January 18, 2024 (Los Angeles) – The NFL’s 2024 head coaching hiring cycle has begun with only two head coaches being fired in the league’s annual Black Monday shakeup. The Atlanta Falcons fired Arthur Smith and the Washington Commanders parted ways with Ron Rivera. However, the coaching carousel had already been in motion for several weeks, with the Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers all firing their head coaches earlier.
The Los Angeles Chargers appear to have the most attractive coaching vacancy due to the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert, who is under contract through 2029. Despite a disappointing 2023 season, Herbert’s talent and potential make the Chargers an appealing destination. The team also has several high-quality starters at key positions, but they will need young players to develop and fill in the gaps. The Chargers will need to address their salary cap situation, as they need to cut nearly $35 million to become compliant with the 2024 cap. However, they have good draft positioning with the fifth and 37th overall selections.
The Washington Commanders also have an intriguing coaching vacancy. While their quarterback situation is uncertain, they have a significant amount of cap space available for free agency spending. The team also has three of the top 40 picks in the 2024 draft, including the second overall selection. With new ownership in place, the Commanders offer an opportunity for a quick reset and a fresh start.
The Atlanta Falcons face the challenge of finding a new quarterback after the departure of Matt Ryan. They have some quality players on their roster, but their success will depend on resolving their glaring quarterback problem. The team also has available cap space and draft picks to address other areas of need.
The Carolina Panthers have struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position, and their most recent first-round pick, Bryce Young, had a difficult rookie season. The team needs a coach who can develop Young and improve the overall talent level on the roster. While they have some notable players, such as Derrick Brown and DeAndre Hopkins, there is still work to be done to build a competitive team.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a mixed roster with some standout players, but they lack stability at the quarterback position. The team has cap space to make moves in free agency, but their draft position is not ideal. The Raiders will need to bring in an experienced executive to get the roster in order and decide on the future of their quarterback situation.
The Tennessee Titans round out the list of available coaching positions. With uncertainty at quarterback and a roster that needs rebuilding, the next coach will face significant challenges. The team has cap space and draft picks to work with, but they will need to find a way to compete in a tough division.
Overall, the coaching vacancies present different levels of appeal and challenges. Each team will be looking for the right coach to help lead their organization to success.