As the NFL regular season winds down, the coaching carousel is starting to pick up steam. With a couple of head coaching jobs already open - and more likely to follow - teams are beginning to scan the landscape for their next leader. Whether they're looking for a culture-changer, a quarterback developer, or a defensive mastermind, there’s no shortage of intriguing candidates.
Here’s a breakdown of five names that should be on every front office’s radar as the hiring cycle heats up.
Marcus Freeman - Head Coach, Notre Dame
Marcus Freeman has been a name to watch in college football since taking over at Notre Dame in 2021, and now NFL teams are starting to take notice. The Bears reportedly showed interest in him last offseason before going with Ben Johnson, and now the Giants are believed to be doing their homework on Freeman as well.
And why wouldn’t they? Freeman has compiled a 43-12 record since being promoted from defensive coordinator, and he led the Fighting Irish to the national championship game in 2024. He’s proven he can build a winning culture and lead a program under the brightest lights.
Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, has made it clear that keeping Freeman in South Bend is a top priority this offseason. But the question remains: is Freeman ready to test himself at the next level?
There’s always some hesitation when it comes to college coaches making the jump - Urban Meyer’s brief and chaotic NFL stint is still fresh in many minds. But Freeman has shown a steady hand and a sharp football mind. If a team believes in his leadership and vision, he could be worth the leap.
Joe Brady - Offensive Coordinator, Buffalo Bills
If you’re looking for someone who can unlock a young quarterback’s potential, Joe Brady might be your guy.
Brady took over as the Bills’ full-time offensive coordinator in 2024, and the results speak for themselves. Josh Allen won his first MVP under Brady’s guidance, and he’s back near the top of the league this season, currently eighth in passing yards and sixth in QBR. That’s not a coincidence.
Brady’s track record with quarterbacks goes back to his days at LSU, where he helped turn Joe Burrow into a Heisman Trophy winner and eventual No. 1 pick. Burrow himself recently credited Brady for helping him grow as a player, saying, “We did some special things together.
We went through a lot of problems and solved a lot of problems. That’s what great coaches and players do.”
That kind of endorsement carries weight - especially for teams like the Giants and Titans, who are trying to develop rookie quarterbacks in Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward. Brady’s offensive mind and QB-friendly system could be just what they need.
Robert Saleh - Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers
Robert Saleh is back where he made his name - running the 49ers defense - and he’s reminding everyone why he was such a hot head-coaching candidate in the first place.
His stint with the Jets didn’t go as planned. Four seasons, no playoff appearances, and a 20-36 record.
But context matters. Saleh was working with a meddling ownership group and a carousel of quarterbacks.
It’s hard to win in that environment.
Back in San Francisco, Saleh has returned to his roots as a defensive play-caller, and the results have been impressive. Despite losing stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to injuries, the 49ers still rank eighth in points allowed - a testament to Saleh’s ability to adapt and lead.
He’s also learned from his time in New York. One of his biggest takeaways?
He’s better when he’s calling plays and fully immersed in the game. “It brings out the emotion in me and gets me excited and connected to all the players,” he said recently.
That kind of self-awareness - and willingness to evolve - is exactly what teams should be looking for in a second-chance candidate.
Vance Joseph - Defensive Coordinator, Denver Broncos
Talk about a turnaround.
After Denver’s defense gave up 70 points to Miami in Week 3 of the 2023 season, many thought Vance Joseph wouldn’t last the year. Now? Broncos fans are hoping he sticks around.
Denver has gone from disaster to dominant. The Broncos are 11-2, rank fourth in points allowed, and lead the league in sacks.
They’re even on pace to challenge the all-time single-season sack record set by the 1984 Bears. That’s not just a bounce-back - that’s a full-blown redemption arc.
Joseph’s first stint as a head coach didn’t go smoothly - he went 11-21 with the Broncos from 2017-18 - but quarterback play was a major issue. He had to roll with Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, and Case Keenum. Not exactly a murderers’ row of signal-callers.
Now, with a dominant defense under his belt and a strong endorsement from Sean Payton, Joseph is making a strong case for another shot at the top job. He’s shown growth, resilience, and a knack for rallying a unit - all traits that translate well to head coaching.
Klint Kubiak - Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
Klint Kubiak has breathed new life into the Seattle offense, and he’s doing it with a quarterback many had written off.
Under Kubiak’s guidance, the Seahawks have jumped from 17th to second in the league in scoring, averaging nearly 30 points per game. Sam Darnold - yes, that Sam Darnold - is putting up career-best numbers.
He’s sixth in passing yards and tied for fifth in touchdown passes. That’s a massive leap for a player who was once labeled a bust.
Darnold has credited Kubiak for the turnaround, pointing to their time together in San Francisco and the familiarity with the offensive system. “Klint, obviously a blue-collar man, he’s very easygoing,” Darnold said earlier this year. “That was obviously a draw.”
Kubiak’s ability to simplify the game for his quarterback, build confidence, and scheme effectively has made him one of the league’s rising offensive minds. For teams looking to modernize their offense or reboot a young quarterback, he’s a name that’s going to keep coming up.
Final Thoughts
With multiple teams already parting ways with their head coaches - and more likely to follow - this offseason could be one of the more active hiring cycles in recent memory. Whether it's a proven college winner like Freeman, a quarterback developer like Brady, or a redemption story like Saleh or Joseph, each of these candidates brings something unique to the table.
The key for teams will be finding the right fit - not just for their locker room, but for their long-term vision. Because in today’s NFL, the margin between contender and pretender often starts with the head coach.