NFL HEAD COACH PAIRINGS 2025

CHICAGO BEARS

BEN JOHNSON LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

The Bears are once again looking for a HC  and their list should start with the hottest name in the cycle, Lions’ OC Ben Johnson. The offensive mastermind has turned Detroit’s offense into one of the best in the league highlighted by the best scoring offense at just over 33 points per game. Not only has Johnson done a phenomenal job with the offense but he has helped develop QB Jared Goff into one of the more efficient passers in the league while also coordinating the best RB duo this season.  

Chicago has one of the younger offenses in the league led by rookies QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze who both had up and down seasons but have sky high ceilings just looking to be coached right. Enter Ben Johnson. While some may preach that they need a culture changer with loads of experience, there is just much importance on doing something that they havent done in the last decade, develop at QB. The hope is that Johnson can provide more a culture shift and an identity to the offense and if he can achieve both, the Bears may finally have the coach they’ve been needing since Love Smith. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

MIKE VRABEL BROWN’S CONSULTANT

After the surprise departure of first time HC Jerod Mayo, there is now no easier pairing this offseason than the New England Patriots and Mike Vrabel. The former Titans HC has been a consultant this season with the Cleveland Browns just looking for the right opportunity to hop back into coaching again and may’ve lucked into the perfect situation. Not only does Vrabel have tremendous history with the team as a former Patriot during their historic run but that also means he’s learned from one of the best coaches in history in Bill Belichick which only gives him more knowledge in a possible reunion. 

The Patriots are set up nicely with their QB of the future on the team in Drake Maye along with boatloads of cap space and a top 5 draft pick cementing the opening as of the best this offseason. Vrabel has experience turning around franchises with this no sense attitude like he did in Tennessee so if owner Robert Kraft wants to make a statement hire, why not bring back one of your own! 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

LIAM COEN BUCCANEERS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Jacksonville is an interesting case and quite frankly should be higher on the list of good openings. The team decided to part with HC Doug Pederson who failed to build the Jaguars into a playoff team like he did in Philadelphia, but the head scratcher is their retaining of GM Trent Baalke who seems to have survived now two HC firings. The Jaguars could look to go into a new direction like a defensive minded coach in Aaron Glenn or Brian Flores but instead stick to the offensive side with Buccaneers’ OC Liam Coen. 

Coen has had a meteoric rise this season turning Tampa Bay into a high-powered offense with QB Baker Mayfield and could look to do the same in Jacksonville with Trevor Lawrence. The former first overall pick hasn't had the best luck with HCs since being drafted but things could change if they pair him with Coen who seems to be a good developer of QBs. Jacksonville has too much talent to be picking once again in the top 5 and if Coen can turn that ship around, the Jaguars could be a good team to watch in the AFC for a long time. 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

AARON GLENN LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

New Orleans is not in the most favorable positions due to their questionable handling of the salary cap and with some of their best players nearing the end, they could be on the verge of a complete rebuild looking for a reset with a fresh face at HC. Enter Lions’ DC Aaron Glenn. The former Saints DB coach has become of the league’s top defensive minds and is even more admiring since his defense is plagued with injuries yet still fighting every week and winning games. Glenn seems to be beloved by his players and it would also be a welcoming sign for a team in rebuild to bring back one of their own.  

While they may have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball, they are still a talented team with a veteran QB in Derek Carr who has shown to be tough as nails and could lead this team into a tough 2025 season. The Saints could look in a new direction and focus on an offensive coach but if they don’t, they should look no further than Glenn who might be a great fit for their culture and the city as a former player and coach. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

PETE CARROLL FORMER NFL HEAD COACH

Las Vegas needs a massive shakeup with their next HC after a one and done with former player turned HC Antonio Pierce and their guy could be none other than former Seattle HC Pete Carroll. The 73-year-old has expressed getting back into coaching after a year off and could be the guy to get the Raiders back into relevancy. Some thought they had their HC for the long haul when they brought in Jon Gruden but after some disagreements, they parted ways and have been in search of their next leader. Not only is Carroll a proven winner and champion level HC but also a culture builder which could do wonders for the Raiders not just this season but beyond 2025. The main question that must be answered is what the plan after Carroll who is at the end of his long career and may be last another 3-5 years before he considers retirement. Does he hire his eventual successor as his OC or DC? Can he coach longer than 5 years? If Vegas gets these questions answered then Carroll could be the legitimate coach, they need to steer them in the right direction. 

NEW YORK JETS

REX RYAN FORMER NFL HEAD COACH

Let’s just pause for a moment and think about what it would be like to see former HC Rex Ryan back in the league coaching the New York Jets. In all honesty while this may be a long shot to happen, I truly don’t know who the Jets will target. After the disappointing tenure of Robert Saleh, the Jets failed to make the playoffs for a second year with future hall of fame QB Aaron Rodgers and decided it was time to move on from the defensive coach in hopes to lure a fresh perspective to New York.  

History has shown us that coaching in New York is not for everyone which is why Ryan has this a perfect pairing, but the big question will how his vision for the roster long term. The Jets have some young cornerstones like WR Garrett Wilson, DL Quinnen Williams and CB Sauce Gardner but the QB position is headlined by Rodgers who could retire any moment and really no one else. Ryan has the chops to return to New York and lead the Jets and their defense, but he must figure out the offense or else his time might look like Saleh.