Last year, 10 NFL teams hired new head coaches. So far, the vacancy count sits at five in 2023. Last year’s Saints and Buccaneers moves, however, showed these job openings can expand at unexpected points. The Rams may or may not join this list soon.
Listed below are the head coaching candidates that have been linked to each of the teams with vacancies, along with their current status. If and when other teams decide to make head coaching changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here is the current breakdown:
Arizona Cardinals
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Cardinals): Mentioned as candidate
- Sean Payton, former head coach (Saints): Mentioned as candidate
Carolina Panthers
- Jim Caldwell, former head coach (Lions): Interviewed
- Ken Dorsey, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Discussed position with team
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interview requested
- Frank Reich, former head coach (Colts): Interview expected
- Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview requested
- Steve Wilks, interim head coach (Panthers): To interview 1/10
Denver Broncos
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Interviewed 1/9
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): To interview 1/17
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview requested
- Frank Reich, former head coach (Colts): Mentioned as candidate; team moving in different direction?
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Sean Payton, former head coach (Saints): Planning interview; Broncos, Saints in agreement on trade compensation
Houston Texans
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interview requested
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Early frontrunner?
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Not interested in interview request?
- Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview requested
Indianapolis Colts
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interview requested
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Mentioned as candidate
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Jeff Saturday, interim head coach (Colts): Interview expected
- Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview requested