2025 NFL Black Monday Tracker: Coaches fired and changes

Now that the 2024 NFL regular season has ended, the coaching carousel is in full spin.

Let’s take a look at who’s staying and who’s going, and for those teams with vacancies across the league, who they have their eyes on early in the process.

Hirings

Cleveland Browns (OC, OL)

• The Browns are promoting Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator, the team announced on Jan. 15. Rees, 32, has quickly risen up the coaching ranks over the last few years. Before serving as the Browns’ pass game specialist and tight ends coach in 2024, he was Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2023 and Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for three seasons (2020-23).
• The Browns have hired Mike Bloomgren as the new offensive line coach, the team announced on Jan. 8. Bloomgren first coached in the NFL in 2007, joining the Jets as an offensive quality control coach for two seasons. He then moved into an offensive assistant role in 2009 and, in 2010, served as an assistant offensive coordinator. Bloomgren is returning to the NFL after a lengthy stint in the collegiate ranks from 2011-2024 at Stanford and Rice.

New England Patriots (HC)

• Mike Vrabel is returning to the Patriots, the same franchise he won three Super Bowls with as a player in the 2000s. Vrabel has been hired as New England’s next head coach, replacing Jerod Mayo. Ben Johnson, Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich were also interviewed for the job. This will be Vrabel’s second time as a head coach after he spent six seasons with the Titans from 2018-23. FOX Sports analyst Rob Gronkowski said his former teammate “is going to keep everyone accountable” in New England.

San Francisco 49ers (OC)

• The 49ers will promote Klay Kubiak from offensive passing game specialist to offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan said at his end-of-season press conference. Kubiak will be the first official offensive coordinator under Shanahan since Mike McDaniel in 2021, though Shanahan will still call plays.

Firings

Atlanta Falcons (DC, DL)

• The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers on Jan. 11 following first-year coach Raheem Morris’ sharp criticism of his defense’s disappointing finish. The Falcons (8-9) missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season following a 44-38 overtime loss to Carolina in Week 18.

Carolina Panthers (S, OLB, QC)

• The Panthers fired a few assistant coaches after surrendering 534 points, the most in a 17-game season. Safeties coach Bert Watts, outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu and quality control coach Bobby Maffei are all out, while defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will remain.

Chicago Bears (HC)

• The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus after two-plus seasons on Nov. 29. Chicago went 14-32 during his tenure, including a 4-8 record with him at the helm in 2024. Thomas Brown, the team’s interim offensive coordinator at the time, is serving as the interim coach.

Cincinnati Bengals (DC, LB, DL, OL)

• The Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who has held the position since 2019.  They also dismissed linebackers coach James Bettcher, defensive line coach Marion Hobby and offensive line coach Frank Pollack.

Cleveland Browns (OC, OL)

• The Browns fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson. The Browns, who finished 3-14, were last in points (15.2 per game) and 28th in total yards (300.8) per game this season.

Dallas Cowboys (HC)

• Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys weren’t able to agree to a new deal and are parting ways. The Bears previously requested an interview with McCarthy but were denied during the Cowboys’ exclusive negotiating window with the head coach. McCarthy completed his interview with Chicago after his Cowboys contract expired. The Saints also reportedly have interest in McCarthy. As for the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones has spoken with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders about the team’s vacancy, with discussions expected to continue, according to FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Sanders is considered a top candidate, though the Cowboys plan to interview others as part of the process, according to Schultz. Those candidates include former Jets coach Robert Saleh and Seahawks assistant coach Leslie Frazier, per ESPN.

Indianapolis Colts (DC)

• The Colts announced they had parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley one day after their season ended. Bradley, a longtime NFL defensive coordinator and former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, had been with the Colts since 2022. Indianapolis’ defense ranked No. 29 in yards allowed in 2024.

Jacksonville Jaguars (HC)

• The Jaguars have decided to move on from head coach Doug Pederson after a second straight disappointing season. Jacksonville went 4-13 this year, and Pederson lost 18 of his last 23 games.

Las Vegas Raiders (HC)

• The Raiders have parted ways with head coach Antonio Pierce. The 46-year-old was hired by the team in 2022 to serve as linebackers coach, but was elevated to interim head coach in 2023, following the firing of Josh McDaniels. The Raiders went 4-13 this season under Pierce in 2024, finishing fourth in the AFC West.
• Las Vegas has fired general manager Tom Telesco after just one season. Telesco was previously the general manager of the Chargers from 2013-23.

Miami Dolphins (ST, WR)

• The Dolphins have fired special teams coordinator Danny Crossman and wide receivers coach/pass game specialist Wes Welker. Miami’s special teams unit ranked near the bottom of the league the past three seasons and was heavily penalized in 2024. Welker, a 12-year NFL wide receiver, was hired in 2022 and helped the Dolphins to one of the best passing offenses in the league his first two seasons. Miami’s passing attack took a step back in 2024.

New England Patriots (HC)

• The Patriots are parting ways with head coach Jerod Mayo after one season as the successor to Bill Belichick. New England finished the season 4-13, last in the AFC East.

New Orleans Saints (HC)

• The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after two-plus seasons on Nov. 4. New Orleans went 18-25 during Allen’s tenure, losing seven straight games to fall to 2-7 before parting ways with its head coach. Saints assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is serving as the interim coach.

New York Jets (HC, GM)

• The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after three-plus seasons on Oct. 8. New York went 20-36 during Saleh’s tenure, going 2-3 to start the 2024 season before dismissing him. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is serving as the interim coach.
• The Jets fired general manager Joe Douglas after five-plus seasons on Nov. 19. New York failed to make the postseason once throughout Douglas’ tenure, holding a losing record in each season. Senior personnel advisor Phil Savage is serving as the interim general manager.

San Francisco 49ers (DC, ST)

• The 49ers fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, who had held the job since 2022. San Francisco ranked last in the league in expected points added on special teams, while kicker Jake Moody connected on just 70.6% of his field goals.
• The Niners have a vacancy at defensive coordinator for the third straight offseason after moving on from Nick Sorensen. However, they still want to keep Sorensen, who has experience coaching special teams, on staff.

Seattle Seahawks (OC)

• The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season on Jan. 6. Seattle’s offense ranked 14th in yards and 18th in scoring during the season, but had some struggles in the season’s homestretch. The Seahawks also ranked 28th in rushing.

Tennessee Titans (GM)

• The Titans fired executive vice president/general manager Ran Carthon after two seasons on Jan. 7. Tennessee’s decision came after the franchise secured the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans were one of the worst teams in the league during Carthon’s two seasons at the helm, going a combined 9-23.

Staying put

Carolina Panthers (DC)

• Head coach Dave Canales said defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will return next season. Carolina’s defense allowed 31.4 points per game, the sixth-most in league history.

Cleveland Browns (HC, GM)

• Despite finishing last in the AFC North, the Browns are expected to bring back both head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, according to ESPN. Stefanski, a two-time AP Coach of the Year, has brought the Browns to the playoffs twice in his five seasons in Cleveland.

Indianapolis Colts (HC, GM)

• The Colts closed out their season with an overtime win against the Jaguars, finishing with an 8-9 record and missing out on the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Soon after, team owner Jim Irsay affirmed his commitment to head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard. Both will be back next season.

Miami Dolphins (HC, GM)

• The Dolphins will be running it back with their head coach and general manager following a disappointing 8-9 season. Head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will remain in their roles for the 2025 season, the team announced on Jan. 5.

New York Giants (HC, GM)

• The Giants announced that head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen would return for the 2025 season.

Head coach interviews

Chicago Bears

• Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown (interviewed)
• Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
• Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (interviewed)
• Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver (interviewed)
• Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (interviewed)
• Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (will interview)
• Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (interviewed)
• Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka (interviewed)
• Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (interviewed)
• Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (interview requested)
• Former Stanford coach/Broncos senior personnel exec David Shaw (interviewed)
• Former Titans coach Mike Vrabel (interviewed)
• Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll (interviewed)
• Iowa State coach Matt Campbell (will interview)
• Former Panthers/Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (interviewed)
• Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman (team wants to interview)

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen (interviewed)
• Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (interviewed)
• Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
• Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (interviewed)
• Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (interview requested)
• Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interview requested)
• Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham (interviewed)
• Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh (interviewed)
• Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (will interview)
• Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (interview requested)

Las Vegas Raiders

• Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (will interview)
• Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interview requested)
• Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (interview requested)
• Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (interview requested)
• Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh (interview requested)
• Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (interview requested)
• Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (interview requested)

New Orleans Saints 

• Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (interview requested)
• Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interview requested)
• Former Stanford coach/Broncos senior personnel exec David Shaw (interview requested)
• Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
• Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka (interviewed)
• Broncos QBs coach Davis Webb (interview requested)

New York Jets

• Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel (interviewed)
• Former Panthers/Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (interviewed)
• Former Jets/Bills head coach Rex Ryan (interviewed)
• Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (will interview)
• Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown (interview requested)
• Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interview requested)
• Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (interviewed)
• Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (interview requested)
• 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese (interview requested)
• Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
• Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (interviewed)
• Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik (interview requested)
• Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi (interviewed)
• Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (interviewed)
• Maryland head coach Mike Locksley (interviewed)
• Jets interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich (interviewed)

General manager interviews

New York Jets

• Former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff (interviewed)
• Former Titans general manager Jon Robinson (interviewed)
• Senior Bowl director/former NFL scout Jim Nagy (interviewed)
• Former Commanders/Eagles director of pro personnel Louis Riddick (interviewed)
• Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby (interviewed)
• Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi (interviewed)
• Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown (interviewed)
• Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg (interviewed)
• Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan (interviewed)
• Rams senior personnel executive Ray Farmer (interviewed)
• Broncos assistant general manager Darren Mougey (interviewed)
• Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark (interviewed)
• Lions special assistant to the president, CEO & chairperson Chris Spielman (interviewed)
• Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson (interviewed)
• Bills assistant general manager Brian Gaine (interviewed)

Tennessee Titans

• Browns assistant general manager Catherine Hickman (interviewed)
• Seahawks senior director of player personnel Matt Berry (interviewed)
• Dolphins senior personnel executive Reggie McKenzie (interviewed)
• Former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff (interviewed)
• Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek (interviewed)
• Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds (interviewed)
• Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray (interviewed)
• Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi (interviewed)
• Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham (interviewed)
• Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan (interviewed)

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