi Brown less than two years after hiring him.
Green Bay Packers
- Ted Thompson is transitioning to new role on the team after 13 years as the GM. He’ll now serve as senior advisor to football operations.
New York Giants
- Jerry Reese was fired alongside McAdoo, as the Giants started a complete housecleaning of the front office.
Rumors
Houston Texans
- If Bill O’Brien stays, longtime Texans GM Rick Smith could be shown the door. However, as of Sunday afternoon, Smith announced he would be taking an extended leave to focus on his wife’s recent breast cancer diagnosis.
Hirings/GM staying put
Chicago Bears
- John Fox is out, but GM Ryan Pace is staying. In fact, the Bears announced Pace has been signed to an extension through 2021.
Cleveland Browns
- On the same day the team fired Sashi Brown, Cleveland tapped John Dorsey as its new general manager.
New York Giants
- New York found its man to replace Reese, hiring former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman. He’ll be tasked with finding a new head coach and repairing a fractured locker room.
New York Jets
- On the same day the Jets extended Todd Bowles, they also gave GM Mike Maccagnan a new contract.