NFL Head Coaching Tracker

Article ByKyle Garlett

January 24, 2024

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Posted in: US Sports Betting News, US Gambling News

The open head coaching positions in the NFL are slowly being filled, and Bill Belichick still remains available.

He did have a second interview with the Atlanta Falcons. But the Falcons interview count is now up to 14, with eight of those candidates either getting a second interview or scheduled to have a second. NFL online sportsbooks are still paying +145 on Belichick being the new coach with the Falcons. But one does have to wonder what has prevented it from happening.

Perhaps the market for a somewhat salty 71-year-old who wants to do things his own way isn’t as robust as expected. Perhaps it is Belichick himself that is slow to make a commitment. Sean Payton took a year off coaching, landing in Denver after his sabbatical. Maybe Belichick wants to wait a year, then find the perfect situation to begin his final pursuit of Don Shula’s all-time wins record.

Maybe it’s the assistant coaches that Belichick wants to hire.

Whatever the hang-up, the Atlanta head coaching position remains unfilled, but Belichick remains the favorite. NFL bettors are also getting short odds on Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is second behind Belichick, and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Los Angeles Chargers

From a quarterback and stadium perspective, the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers would appear to be the most attractive. Online sportsbooks accessible in California believe that Harbaugh is the most likely fit there, and he is the favorite to be hired.

As an NFL quarterback, Harbaugh played a season with the Chargers in 1999, and he began his head coaching career at the University of San Diego. As an NFL head coach, he took the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII.

Behind Harbaugh on the betting board is Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is currently preparing for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. Johnson has interviewed for all of the remaining open positions – Chargers, Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, and Seattle Seahawks.

The third betting favorite for the Chargers job is Kellen Moore, who was the offensive coordinator with the team this past season. Before that, Moore was the OC with the Dallas Cowboys.

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders have hired a new general manager in Adam Peters, formerly in the front office of the 49ers. He will now lead the head coaching search committee that includes Bob Myers, a four-time NBA champion as an executive with the Golden State Warriors, and Magic Johnson, a minority owner of the Commanders.

Rams DC Raheem Morris has a second interview coming up with the Commanders, as does Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Maryland online sportsbooks, however, give the betting edge to Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. He is paying +400 to be the next head coach in Washington.

Seattle Seahawks

If you are a retail sportsbook regular in Washington state, you are seeing a tight race for the next head coach of the Seahawks. Dan Quinn is a narrow favorite over Ben Johnson and Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith. Johnson is the primary play caller in Detroit, while Smith has not had that role in Miami.

None of last year’s assistant coaches in Seattle are considered to be likely hires.

Carolina Panthers

For what is considered the least desirable job of the five remaining, the search continues in Carolina for the Panthers next head coach. They do, however, have a new general manager. Former Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan, who helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 2003, has been given the role. Morgan has served as the team’s assistant general manager the last three years.

The expectation is that owner David Tepper wants to hire an offense-minded head coach to help develop quarterback Bryce Young, following his disappointing rookie season. Of course, the last head coach Tepper hired was the also offense-minded Frank Reich, and he didn’t last a full season.

Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018, and this next head coach will be the seventh to coach under Tepper. The new favorite to land the Panthers job, according to retail sportsbooks in North Carolina, is Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is second.