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The regular season ends Sunday and there are already vacancies for three head coaches and six general managers.
Under league rule, all interviews have been conducted practically so far. That changes on Monday, when a head coach or GM candidate whose team is not in the playoffs or is currently not employed by an NFL team is permitted to speak in person, subject to the new COVID-19 rules on masks, social distancing, etc. The head coach and GM candidates whose teams are still playing are subject to the usual restrictions on when to first interview.
In many cases, GM research is ahead of head coach research right now. But a wave of interview cards are expected to come out from Sunday afternoon, with Zoom interviews starting Monday.
Here’s a look at the situation, according to sources:
Atlanta Falcons (HC and GM): The Falcons interviewed interim head coach Raheem Morris for the full-time job on Friday and are expected to launch a broad search from Monday. Among the candidates Atlanta has sought out are Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles – who was a finalist the last time he came out – as well as Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Rams DC Brandon Staley.
Former Texans GM Rick Smith is seen as a strong candidate for the GM role and has had a relationship with President and CEO Rich McKay since their days on the competition committee. However, the Falcons are also expected to request interviews with several first-time candidates, including Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown, Saints vice president / assistant general manager of professional staff Terry Fontenot, scouting director. of Rams College Brad Holmes, deputy director of player personnel for the Bears. Champ Kelly, Vikings assistant general manager George Paton and Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen. With McKay and his fellow former CEOs Ruston Webster and Phil Emery on staff, there would be a support system to help a young executive grow in the position.
Carolina Panthers (GM): Coach Matt Rhule will have a strong influence on the process, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they hire someone with a connection to him, as they did by bringing in Pat Stewart as personnel manager. of players last year. The Panthers line up an interview with former Giants GM Jerry Reese, who worked with Rhule in New York in 2012. They are also expected to interview Vice President / Assistant GM of University Staff Jeff Ireland and Deputy GM of Colts Ed Dodds. Other names to watch out for include 49ers vice president of player staff Adam Peters – who played for Rhule at UCLA in 2001 – as well as Seahawks vice president of football operations Scott Fitterer and Joe Schoen from Buffalo.
Detroit Lions (HC and GM): They have already interviewed seven GM candidates – including former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who remains in the mix – and are expected to interview a handful more. They have planned a potential race at Seahawks GM John Schneider, while others of interest include Indy’s Ed Dodds, Fitterer, Terry Fontenot, Brad Holmes, Vice President of Steelers Football Administration Omar Khan, Vice President from the staff of Cowboys players Will McClay, George Paton and Eliot Wolf, a front office consultant for the Patriots.
The Lions also quietly began their search for a head coach by interviewing former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis on Thursday. DC 49ers Robert Saleh, originally from Dearborn, is seen as a strong candidate for the head coach job. But the Lions are also expected to seek this position on a large scale, entering up to 10 interview cards for head coach candidates for this position, with OC Chiefs Eric Bienemy, the Saints’ assistant head coach / coach. tight ends Dan Campbell and Titans. OC Arthur Smith among potential targets. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Lions at least explore college head coaches such as Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald. Interim coach Darrell Bevell is also expected to get an interview for the full-time position.
Houston Texans (HC and GM): When Bill O’Brien was fired, attention immediately turned to Eric Bienemy, and he should be interviewed. They have previously interviewed former Lions coach Jim Caldwell and Marvin Lewis. Other coaches to watch include OC Panthers Joe Brady, Ohio State Ryan Day, DC Colts Matt Eberflus, ILB Patriots coach Jerod Mayo, OC Patriots Josh McDaniels and Tennessee Arthur Smith. But the Texans plan is to hire the general manager first. They’ve interviewed their director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick and are expected to interview at least a handful more, including Seahawks executive Alonzo Highsmith. Other interesting names include: Professional Staff Bills Director Malik Boyd, Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio, Ravens Football Research Director Scott Cohen, Indy’s Ed Dodds, Vice- Dallas Seahawks Chairman of the Staff Trent Kirchner and Will McClay.
Jacksonville Jaguars (GM): The consensual high-level position is also the one that is most mysterious, and that may depend on whether the Jaguars land a renowned head coach who could choose their own staff member. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer lined up a staff, saying he intended to land in Jacksonville. Otherwise Meyer, the Jaguars could sue his successor with the Buckeyes, Ryan Day. No final decision has been made on current coach Doug Marrone, who still has a year on his contract, but they are seen as likely to go their separate ways, assuming Jacksonville can achieve one of his goals. The Jaguars have already had two interviews for the post of general manager to Jerry Reese and Louis Riddick. According to the coach, internal candidate Trent Baalke could also be considered.
Washington Football Team (GM): Washington can win the NFC East by beating the Eagles on Sunday night, and coach Ron Rivera has said GM’s research will wait until the end of the season. Common sense in league circles is former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney – who was sacked last month and has remained tight with Rivera since his days in Carolina – is one of the top contenders. Other names should be considered, including Titans vice president of player staff Ryan Cowden, 49ers senior staff manager Martin Mayhew, Joe Schoen of Buffalo and Rick Smith. If Kyle Smith – the best staff member since Bruce Allen left – goes elsewhere, Washington could add another staff veteran like Jimmy Raye III.
The Bengals are expected to keep coach Zac Taylor, although he will likely have some staff changes. … Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn wants to coach somewhere in 2021, possibly as a defensive coordinator. … Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell is expected to join Dan Mullen of Florida, Matt Campbell of Iowa State and PJ Fleck of Minnesota among other college coaches who are attracting NFL interest. … Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn is expected to receive at least one interview. … Chiefs assistant director of player personnel Ryan Poles is a low-key choice for interviews.
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