The NFL coaching carousel is in full force as teams are looking to improve their chances to reach Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. While some franchises are searching for their next head coach, others have an opening for an offensive or defensive coordinator. Ten teams are looking for an offensive coordinator, while six need a defensive coordinator.
We’re offering a one-stop shop for the latest coordinator openings around the NFL. These positions will be gobbled up quickly as the postseason comes to an end and head coaching vacancies are filled. It’s important for teams to have their coordinators in place to begin scouting free agents and NFL draft prospects.
We’ve included teams that have fired their head coach, and therefore are likely to change their coordinators as well.
NFL Offensive Coordinator Openings
Arizona Cardinals
2022 OC: Vacant (head coach Kliff Kingsbury was the play-caller)
2023 Outlook: The Cardinals have to get the most out of quarterback Kyler Murray moving forward. They decided to hire Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as their head coach, leaving his choice for OC to be massively important. Unfortunately, Murray is healing from a torn ACL and has a porous group of blockers in front of him.
Baltimore Ravens
2022 OC: Greg Roman
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2023 Outlook: Roman wasn’t a bad offensive coordinator, but he proved to be too one-dimensional with Lamar Jackson at his disposal. The Ravens need more balance to keep Jackson healthy and more receiving talent to give their next OC the chance to scheme explosive plays. This offense can’t just be the Jackson show if he’s back in 2023.
Update: Baltimore hired Georgia Bulldogs OC Todd Monken as the OC. Monken had success in Tampa Bay previously and runs an aggressively vertical passing game that also favors power running. If they can get the right receivers, this unit will be more dynamic.
Dallas Cowboys
2022 OC: Kellen Moore
2023 Outlook: Moore had become maligned as the Cowboys’ offense stagnated in 2022-23, but the team deals with more challenges than most franchises. Head coach Mike McCarthy is an offensive mind, and owner Jerry Jones could be a factor in how the unit works as well. Will Jones commit to pouring money into the offense after stripping it down last offseason?
Update: The Cowboys decided to promote Brian Schottenheimer from within the building to their OC opening. With McCarthy and Schottenheimer taking more responsibility, I’m concerned Dak Prescott will be set up for a regression season if this isn’t a strong offseason in terms of adding talent.
Indianapolis Colts
2022 OC: Marcus Brady
2023 Outlook: The Colts’ offense delivered a massive letdown season in 2022, as quarterback Matt Ryan was clearly washed, and the offensive line lost the fierce edge they once demolished defenses with. The Colts are well-positioned to add a young quarterback in the draft and start over with a nucleus headlined by Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. Fixing the line and finding a quarterback have to be the priorities.
Update: The Colts hired former Eagles OC Shane Steichen as their head coach, meaning Steichen will be in charge of the offense. Expect Steichen to favor a young, developmental quarterback he can rebuild the unit around.
Los Angeles Chargers
2022 OC: Joe Lombardi
2023 Outlook: Lombardi was well-maligned for keeping Justin Herbert in a traditional offense, but his conservative unit was similar to Oregon’s approach with Herbert. I think that was on purpose in order to keep the offense efficient and limit the chaos that happens when Herbert takes on too much responsibility. The success or lack thereof of the next hire will ultimately determine head coach Brandon Staley’s fate.
Update: The Chargers hired former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to the same position, just days after he was let go from Dallas. Moore helped create a top-six scoring offense in three of his four seasons in Dallas. It’ll be fascinating to see how he controls an offense uninterrupted by Mike McCarthy.
Los Angeles Rams
2022 OC: Liam Coen
2023 Outlook: Head coach Sean McVay is back for the 2023 season, so with Coen opting to return to Kentucky over staying with the Rams, McVay should opt for a more experienced coach who can take off some of the burden that has clearly led to some burnout. His next OC will also benefit from a healthier unit with Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Allen Robinson back from season-ending injuries.
Update: McVay added Mike LaFleur as his OC, which is a risky move considering he was fired for being in over his head. Granted, LaFleur won’t have as much on his plate under McVay as he did as the play-caller in New York, but will he be helpful in growing the unit?
New York Jets
2022 OC: Mike LaFleur
2023 Outlook: It’s impossible to blame LaFleur for everything wrong within the Jets offense, including the lack of development from quarterback Zach Wilson. However, LaFleur highlighted the perils of hiring a young option, as he seemed to be in over his head trying to juggle a gaggle of playmakers. Head coach Robert Saleh should look for the best overall candidate for his next OC, not necessarily someone who is experienced but mediocre or set on developing Wilson.
Update: The Jets hired former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett for their OC. Are the Jets trying to lure Aaron Rodgers? This will be one of the most questionable hires of the offseason if they don’t.
New England Patriots
2022 OC: Vacant (offensive line coach Matt Patricia was the play-caller)
2023 Outlook: The Patriots’ offense shockingly functioned as if a former defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator were running it. New England needs a dedicated scheme and game planner in order to maximize quarterback Mac Jones. Restoring their once-powerful running game and fleshing out their crowded receiving room would also bring more clarity to this team’s desired identity.
Update: The Patriots hired Alabama Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien as their OC. O’Brien previously worked as an assistant coach in New England from 2007-2011, and also coached Jones in college.
Philadelphia Eagles
2022 OC: Shane Steichen
2023 Outlook: With Steichen now in Indianapolis, the next OC has their work cut out for them as they need to continue evolving the unit. The good news is the Eagles are loaded across the board in terms of talent and have a high floor. But pushing Jalen Hurts to be even better will be difficult.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2022 OC: Byron Leftwich
2023 Outlook: Leftwich was scapegoated for Tom Brady’s decline in play and the numerous injuries across the offensive line. Firing him looks like a desperate plea for Brady to come back for one more season. The next OC will inherit an impressive set of playmakers but a potential nightmare at quarterback even if Brady does return and doesn’t perform better.
Update: Tampa opted for Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales after seeing his work with Geno Smith and Russell Wilson.
Tennessee Titans
2022 OC: Todd Downing
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2023 Outlook: Titans head coach Mike Vrabel won the power struggle with GM Jon Robinson, and we’re about to see which direction he wants to take this team. Downing struggled to create open receivers with a limited cast of talent and failed to construct a friendly scheme for rookie quarterback Malik Willis. The next OC may have a different veteran to work with under center than Ryan Tannehill but will benefit from star rusher Derrick Henry.
Update: Tim Kelly was elevated to the OC position after he was the team’s passing game coordinator last year. He previously worked as the OC in Houston but his unit was never overly creative even with Deshaun Watson at QB.
Washington Commanders
2022 OC: Scott Turner
2023 Outlook: I didn’t think Turner deserved to be fired, but after Washington missed the playoffs for the second-straight year, someone’s head probably needed to roll. Turner got the most out of a unit with a mediocre offensive line and quarterback room. It’ll be fascinating to see if the next OC has to start Sam Howell or if they’ll have the influence to pursue a veteran.
NFL Defensive Coordinator Openings
Arizona Cardinals
2022 DC: Vance Joseph
2023 Outlook: Joseph served as the interim head coach after Kingsbury was fired and is considered a candidate for the full-time job. However, there’s little in his background to suggest he’s more than a mediocre DC. He’s produced three top-20 scoring defenses in seven years as a DC or head coach.
Update: Arizona hired Gannon as head coach, so he’ll oversee the team’s defense. Joseph has been allowed to look elsewhere for a job.
Atlanta Falcons
2022 DC: Dean Pees
2023 Outlook: Pees retired at the end of the 2022 season, leaving head coach Arthur Smith in a position to find another veteran coach or pivot to a younger alternative. The Falcons have a bare cupboard on defense, so any coach will have their hands full trying to develop a foundation from their offseason additions. Flush with cap space, this unit could potentially turn around quickly.
Update: Atlanta poached Ryan Nielsen from the Saints to be their DC. He spent the last six seasons in New Orleans as the defensive line coach before promoting to co-DC in 2022.
Carolina Panthers
2022 DC: Steve Wilks
2023 Outlook: Wilks ripped off an impressive 6-6 run after the Panthers fired Matt Rhule, getting the team to the brink of an NFC South title. The 53-year-old is in consideration for the job, but he’s only been an NFL DC for three seasons. The Panthers may view him as a fallback to other options who have a stronger offensive resume and the ability to develop a franchise quarterback.
Update: The Panthers shockingly lured former Broncos DC Ejiro Evero to join Frank Reich’s staff. We’ll see this unit reach a new level under Evero if he can replicate the effectiveness he found in Denver.
Denver Broncos
2022 DC: Ejiro Evero
2023 Outlook: Losing Evero would hurt, so it’ll be interesting to see whether the Broncos can keep him as the DC if he’s not outright promoted to head coach. He got the most out of a talented unit that was compensating for a horribly ineffective offense. Evero is only 42, and he’ll be a valued free agent if he’s not retained.
Houston Texans
2022 DC: Vacant (head coach Lovie Smith was the play-caller)
2023 Outlook: The Texans desperately need an injection of talent and a younger coach to grow with their developing foundational pieces on both sides of the ball. Smith was a placeholder for the next staff but was given very little to work with. The next DC must identify playmakers and build depth over time.
Update: Houston was able to pry DeMeco Ryans as their head coach, and Ryans figures to be a massive voice in the defensive room considering his work with the 49ers.
Minnesota Vikings
2022 DC: Ed Donatell
2023 Outlook: Donatell was dreadful in 2022, producing the 28th-scoring defense and 31st-defense in yards allowed. The 65-year-old has 11 years of DC experience but looked to be in over his head despite working under Vic Fangio in Denver for three years previously. This unit needs to prioritize getting younger and more explosive as its veteran leaders age.
Update: The Vikings were able to land Brian Flores from the Steelers. Flores runs an extremely aggressive defense that forces turnovers and big plays. But he’ll be working with a unit that is about to undergo a bit of an infusion of youth.
Miami Dolphins
2022 DC: Josh Boyer
2023 Outlook: Miami ran one of the most intense defensive approaches in the league under Boyer, finishing with the third-highest blitz rate in the NFL at 33%. There was no reason to have put his secondary in that much jeopardy considering the investment Miami made into their trenches. The Dolphins might benefit from more of a bend-don’t-break approach than a high-risk one, considering their personnel.
Update: The Dolphins hired Vic Fangio as their DC. This is a home run for Mike McDaniel and his staff. Fangio is the architect of the modern, successful defense looks like. Expect big things out of Dolphins safeties Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, in particular.
Philadelphia Eagles
2022 DC: Jonathan Gannon
2023 Outlook: Losing Gannon might not be a huge deal. I wasn’t impressed with his inability to adjust mid-game despite the immense talent at his disposal. The Eagles should be able to lure just about anyone they’d like if they look externally.
San Francisco 49ers
2022 DC: DeMeco Ryans
2023 Outlook: Like the Eagles, who wouldn’t want to work with the tremendously talented 49ers’ defensive unit? This group already knows what works but the next DC will have to replicate Ryans’ stellar talent development. Falling short will lead to noticeable results.