> At a Glance
> – Seven franchises-Ravens, Giants, Titans, Raiders, Falcons, Browns, Cardinals-have fired their head coach
> – Virtual interviews up to 3 hours can start Jan. 13 for wild-card assistants; Jan. 19 for in-person talks
> – Rooney Rule mandates two external, diverse candidates for every head-coach and coordinator opening
> – Why it matters: Playoff runs could decide who lands top candidates, reshaping 2025 contenders
While 14 teams chase a Super Bowl, seven others are already rebuilding. The NFL’s annual coaching carousel is in motion, and playoff assistants must juggle game plans with job interviews.
Interview Calendar
Teams can request permission to speak with rival assistants beginning Monday. Non-playoff coaches are fair game for virtual interviews three days after their final game-Tuesday for Tampa Bay, Wednesday for the rest.
Playoff assistants face tighter windows:
- Wild-card weekend coaches: virtual only, Jan. 13 (Jan. 14 for Houston/Pittsburgh)
- Divisional-round coaches: in-person window opens Jan. 19
- Conference-title coaches: in-person window opens Jan. 26
- Super Bowl coaches: final interview window ends Feb. 1; no talks Feb. 2-8
No coach can sign a contract until his team is eliminated.
Rooney Rule & GM Rules
Every head-coach and coordinator search must include two in-person interviews with diverse candidates from outside the organization. Quarterback-coach openings require one such interview.
General-manager searches follow a similar playbook:
- Permission requests for non-primary decision-makers began Monday
- Two external, diverse in-person interviews required
- Playoff executives can accept offers if their current club grants written permission
Key Takeaways
- Seven head-coach vacancies create a buyer’s market for playoff assistants
- Virtual interviews cap at three hours; in-person visits hinge on playoff survival
- Rooney Rule applies to every level from head coach to QB coach
- GM hires can close early if the playoff employer signs off in writing
The next month will decide who patrols sidelines in 2025-and which playoff runs double as extended job auditions.
