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Jeremy Fowler
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Jeremy Fowler
senior NFL nationwide reporter
- Jeremy Fowler is a senior nationwide NFL author for ESPN, overlaying the whole league together with breaking information. Jeremy additionally contributes to SportsCenter each as a studio analyst and a sideline reporter overlaying for NFL video games. He is an Orlando, Florida native who joined ESPN in 2014 after overlaying school soccer for CBSSports.com.
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Ben Solak
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Ben Solak
ESPN
- Ben Solak joined ESPN in 2024 as a nationwide NFL analyst. He beforehand lined the NFL at The Ringer, Bleeding Green Nation and The Draft Network.
Coordinator turnover is extra frequent than ever in the NFL. According to ESPN Research, the most new hires we have seen at offensive or defensive coordinator got here in the 2024 offseason, when there have been 33. But fourteen of these hires have been out of their roles by the begin of the 2025 season.
The 2026 offseason is proving to be no completely different. There have already been 5 hires for offensive or defensive coordinators, together with for a few of the high-profile OC jobs: Mike McDaniel to the Chargers, Eric Bieniemy to the Chiefs and Drew Petzing to the Lions. That leaves 14 whole openings at these positions round the NFL. And with 5 head teaching jobs nonetheless not crammed, much more hirings are on the method.
We checked out the present offensive and defensive coordinator market — sorry, particular groups — earlier than the convention championship video games. NFL analyst Ben Solak narrowed the listing of 14 openings to a top-four rating on both sides of the ball. Then nationwide NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler gave his newest intel on who might be employed for every of these jobs.
Let’s get into all that under. (This listing doesn’t embrace the 5 groups with out head coaches, as a result of the coordinators may probably be retained in these spots.)
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OC openings | DC openings
Top 4 offensive coordinator openings
Why it is No. 1: Because the Ravens employed Jesse Minter, a defensive-minded head coach, this job is a type of coveted spots wherein an offensive coordinator can name performs himself. Doing so for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and working again Derrick Henry is a fair higher draw! And whereas there are personnel considerations at extensive receiver and on the offensive line, the Ravens’ entrance workplace is a reliable one. This is the perfect spot. — Solak
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Who may get it: The Ravens interviewed 16 candidates for the head teaching search, which may present some clues for the coordinator spot. Veteran offensive coaches Matt Nagy, Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Brady not too long ago met with the group. All three can be good suits for Jackson. Denver’s Davis Webb is certified as nicely if he needs to depart Denver to name performs. With deep-rooted ties all through the league, Baltimore’s entrance workplace may also help information Minter on this entrance. — Fowler
Why it is No. 2: The alternative to work with Cam Ward is a superb one, as the No. 1 draft decide confirmed loads of indicators that he has a excessive ceiling in the execs. The Titans at the moment have the third-most cap area in the NFL ($77.1 million, per Roster Management System), which provides a brand new employees the alternative to retool the roster to their liking. The protection below new head coach Robert Saleh will do its half, which ought to assist the offensive coordinator look even higher with quick fields and loads of possessions. — Solak
Who may get it: The Titans interviewed Brian Daboll for head coach, so he is a risk. But it is not a slam dunk, as Daboll is in the combine for the Buffalo head teaching job. Another identify to look at is Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a former Titans OC below Mike Vrabel. Smith’s identify is floating round, and he may assist assist Ward with a robust run sport. Saleh additionally has ties to Dolphins pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik and 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. — Fowler
Why it is No. 3: Much like the Titans job, the Giants job is a reasonably clean slate with an thrilling rising sophomore quarterback in Jaxson Dart. The return of extensive receiver Malik Nabers and working again Cam Skattebo from harm will elevate this job even additional. And the presence of Andrew Thomas additionally secures the franchise left deal with spot — a famously robust spot to scheme round. Figuring out an offense that maximizes Dart’s mobility and in addition protects him from his personal recklessness might be robust, however the alternative to teach below a well-respected CEO head coach in John Harbaugh makes this job enticing. — Solak
Who may get it: This job is taken into account Todd Monken’s to lose. Monken guided the Ravens to a top-ranked offense below Harbaugh as the unit’s coordinator for the previous three seasons. But Monken remains to be sorting by way of choices and in the combine for the Cleveland head teaching job. Miami has curiosity in him at offensive coordinator as nicely. Willie Taggart, who was simply the assistant head coach/working backs coach in Baltimore, can be interviewing for the job. But Monken is the clear favourite at this level. — Fowler
Why it is No. 4: This job has been the equal of the Defense Against the Dark Arts job at Hogwarts, with a brand new coach occupying the function in every of the previous 4 seasons. In different phrases, anybody taking the gig ought to achieve this with out dropping deep roots. Expectations are excessive for any coordinator in Philadelphia, as the Eagles have loved a number of Super Bowl runs in the Jalen Hurts period. But if the cut up from extensive receiver A.J. Brown continues to fester, scheming that offense will get a lot trickier. It’s not a foul job, however it’s a charged one. There’s a motive different spots are getting crammed first. — Solak
1:54
How a lot blame does A.J. Brown deserve for Eagles’ loss? Stephen A. weighs in
Stephen A. Smith reacts to A.J. Brown’s efficiency in the Eagles’ playoff loss to the 49ers.
Who may get it: Philly’s search has been throughout the map, and the group remains to be submitting requests for interviews. I’m not completely satisfied former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is off the desk, although there’s not a lot buzz there at the second. Chicago offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is a reputation to look at. The Bears didn’t block Philly’s request to interview Doyle, which implies he is free to make the lateral transfer. Some see him as head coach materials, and this job generally is a springboard if the new playcaller improves Hurts’ efficiency. — Fowler
Other opening: Dolphins
Top 4 defensive coordinator openings
Why it is No. 1: Coaching edge rusher Micah Parsons positive sounds fairly cool. Other younger, secured expertise, corresponding to linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, cornerback Xavier McKinney and security Evan Williams, provide a terrific base from which a intelligent defensive coach may scheme up a profitable unit. That’s one thing Jeff Hafley, the outgoing DC and present Dolphins head coach, did nicely in a number of seasons. The Packers want extra depth at cornerback and defensive deal with, however they’ve been prepared to spend to signal free brokers not too long ago. — Solak
Who may get it: Former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon is certainly one of the strongest coordinator choices left and is firmly in the combine in Green Bay, although others are him. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has robust ties to former Falcons coach Raheem Morris, who may have coordinator choices if he does not get the Arizona head teaching job. Denver defensive pass-game coordinator Jim Leonhard is a reputation to look at, too. He performed and coached at Wisconsin, and he was up for this job in 2021. — Fowler
Why it is No. 2: The sneakers in San Francisco are large ones to fill, as outgoing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh did super work teaching round the lack of expertise throughout the 49ers’ unlikely postseason run this season. With Fred Warner and Nick Bosa returning to well being, the 49ers’ defensive roster has expertise … but in addition large holes alongside the defensive line and in the cornerbacks room. This job has had not simply Saleh but in addition DeMeco Ryans fill it in previous seasons, and that historical past of success brings with it excessive expectations. — Solak
Who may get it: Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed senior assistant Gus Bradley is a robust candidate for the job, calling him the “obvious” selection. Tennessee may also have curiosity in Bradley, and he cannot be blocked from leaving as a result of he is not at the moment a coordinator. But Bradley staying in San Francisco looks like a smart transfer at this level. Raheem Morris can be a gorgeous choice there. — Fowler
1:12
The touchdown spot Stephen A. wished for Robert Saleh over Tennessee
Stephen A. Smith explains why he wished Robert Saleh to land in Baltimore with the Ravens as a substitute of Tennessee with the Titans.
Why it is No. 3: This job is a tough one. The personnel may be very suited to the Minter/Baltimore fashion of protection, so the job is not a match for anybody with out main personnel overhaul. But with coach Jim Harbaugh working the group and an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert, it is a spot the place robust teaching can result in profitable and future promotion — as proven by Minter himself. — Solak
Who may get it: Harbaugh has a little bit of a starmaker status, as Minter and Mike Macdonald served as his defensive coordinators at Michigan. Miami DC Anthony Weaver and Tennessee DC Dennard Wilson are amongst suits from the Baltimore tree. Minnesota’s Daronte Jones and Denver’s Jim Leonhard are amongst the top candidates given their expertise as defensive pass-game coordinators. — Fowler
Why it is No. 4: Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux are on the defensive line, that is why. The Giants are well-suited for an enormous leap in defensive efficiency, as they underperformed to their expertise degree final season and will develop right into a dominant stress group as their defensive line continues to gel. Any defensive coordinator who sells out for a four-man rush ( you, Jim Schwartz) ought to love the potential of this group. — Solak
Who may get it: Coach John Harbaugh’s deep-rooted Baltimore ties might be useful right here. Weaver, who coached in Baltimore from 2021 to 2023, is a viable choice if he does not safe a head teaching job. My sense is that Harbaugh will not run it again along with his 2025 coordinator, Zach Orr, after the Ravens’ defensive struggles. Daronte Jones is a scorching candidate who has interviewed with the Giants and a number of other others. The Giants may do lots worse than him. — Fowler
Other openings: Commanders, Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, Titans
