Twenty teams start the offseason next week, but the coaching changes have already started. The Eagles' firing of Chip Kelly kickstarted the coaching carousel season last week, and more big moves -- like Mike Pettine's departure in Cleveland -- are expected to follow. Conor Orr took a look at the best potential coaching candidates earlier this season, so let's take a look at the jobs that are available and the ones that likely will be available soon.
Fired
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles didn't wait until the offseason to show Chip Kelly the door. The coach was fired Tuesday, just days before the team's regular-season finale against the Giants. After two-10 win seasons, Kelly's offense turned stale and predictable this year. Ultimately, his grab for personnel power proved to be his undoing more than his X's and O's.
Will be fired
Cleveland Browns: Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has already made the decision to fire coach Mike Pettine, multiple sources say, and it is likely general manager Ray Farmer will be shown the door, as well. Pettine leaves after just two seasons full of quarterback movement and a woeful defense. Farmer likely will leave despite never hiring his own head coach.
Haslam has already laid the groundwork for the move, doing work on potential candidates and seeing who will be available to him.
It ends a tumultuous tenure for Cleveland, filled with dysfunction, in-fighting, failed player acquisitions and wasted draft picks. Members of the front office were barely on speaking terms with the coaching staff, while Haslam informed them he must be consulted on endless football decisions. Pettine asked Haslam face-to-face on Friday if he would return, and the owner said nothing. Pettine and his staff then understood it was over.
So who comes next for the Browns? According to sources, the Browns are expected to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase for the head-coaching job. Former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone likely will be interviewed by the team, too.
On thin ice
Indianapolis Colts: The expectation is Chuck Pagano is coaching his final game for the Colts, just one year after taking Indy to the AFC title game. Owner Jim Irsay hasn't made a formal decision -- a move he'd like to wait on until the season ends. But there is little belief Pagano will be asked back for 2016 in the form of an extension. He turned down a one-year contract before the season, putting himself on the hot seat.
As for general manager Ryan Grigson, he is expected to be retained for the coaching search, at the very least. While Pagano is in the final year of his contract, Grigson saw his option exercised more than a year. The Colts will think big for their next head coach, with names like Sean Payton and potentially Nick Saban on their radar. It is unclear how receptive both coaches will be. Saban gets inquiries every year and rarely considers them.
Detroit Lions: The fate of Jim Caldwell is in the hands of the unhired new general manager. There is no way of knowing if he'll return until his boss is hired, despite players speaking out for his return. But inside the organization, it does not feel like Caldwell is set to be fired. The Ford family has strong feelings for him, as he's quickly earned their respect. Given the way his team finished, it is no certainty the Lions job will be open.
The fate of Caldwell is in the hands of the yet-to-be-hired general manager, according to Rapoport. Inside the organization, it does not feel like Caldwell is set to be fired. The Ford family has strong feelings for him, as he's quickly earned their respect, Rapoport reported.
Miami Dolphins: Dan Campbell, the fiery interim, who impressed early, will get an interview. But it's hard to see the Dolphins retaining him. They could keep him on as a tight ends coach and associate head coach. On Saturday, the team fired general manager Dennis Hickey.
New York Giants: Three people know Tom Coughlin's fate -- co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, along with Coughlin. They'll meet Monday morning to decide Coughlin's future, and it is very possible he's coached his last game. Mara and Tisch have not shared their views with each other. In most organizations, this would be an easy decision. But the Giants aren't like most places, and they'll carefully weigh every issue, including how to send him out (if it's the end) in a respectful way. But everyone outside the organization believes this job will be open. If that happens, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo will receive strong consideration for the job. Eli Manning loves him and has played some of his best football with McAdoo.
Tennessee Titans: Interim coach Mike Mularkey hasn't won much, and with quarterback Marcus Mariota, this should be a prime opening. That said, the Titans are expected to consider Mularkey as a legitimate candidate. The organization has strong feelings for him and how he's handled Mariota. They also know it wouldn't be a popular hire for their fan base, which might make it a longshot move. But if they keep general manager Ruston Webster and extend CEO Steve Underwood, this could be the direction they are going.
Teams to watch
New Orleans Saints: A long-standing topic of discussion this season, Sean Payton has made no secret of his openness to consider other options. Speaking with people informed of his thinking, he hasn't ruled out leaving New Orleans, with the hope that it's a clean and respectful break from the organization he took to great heights. The Saints, however, have said privately they'd like to receive compensation. The belief is a decade in one organization is enough.
San Diego Chargers: The Chargers' brass will meet Monday to figure out what to do with Mike McCoy following his third and most trying season. Sources say the Chargers will consider all factors that played into the season, including injuries. I'm told they are taking the long view and stepping back to consider how it got to 4-11 heading into Sunday. In addition, firing a coach the same day relocation applications for Los Angeles are due is an entirely new obstacle. Anything is possible, but the assumption just a few weeks ago that McCoy would be fired after the season is no longer valid.
San Francisco 49ers: Just one season after parting ways with Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers organization is at a crossroads again. Word is no decision has been made on whether to retain Jim Tomsula. The team's performance as of late will be watched closely. Those in charge will meet on Monday to hear Tomsula's plan for improvement and figure out what is in the best interest of the organization. But it is no sure thing Tomsula returns.
Should be safe
St. Louis Rams: By any measure, Jeff Fisher should be on the hot seat. He hasn't delivered a winning record in four seasons with the Rams. It's an offense-first league, and the Rams' offense gets worse by the year. Fisher has six winning seasons in 21 years as an NFL head coach, but Rapoport reported that both Fisher and general manager Les Snead are expected back. They both have strong organizational support from owner Stan Kroenke. The strong finish to this season, with three straight wins to get 7-8, also helps. Fisher also has strong ties with reporters, which tends to keep the criticism of his team to a minimum. There isn't going to be a fan outcry to get rid of him and the looming potential move to Los Angeles complicates things.
