After a relatively quiet Black Monday which saw only two firings, the head coaching market in the NFL is getting even wilder. At this point numerous coaches around the league have either been fired, or are taking new roles — and it could result in one of the most erratic coaching carousels we’ve seen in years.
We previously looked at the coaches who could be on their way out, but here is a complete look at the coaches who now learned they won’t be returning in 2024.
Arthur Smith fired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons
Falcons have fired Arthur Smith, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2024
Smith didn’t even make it five minutes into Monday without learning his fate. The coach of the Falcons was thought to be safe barring a “major collapse,” which came in the form of back-to-back blowout losses to the Bears and Saints respectively to close out the season.
A disappointing tenure in Atlanta, Smith limped to a 21-30 record over three seasons — and struggled to develop a vision for the team over his time there. The Falcons’ passing game failed to develop, despite investing back-to-back first round picks in Kyle Pitts and Drake London. Even do-everything running back Bijan Robinson couldn’t turn this offense around.
Ultimately Smith’s fate is inexorably tied to his attempts to turn Desmond Ridder into a starting NFL quarterback. He was unable to develop the same kind of success on offense that he had in Tennessee as offensive coordinator, and that was hid biggest downfall.
— James Dator
Ron Rivera fired as head coach of the Washington Commanders
As many expected, Ron Rivera was dismissed as the head coach of the Washington Commanders. The team made one playoff stint under his leadership in Washington, when they won the division back in 2020 with a 7-10 record.
Sweeping changes are underway in Washington. New owner Josh Harris has enlisted Bob Myers, a two-time NBA Executive of the Year, to help turn the organization around.
Mike Vrabel fired as head coach of the Tennessee Titans
On Tuesday, word broke that the Tennessee Titans had parted ways with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel, per sources.
Vrabel led Tennessee to four consecutive winning seasons after arriving in 2018, but the Titans have experienced back-to-back frustrating seasons, finishing multiple games under .500 both times.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2024
As noted above, Vrabel led the Titans to four-straight winning seasons at the start of his tenure in Tennessee, and the team made a surprising run to the AFC Championship Game during the 2019-2020 season, before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, despite the early success the Titans have struggled the past two seasons, finishing 7-10 during the 2022-2023 season, and 6-11 this past year.
What could be next for Vrabel? Keep an eye on New England. While we await word on the future of Bill Belichick in Foxborough, should the Patriots go in a different direction Vrabel — who played eight years in New England and won three Super Bowls — could be an option.
Pete Carroll out as head coach in Seattle
One of the longest-tenured coaches in the NFL is seeing his run come to an end.
According to multiple reports — ESPN’s Adam Schefter had them first — Pete Carroll is out as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. However, he will remain with the team as an “advisor,” according to a statement from Seahawks chair Jody Allen:
Carroll put together an impressive resume during his time in Seattle, with a 137-89 record overall, two Super Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl win.
A name to watch? Dan Quinn. The current Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator spent a number of years in Seattle under Carroll, first as an assistant head coach/defensive line coach and later as a defensive coordinator. Quinn has been linked to a number of head coach jobs over the past few days, but his experience in Seattle — and relationship with Carroll —could make this a smooth transition.
