{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Brian Flores: Former head coach, Dolphins","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Flores-Brian-USATSI-17386532.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1642088423,"caption":"

The Dolphins firing Brian Flores after back-to-back winning seasons -- albeit zero playoff appearances in that span -- was the big surprise of this year's hiring cycle.

Flores is thought of as one of the brightest defensive minds in the NFL and quickly transformed Miami's defense into an elite unit. Flores may not be unemployed for long.

"},{"title":"Jim Harbuagh: Head coach, Michigan","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Jim-Harbaugh-Michigan-USATSI_17437804.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1642089769,"caption":"

Harbaugh could be eyeing a return to the NFL after spending the last seven years at Michigan, making him one of the biggest names on the coaching market right now.

As head coach of the 49ers, Harbaugh went 44-19-1, made the playoffs three of his four seasons and made it to the Super Bowl in 2012.

"},{"title":"Doug Pederson: Former head coach, Eagles","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Pederson_D_new_USATSI_11157275.jpg","credit":"","published":1642088513,"caption":"

Pederson took the year off from coaching after parting ways with the Eagles at the end of last season. 2020 proved to be a stain on Pederson's head coaching resume, going 4-11-1 after three-straight playoff appearances.

Regardless of how bad 2020 was for Pederson, he's still a Super-Bowl-winning head coach with a track record of getting his players to buy-in. Pederson also appears to have an interview lined up with almost every opening on the market.

"},{"title":"Eric Bieniemy: Offensive coordinator, Chiefs","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Eric-Bieniemy-Chiefs-USATSI_16796409.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1601997905,"caption":"

Is this the year Eric Bienemy gets a head coaching job?

He's been a top candidate for three years now and several less qualified coaches have been hired during that span. Alex Smith called the situation "ridiculous" last year and it's hard to disagree with that sentiment.

"},{"title":"Byron Leftwich: Offensive coordinator, Buccaneers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Byron-Leftwich-Bucs-USATSI_17248724.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1601999789,"caption":"

Leftwich was the up-and-coming candidate last year, but he's a prominent one this time around. It's hard to imagine this hiring cycle going by without him leading an NFL franchise, even if he didn't get an interview last year.

The former Jaguars quarterback joined the Bucs as offensive coordinator in 2019 and already has a Super Bowl under his belt calling plays for Tom Brady.

"},{"title":"Brian Daboll: Offensive coordinator, Bills","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Brian-Daboll-Bills-USATSI_17307045.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1601999601,"caption":"

The Bills' offense hasn't been as good this year as it was in 2020 when Daboll was getting significant head coaching interest, but that probably has more to do with the roster construction than the problems with the scheme.

Buffalo still has a dynamic passing game and Josh Allen's development under Daboll can't be understated.

"},{"title":"Raheem Morris: Defensive coordinator, Rams","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Raheem-Morris-Rams-USATSI_16583593.jpg","credit":"© Jim Dedmon -- USA Today Sports Images","published":1607081806,"caption":"

After leading the Falcons to a 4-7 record following Dan Quinn's firing in 2020, Morris took over as the Rams' defensive coordinator under Sean McVay.

In his first season running the Rams' defense, L.A. ranks in the top-15 in average yards and points allowed, while ranking in the top-10 in rushing defense.

"},{"title":"Josh McDaniels: Offensive coordinator, Patriots","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/MCDANIELS_J_USATSI_13911149.jpg","credit":"© Winslow Townson -- USA Today Sports Images","published":1601999298,"caption":"

Will he stay or will he go? It seems to be the question every offseason for McDaniels. Ever since he backed out of the Colts job in 2018 quite literally at the last minute, nobody really knows whether he'll take another job or just wait for Bill Belichick to retire.

McDaniels interviewed with the Eagles last year, but Philadelphia ultimately hired Nick Sirianni.

"},{"title":"Nathaniel Hackett: Offensive coordinator, Packers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Nathaniel-Hackett-Packers-USATSI_16099418.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1639000081,"caption":"

Hackett has been the Packers' offensive coordinator throughout Matt LaFleur's tenure as head coach. He has a big fan in Aaron Rodgers and is known for his energy in the locker room throughout the week.

He does not call the plays for the Packers, however, as the head coach currently holds those responsibilities.

"},{"title":"Kellen Moore: Offensive coordinator, Cowboys","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Kellen-Moore-Cowboys-USATSI_17115576.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1639000345,"caption":"

A lot of the credit for Dallas' hyper-efficient offense over the last two years has been going toward 33-year-old Kellen Moore.

Moore joined the Cowboys as a quarterback coach following his playing career in 2018 and has been the offensive coordinator since 2019.

"},{"title":"Patrick Graham: Defensive coordinator, Giants","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Patrick-Graham-Giants-USATSI_17020517.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1639001301,"caption":"

The Jets were targeting Graham last year before they hired Robert Saleh, but Graham declined an interview request and signed an extension with the Giants to become one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the NFL.

Graham has been coaching for 20 years and is known for his relationships with players.

"},{"title":"Jerod Mayo: Linebackers coach, Patriots","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Jerod-Mayo-Patriots-USATSI_13279150.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1639001466,"caption":"

Mayo was another Patriots assistant to interview with the Eagles last year before Nick Sirianni got the job. Mayo played eight seasons in New England before joining the coaching staff in 2019.

There's no real way to know who runs the Patriots' defense, but Mayo holds the same position Dolphins head coach Brian Flores used to before he got a head coaching opportunity.

"},{"title":"Kevin O'Connell: Offensive coordinator, Rams","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Kevin-oconnell-Rams-USATSI_16590554.jpg","credit":"","published":1639002250,"caption":"

Matt LaFleur and Zac Taylor are former McVay assistants to get head coaching jobs elsewhere. Will O'Connell be next?

After a three-year stint in Washington under Jay Gruden, including a one-year go as offensive coordinator in 2019, O'Connell joined the Rams' staff as OC in 2020. McVay calls the plays, but that hasn't stopped his coordinators from getting hired.

"},{"title":"Dan Quinn: Defensive coordinator, Cowboys","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/dan-quinn-chicago-bears-USATSI-17477377.jpg","credit":"","published":1642088557,"caption":"

In just one season, Quinn was able to turn the Cowboys' defense from the absolute worst unit in the league to one of the best.

Perhaps an unsustainable number of turnovers is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for Dallas, but their improvement on that side of the ball is a big reason why the Cowboys became contenders in the NFC this season.

"},{"title":"Leslie Frazier: Defensive coordinator, Bills","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/web-220110-leslie-frazier.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1642088691,"caption":"

Frazier seems to be in line to get his second head coaching opportunity, after leading the Vikings to a 21-32-1 record from 2013-15.

He interviewed for the Texans opening last year, but the job ultimately went to David Culley. Now, he has interviews lined up with the Bears and Dolphins.

"}]}

Top 2022 NFL head coaching candidates