The NFL’s Black Monday is here. Head coaches, assistants, and general managers from coast to coast will spend much of the day on pins and needles. Three coaches have already been fired this cycle, and several more will join them in the unemployment line this week.
For the latest head coaching updates, rumors, confirmed interviews, and more, check out our 2022 NFL Head Coach Tracker.
2022 NFL Black Monday News and Rumors: AFC
Here’s the latest rundown of what we know about the 18 teams that missed the playoffs as they begin a long offseason.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ late-season swoon cost them a spot in the playoffs, but coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta are expected to return after an injury-ravaged 2021 season.
Cleveland Browns
NFL Network reported Sunday that the Browns plan to roll with Baker Mayfield in 2022, which means that Mayfield, coach Kevin Stefanski, and general manager Andrew Berry would all be back after grossly underperforming in 2021. The Browns now look ahead to the 2022 offseason.
Denver Broncos
Broncos general manager George Paton’s search for a replacement for Vic Fangio will kick into high gear this week. The entire Broncos coaching staff is unsure if they’ll be back in 2022.
UPDATED 1:40 PM ET: The Broncos’ search will reportedly include Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, who is a hot name this cycle. Mayo, 35, has been an assistant for the Patriots the last three seasons following a eight-year playing career, all spent with New England. The Broncos have requested an interview with Mayo, per ESPN.
UPDATED 2:17 PM ET: Add former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn to the Broncos’ list of candidates. Denver has also requested an interview with the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
UPDATED 6:08 PM ET: NFL Network reports that Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is another candidate for the Broncos job. Denver would like to set up an interview with him.
UPDATED 7:18 PM ET: Two other names linked to the Broncos: Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. NFL Network reports Denver has requested an interview with both.
Houston Texans
General manager Nick Caserio is the key player of the entire 2022 NFL offseason. Where will Deshaun Watson end up? What will the Texans get in return? Those are questions for another day. First, Caserio has to figure out what to do with David Culley.
If they do decide to move on from Culley, the Texans could look to reunite Caserio with Josh McDaniels. With McDaniels now in the playoffs with New England and working with a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones, will he be willing to make the jump to Houston with their uncertainty at QB?
UPDATED 11:01 AM ET: There will be no word on Culley’s fate Monday, NFL Network reported. The team wants to first go through an organizational evaluation before making any decision.
Indianapolis Colts
We’re not saying that people should get fired in Indy. But if you were looking for a scenario in which people would get fired, losing your last two — including to the horrible Jaguars — in the last two weeks of the season to miss the playoffs could qualify. Frank Reich and Chris Ballard need to answer for the decision to give up a first-round pick for Carson Wentz.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags have had a job opening at head coach for a month now, and no one seriously believes interim coach Darrell Bevell will stay on. Jacksonville has already interviewed Doug Pederson, Todd Bowles, Jim Caldwell, Byron Leftwich, and Kellen Moore. Additionally, they have lined up several more meetings, including with Bill O’Brien this week.
Another element to watch is the approach to hiring coordinators. A report by PFN’s NFL Insider and Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline stated that Jacksonville desires Vic Fangio as a defensive coordinator. From Pauline’s hearing, the Jaguars could look to choose the head coach that will work well with Fangio.
UPDATED 11:04 AM ET: NFL Network reports the Jaguars plan to interview Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett later this week.
Los Angeles Chargers
Brandon Staley, what are you doing? He’s got a very long offseason ahead of him after his game-management Sunday night cost his team a playoff spot. Still, it would be a shocker if the Chargers made any major moves after just one year.
Miami Dolphins
UPDATED 9:32 AM ET: An absolute stunner in Miami. Brian Flores is out as Miami Dolphins coach after just three years, ESPN first reported. The Dolphins missed the playoffs after a 1-7 start but still went 9-8 in 2021. GM Chris Grier will remain with the organization.
UPDATED 8:34 PM ET: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Dolphins have requested permission to interview Bills Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll for their HC position.
New York Jets
At some point, the Jets need to hold Joe Douglas accountable for crafting terrible rosters. Is this the year it happens? That’s the most plausible big move coming this offseason. Robert Saleh will get another year in New York.
2022 NFL Black Monday News and Rumors: NFC
The NFC is rife with teams potentially looking for a changing of the guard.
Atlanta Falcons
Coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot are expected to return after a better-than-anticipated first season together in Atlanta. The Falcons still head into the 2022 offseason with uncertainty.
Carolina Panthers
As reported by Pauline on December 30, Matt Rhule looks set to get one more season leading the Panthers. However, that is not a guarantee, per Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, who reported Sunday that Rhule needs to “hire a rock-star offensive coordinator” to save his job.
UPDATED 12:22 PM ET: Rhule not only appears safe, but he’s lining up candidates to replace Joe Brady as Panthers offensive coordinator. NFL Network reports Carolina is expected to ask the Texans for permission to interview assistant Pep Hamilton for their opening.
Chicago Bears
UPDATED 9:20 AM ET: Bears coach Matt Nagy is gone. Chicago made the long-expected change after a 6-11 season, his fourth with the organization. The real uncertainty surrounding the organization is what do they do with general manager Ryan Pace? He constructed a severely overpaid roster in 2021.
UPDATED 9:31 AM ET: The Bears also fired Ryan Pace, as first reported by Adam Schefter. The Bears will now look for both a new head coach and general manager after another tough year in Chicago.
UPDATED 6:53 PM ET: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Bears plan to interview former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.
UPDATED 8:06 PM ET: The Bears have asked permission to interview Browns VP of Player Personnel Glen Cook (per ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin) for GM post. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reports that they have requested an interview with Browns VP of Football Operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for GM position.
UPDATED 8:34 PM ET: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Bears have requested permission to interview Bills Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll for their HC position.
UPDATED 01/11/22: Per Ian Rapoport, the Bears have requested permission to interview Buccaneer’s defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell is safe, but there will be changes to the Lions’ coaching staff in 2022. Among the moves? Replacing Anthony Lynn, who is out after just one year as Campbell’s offensive coordinator. Campbell made it official during his year-end news conference on Monday
Minnesota Vikings
UPDATED 9:16 AM ET: The Vikings are embarking on a complete organizational reboot. NFL Network first reported Coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman have both been fired. Zimmer had been the NFL’s seventh-longest tenured active coach but is out after missing the playoffs for the fifth time in eight seasons. Spielman was the team’s personnel chief since 2012.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have one of the most stable power structures in pro sports, and New Orleans coach Sean Payton deserves an extension for keeping his team in the playoff hunt, considering its quarterback situation.
New York Giants
General manager Dave Gettleman will either retire or be forced into retirement after a hugely disappointing 2021 season, which could put the team in the market for a new general manager. The bigger question is, what do the Giants do with HC Joe Judge, who was terrible down the stretch?
UPDATED 12:10 PM ET: Judge is expected to return for a third season as Giants head coach, according to multiple published reports. Judge has just a 10-23 record as an NFL head coach.
UPDATED 12:45 PM ET: Gettleman formally announced his retirement Monday afternoon.
“It was a privilege to serve as the general manager of the New York Giants the last four years and to have spent so many years of my career with this franchise,” Gettleman said in a statement. “We obviously have not had the on-the-field success I expected, and that is disappointing. However, I have many fond memories here, including two Super Bowl victories, and I wish the team and organization only the best moving forward. There are many good people here who pour their souls into this organization. I am proud to have worked alongside them.”
UPDATED 8:28 PM ET: NFL Network’s Peter Schrager reports that the Giants have sought permission to interview San Francisco 49ers Assistant GM Adam Peters
and San Francisco 49ers Director of Player Personnel Ran Carthon.
Seattle Seahawks
There’s intrigue in the Pacific Northwest for the first time in a decade. Any of these options are more than plausible: coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider are both back, they’re both fired, or Carroll is gone but Schneider stays.
Washington Football Team
Coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew should return, but both will be under real pressure to make 2022 better than 2021. It starts with finding a real quarterback.