Mike Vrabel has made his way back to New England, while Mike McCarthy is exiting his role in Dallas. The NFL coaching carousel is gradually gaining momentum as teams begin to look for new leadership for their franchises.

The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears have gotten an early start in their coaching searches, having dismissed their previous coaches during the season. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders have recently entered the race as well, followed by the Dallas Cowboys, who began their search more recently and are now subject to delay in interviewing assistants on playoff teams due to the timing.

**Dallas Cowboys**

The conversation surrounding the Cowboys and former player Deion Sanders has quickly surfaced after reports indicated that he and team owner Jerry Jones had discussed the vacant coaching position. While Sanders has made it clear he wishes to remain at the University of Colorado, his fond history with the Cowboys and winning a Super Bowl with the team makes the prospect of returning intriguing for him. Additionally, former tight end Jason Witten, who played 16 seasons in Dallas and has coached at the high school level for four years, is also being mentioned as a potential candidate despite a lack of college or NFL coaching experience.

Kellen Moore, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, could be a suitable option given his familiarity with the organization, having previously backed up Dak Prescott for two years and served as the offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022. If he joins, he would be the ninth head coach for Jones since he took ownership of the Cowboys in 1989, marking another significant turn in the team’s storied history.

**Las Vegas Raiders**

In Las Vegas, the Raiders parted ways with Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco after just one season. This has opened the door for Tom Brady, a new minority owner, to have a say in the team’s strategic direction. The Raiders have lined up interviews with notable names such as Pete Carroll, Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, among others, as they look to find the right candidate. The involvement of Brady hints that the search will be comprehensive, and they will need to recruit a general manager who is keen to be involved in the coaching selection process.

**Jacksonville Jaguars**

The Jaguars, who enjoyed winning seasons under coach Doug Pederson, fell to a disappointing 4-13 record this past season and are now searching for a new leader. The team has already spoken with several candidates including Johnson, Glenn, and Spagnuolo, and has plans to reach out to a range of other candidates as well. General manager Trent Baalke is looking to build a fresh start with his fourth coach since taking over in 2021.

**Chicago Bears**

In Chicago, the Bears are on a mission to find a suitable coach who can guide franchise quarterback Caleb Williams towards a successful future. The team has conducted interviews with various candidates including Carroll, Ron Rivera, and Thomas Brown, who acted as interim coach following the firing of Matt Eberflus. Interviews continue with several more names as the organization seeks a promising fit.

**New Orleans Saints**

The Saints have seen interim coach Darren Rizzi take the reins after Dennis Allen’s departure, leading to a 3-5 record. The team is exploring its options and has already interviewed several candidates including Weaver, Kafka, and Glenn, with more interest expressed in McCarthy, Brady, Kingsbury, and Moore. The Saints have also made a move to interview David Shaw, the former Stanford head coach who currently works with the Broncos.

**New York Jets**

Among the earlier openings in the league, the Jets’ search could be the most protracted. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who managed a 3-9 record after taking over from Saleh, has already interviewed, as have other contenders including Vrabel and Rivera. The Jets are expected to meet with numerous candidates, with Rex Ryan being vocal about his desire for the job, having taken the team to the playoffs during his last tenure.

The Jets continue to explore their options, requesting interviews with various potential candidates as they aim to turn around their fortunes in the coming seasons. As the offseason progresses, it remains to be seen who will secure these pivotal coaching roles in the NFL.