The curtains have fallen on the regular season of the NFL in 2023, leaving only one Super Bowl Sunday. While two teams like the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks promoted an active coaching search, several names have surfaced as top candidates ready to be in contention for multiple openings across the league.
Top of the List
Bill Belichick emerges as one of the most sought-after coaches in NFL history after parting amicably with the New England Patriots. Despite the Patriots' struggles in the post-Tom Brady era, the 71-year-old coach remains a formidable boss, attracting attention across the league.
Belichick's knack for managing player personnel at his next potential destination adds an intriguing angle. Despite his age, his coaching ability promises instant credibility to any organization fortunate enough to secure his services.
On the other hand, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson is in the middle of a coaching carousel.
Ben Johnson stands out as a leading candidate. With the Lions winning the division and qualifying for the playoffs in 2023, Johnson's decision to stay in Detroit last season has proven to be insightful.
The 37-year-old coach has contributed significantly to the development of Jared Goff within his offensive scheme, making him a strong contender.
Johnson fits the mold of the modern head coaching candidate: youth, experience on offense and a proven ability to work with a developing core.
Teams looking for a coach for a young core could find Johnson a compelling option over the experienced Belichick.
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Other Market Moving Options
Brian Johnson, who was the Offensive Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, is now Washington's new target. Despite the Eagles' late struggles, Brian Johnson stands out as a top-tier prospect.
After serving as quarterbacks coach the previous two seasons before assuming the role of offensive coordinator in 2023, Johnson deserves credit for turning Jalen Hurts into a legitimate MVP candidate and driving the offensive explosion in 2022.
The 36-year-old former Utah quarterback embodies the characteristics of a contemporary NFL coach, making him the ideal choice for a team bringing in a young quarterback.
Dan Quinn, who was Defensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, didn't last long on the market. The Commanders recently announced his hiring as head coach.
Opting to stay in Dallas last season, Dan Quinn was interviewed by the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
His skillful management has led the Cowboys defense to rank among the top units in the league. With this continued success, Quinn's value is destined to remain high in the current hiring cycle.
With previous head coaching experience, Quinn led the Atlanta Hawks to Super Bowl LI and, despite his defensive focus, demonstrated his ability to oversee a high-caliber offense, exemplified by Matt Ryan winning the Most Valuable Player award in 2016.
Finally, Lou Anarumo, current Defensive Coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, is one of the league's top prospects. He has consistently been a standout in recent coaching hiring cycles.
Last season, he reportedly came close to securing the job with the Cardinals, but ultimately lost to Jonathan Gannon.
While he might have been a top-five prospect in the past, Cincinnati's defensive struggles in 2023 place him just beyond that threshold. However, it's fair to view 2023 as a challenging season for the Bengals overall, directing attention to Anarumo's accomplishments in the previous two seasons.
In both 2021 and 2022, Anarumo led a Bengals defense that ranked in the top ten in points and ground yards.
In 2022, the unit ranked seventh in total yards. Despite recent setbacks, Anarumo remains a defensive maestro and a very worthy candidate for a head coaching position.
