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2025 NFL Black Monday Tracker: Coaches fired and changes

Now that the 2024 NFL regular season has ended, the coaching carousel is in full spin.

Let’s take a look at who’s staying and who’s going, and for those teams with vacancies across the league, who they have their eyes on early in the process.

Hirings

Atlanta Falcons (DC)

  • Jeff Ulbrich is heading to Atlanta to become the Falcons’ defensive coordinator, NFL Media reported. Ulbrich served as the Jets’ defensive coordinator for much of the past four seasons, then became their interim head coach when Robert Saleh was fired in October. New York went 3-9 with Ulbrich in charge, but that came after he helped coordinate one of the league’s best defenses over the past four seasons. The Jets finished third in total defense in 2024, marking the third straight season they had a top-five defense. The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after his first season, in which Atlanta ranked 23rd in yards and points allowed.

Tennessee Titans (GM)

Cleveland Browns (OC, OL)

  • The Browns are promoting Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator, the team announced on Jan. 15. Rees, 32, has quickly risen up the coaching ranks over the last few years. Before serving as the Browns’ pass game specialist and tight ends coach in 2024, he was Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2023 and Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for three seasons (2020-23).
  • The Browns have hired Mike Bloomgren as the new offensive line coach, the team announced on Jan. 8. Bloomgren first coached in the NFL in 2007, joining the Jets as an offensive quality control coach for two seasons. He then moved into an offensive assistant role in 2009 and, in 2010, served as an assistant offensive coordinator. Bloomgren is returning to the NFL after a lengthy stint in the collegiate ranks from 2011-2024 at Stanford and Rice.

New England Patriots (HC)

  • Mike Vrabel is returning to the Patriots, the same franchise he won three Super Bowls with as a player in the 2000s. Vrabel has been hired as New England’s next head coach, replacing Jerod Mayo. Ben Johnson, Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich were also interviewed for the job. This will be Vrabel’s second time as a head coach after he spent six seasons with the Titans from 2018-23. FOX Sports analyst Rob Gronkowski said his former teammate “is going to keep everyone accountable” in New England.

Rob Gronkowski reacts to Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel as head coach | NFL on FOX

San Francisco 49ers (OC)

  • The 49ers will promote Klay Kubiak from offensive passing game specialist to offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan said at his end-of-season press conference. Kubiak will be the first official offensive coordinator under Shanahan since Mike McDaniel in 2021, though Shanahan will still call plays.

Firings

Carolina Panthers (S, OLB, QC)

  • The Panthers fired a few assistant coaches after surrendering 534 points, the most in a 17-game season. Safeties coach Bert Watts, outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu and quality control coach Bobby Maffei are all out, while defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will remain.

Chicago Bears (HC)

  • The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus after two-plus seasons on Nov. 29. Chicago went 14-32 during his tenure, including a 4-8 record with him at the helm in 2024. Thomas Brown, the team’s interim offensive coordinator at the time, is serving as the interim coach.

Cincinnati Bengals (DC, LB, DL, OL)

  • The Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who has held the position since 2019.  They also dismissed linebackers coach James Bettcher, defensive line coach Marion Hobby and offensive line coach Frank Pollack.

Cleveland Browns (OC, OL)

  • The Browns fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson. The Browns, who finished 3-14, were last in points (15.2 per game) and 28th in total yards (300.8) per game this season.

Dallas Cowboys (HC)

Denver Broncos (ST)

  • The Broncos fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica on Jan. 17. Kotwica spent two years on Sean Payton’s staff only to see his tenure blemished by a breakdown in Week 10 that cost the team a vital victory at K.C.

Green Bay Packers (DL)

  • The Packers fired Jason Rebrovich, 46, as defensive line coach less than a week after their loss to Philadelphia in the NFC wild-card playoff round. He spent three seasons working on Matt LaFleur’s Green Bay staff — the outside linebackers coach in 2022, a pass rush specialist in 2023 and defensive line coach this season.

Indianapolis Colts (DC)

  • The Colts announced they had parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley one day after their season ended. Bradley, a longtime NFL defensive coordinator and former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, had been with the Colts since 2022. Indianapolis’ defense ranked No. 29 in yards allowed in 2024.

Jacksonville Jaguars (HC)

  • The Jaguars have decided to move on from head coach Doug Pederson after a second straight disappointing season. Jacksonville went 4-13 this year, and Pederson lost 18 of his last 23 games.

Las Vegas Raiders (HC)

  • The Raiders have parted ways with head coach Antonio Pierce. The 46-year-old was hired by the team in 2022 to serve as linebackers coach, but was elevated to interim head coach in 2023, following the firing of Josh McDaniels. The Raiders went 4-13 this season under Pierce in 2024, finishing fourth in the AFC West.
  • Las Vegas has fired general manager Tom Telesco after just one season. Telesco was previously the general manager of the Chargers from 2013-23.

Miami Dolphins (ST, WR)

  • The Dolphins have fired special teams coordinator Danny Crossman and wide receivers coach/pass game specialist Wes Welker. Miami’s special teams unit ranked near the bottom of the league the past three seasons and was heavily penalized in 2024. Welker, a 12-year NFL wide receiver, was hired in 2022 and helped the Dolphins to one of the best passing offenses in the league his first two seasons. Miami’s passing attack took a step back in 2024.

New Orleans Saints (HC)

  • The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after two-plus seasons on Nov. 4. New Orleans went 18-25 during Allen’s tenure, losing seven straight games to fall to 2-7 before parting ways with its head coach. Saints assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is serving as the interim coach.

New York Jets (HC, GM)

  • The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after three-plus seasons on Oct. 8. New York went 20-36 during Saleh’s tenure, going 2-3 to start the 2024 season before dismissing him. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is serving as the interim coach.
  • The Jets fired general manager Joe Douglas after five-plus seasons on Nov. 19. New York failed to make the postseason once throughout Douglas’ tenure, holding a losing record in each season. Senior personnel advisor Phil Savage is serving as the interim general manager.

San Francisco 49ers (DC, ST)

  • The 49ers fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, who had held the job since 2022. San Francisco ranked last in the league in expected points added on special teams, while kicker Jake Moody connected on just 70.6% of his field goals.
  • The Niners have a vacancy at defensive coordinator for the third straight offseason after moving on from Nick Sorensen. However, they still want to keep Sorensen, who has experience coaching special teams, on staff.

Seattle Seahawks (OC)

  • The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season on Jan. 6. Seattle’s offense ranked 14th in yards and 18th in scoring during the season, but had some struggles in the season’s homestretch. The Seahawks also ranked 28th in rushing.

Staying put

Carolina Panthers (DC)

  • Head coach Dave Canales said defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will return next season. Carolina’s defense allowed 31.4 points per game, the sixth-most in league history.

Cleveland Browns (HC, GM)

  • Despite finishing last in the AFC North, the Browns are expected to bring back both head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, according to ESPN. Stefanski, a two-time AP Coach of the Year, has brought the Browns to the playoffs twice in his five seasons in Cleveland.

Indianapolis Colts (HC, GM)

  • The Colts closed out their season with an overtime win against the Jaguars, finishing with an 8-9 record and missing out on the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Soon after, team owner Jim Irsay affirmed his commitment to head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard. Both will be back next season.

Miami Dolphins (HC, GM)

  • The Dolphins will be running it back with their head coach and general manager following a disappointing 8-9 season. Head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will remain in their roles for the 2025 season, the team announced on Jan. 5.

New York Giants (HC, GM)

  • The Giants announced that head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen would return for the 2025 season.

Head coach interviews

interviewed)

  • Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
  • Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (interviewed)
  • Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver (interviewed)
  • Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (interviewed)
  • Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (interviewed)
  • Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (interviewed)
  • Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka (interviewed)
  • Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (interviewed)
  • Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (interviewed)
  • Former Stanford coach/Broncos senior personnel exec David Shaw (interviewed)
  • Former Titans coach Mike Vrabel (interviewed)
  • Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll (interviewed)
  • Iowa State coach Matt Campbell (will interview)
  • Former Panthers/Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (interviewed)
  • Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interviewed)
  • Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich (interviewed)
  • Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman (team wants to interview)
  • Tennessee State coach/former Titans running back Eddie George (will interview)
  • Bears to interview Eddie George on Sunday for head coaching position | NFL on FOX

    Bears to interview Eddie George on Sunday for head coaching position | NFL on FOX

    Dallas Cowboys

    • Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh (interviewed)
    • Seahawks assistant head coach/former Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier (will interview)
    • Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (interviewed)

    Jacksonville Jaguars

    • Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen (interviewed)
    • Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (interviewed)
    • Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
    • Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (interviewed)
    • Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (interviewed)
    • Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interviewed)
    • Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham (interviewed)
    • Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh (interviewed)
    • Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (interviewed)
    • Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (interviewed)

    Las Vegas Raiders

    • Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (will interview)
    • Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interview requested)
    • Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (interview requested)
    • Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken (interview requested)
    • Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh (interview requested)
    • Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (interview requested)
    • Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (interview requested)
    • Former Panthers/Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (interviewed)

    New Orleans Saints 

    • Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (interviewed)
    • Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interviewed)
    • Former Stanford coach/Broncos senior personnel exec David Shaw (interview requested)
    • Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
    • Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka (interviewed)
    • Broncos QBs coach Davis Webb (interview requested)
    • Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi (interviewed)

    New York Jets

    • Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel (interviewed)
    • Former Panthers/Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (interviewed)
    • Former Jets/Bills head coach Rex Ryan (interviewed)
    • Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (interviewed)
    • Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown (interviewed)
    • Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (interview requested)
    • Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (interviewed)
    • Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (interviewed)
    • 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese (interview requested)
    • Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (interviewed)
    • Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (interviewed)
    • Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik (interviewed)
    • Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi (interviewed)
    • Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (interviewed)
    • Maryland head coach Mike Locksley (interviewed)
    • Jets interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich (interviewed)
    • Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley (interviewed)

    General manager interviews

    New York Jets

    • Former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff (interviewed)
    • Former Titans general manager Jon Robinson (interviewed)
    • Senior Bowl director/former NFL scout Jim Nagy (interviewed)
    • Former Commanders/Eagles director of pro personnel Louis Riddick (interviewed)
    • Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby (interviewed)
    • Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi (interviewed)
    • Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown (interviewed)
    • Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg (interviewed)
    • Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan (interviewed)
    • Rams senior personnel executive Ray Farmer (interviewed)
    • Broncos assistant general manager Darren Mougey (interviewed)
    • Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark (interviewed)
    • Lions special assistant to the president, CEO & chairperson Chris Spielman (interviewed)
    • Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson (interviewed)
    • Bills assistant general manager Brian Gaine (interviewed)

    Coordinator interviews

    New England Patriots (OC)

    • Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown (interviewed)

    San Francisco 49ers (DC)

    • Former Jets head coach and former 49ers DC Robert Saleh (interviewed)
    • Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend (interviewed)

    Seattle Seahawks (OC)

    • Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (interviewed)
    • Vikings assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski (interviewed)
    • Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown (interviewed)
    • Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley (interviewed)
    • Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich (interviewed)

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