NFL head coach, GM interview tracker: Falcons to interview Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh a second time

| American Football | 01/22/2024

By Josh Edwards

With the NFL regular season behind us, it is time for teams to begin preparing for next season. Several teams have already made the decision to change key positions within the organization, whether that be a general manager, head coach or coordinator.

Rather than scouring the scatter shot reports across social media, CBSSports.com has compiled all of those reports of interest in one place. Below, we will track all of the coordinator, head coach and general manager candidates and where they have been requested to interview.

Head coaches

Las Vegas Raiders, HIRED Antonio Pierce

The Las Vegas Raiders are sticking with their interim head coach and hiring Antonio Pierce, according to CBS Sports NFL Lead Insider Jonathan Jones. Pierce replaced Josh McDaniels and went 5-4 down the stretch in Las Vegas.

New England Patriots: HIRED Jerod Mayo

In what was rumored to be happening for days, really weeks, Bill Belichick and the Patriots parted ways last Thursday. The next morning, the Patriots executed their succession plan by hiring linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to replace Belichick.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons parted ways with Arthur Smith after three losing seasons. The season-ending defeat to New Orleans capped Atlanta’s third consecutive 7-10 season under Smith, who was hired away from the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2021 campaign. Here are the candidates the Falcons have requested to interview:

  • Bill Belichick, former Patriots HC (CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones) — second interview
  • Jim Harbaugh, Michigan HC (NFL Media) — second interview
  • Ben Johnson, Lions OC (CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones)
  • Mike Vrabel, former Titans HC (CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones)
  • Brian Callahan, Bengals OC (Team) — completed
  • Ejiro Evero, Panthers DC (Team) — completed
  • Steve Wilks, 49ers DC (Team) — completed
  • Anthony Weaver, Ravens DL coach (Team) — completed
  • Mike Macdonald, Ravens DC (Team) — completed
  • Aaron Glenn, Lions DC (Team) — completed
  • Brian Johnson, Eagles OC (Team) — completed
  • Raheem Morris, Rams DC (Team) — completed
  • Joe Brady, Bills OC (Team) — completed
  • Bobby Slowik, Texans OC (Team) — completed
  • Antonio Pierce, Raiders interim HC (NFL Network)

Carolina Panthers

After replacing Matt Rhule as the head coach in Carolina, Frank Reich lasted less than one full season with the Panthers. Owner David Tepper pulled the plug on the union after the team opened the season with a 1-10 record. Special teams coach Chris Tabor was promoted to the interim. Here are the candidates the Panthers have requested to interview:

Los Angeles Chargers

Former head coach Brandon Staley accumulated a 24-25 record, including 0-1 in the postseason in his two-plus seasons as head coach of the Chargers. Ownership elected to make a change Dec. 15 after the team started 5-9. Assistant coach Giff Smith was promoted in the interim. Here are the candidates the Chargers have requested to interview:

Seattle Seahawks

In a shocking move, Pete Carroll is out as Seahawks head coach, according to CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. Carroll, the oldest coach in the NFL, signed a five-year contract extension in 2020. He finishes his career in Seattle with a regular-season record of 137-89-1 over 14 seasons. According to Seahawks chair Jody Allen, the team and Carroll mutually agree that he would transition into an advisory role moving forward. Here are the candidates the Seahawks have requested to interview:

Tennessee Titans

The Titans fired Mike Vrabel after six seasons in Tennessee. The Titans are coming off back-to-back losing seasons and finished 6-11 and in last place in the AFC South. Vrabel reached the postseason in three of his first four seasons, winning back-to-back division titles in 2020 and 2021. He reached the AFC title game in 2019 and compiled a 54-45 overall record. Here are the candidates the Titans have requested to interview:

Washington Commanders

Ron Rivera went 26-40-1 over four seasons as Washington’s head man, but he was dismissed the day after the Commanders’ Week 18 loss to Dallas, setting the stage for a sweeping offseason overhaul under a new ownership group led by Josh Harris. Here’s a look at who the Commanders have requested to interview:

General managers

Washington Commanders: HIRED Adam Peters

CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported Friday that Washington had hired Adam Peters as its new GM.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers fired general manager Scott Fitterer Monday, two months after the franchise dismissed Frank Reich as head coach. Here are all the general manager interview candidates the Panthers asked for permission to interview, per the team.

  • Brandon Brown, Giants assistant general manager
  • Ed Dodds, Colts assistant general manager
  • Mike Greenberg, Buccaneers assistant general manager
  • Alec Halaby, Eagles assistant general manager
  • Khai Harley, Saints vice president of football administration
  • Champ Kelly, Raiders interim general manager
  • Nick Matteo, Ravens vice president of football administration
  • Brandt Tilis, Chiefs vice president of football operations
  • Dan Morgan, Panthers assistant GM
  • Mike Disner, Lions COO
  • Samir Suleiman, Panthers vice president of football administration

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have hired head coach Antonio Pierce, but they’re still looking for a general manager. Champ Kelly served as the interim GM this past season.

Los Angeles Chargers

In addition to parting ways with head coach Brandon Staley, they moved on from general manager Tom Telesco, who had served in the role for nearly 11 full seasons. He was with the organization through the move from San Diego. JoJo Wooden was named interim general manager.

New England Patriots

Since Bill Belichick also ran football operations, the Patriots are currently looking for a new GM after replacing Belichick with Jerod Mayo as head coach.

Read original CBS Sports article.