It is a tradition, but one that nobody likes. “Black Monday” is known as such in the NFL because on the Monday after the last day of regular season games, teams that want to make changes immediately announce the coaches, coordinators, and even general managers who will be fired.
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On Monday, the formal search for general managers, coaches, and coordinators for the teams that will undergo changes also began. All meetings must be publicly announced.
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It was known that Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets were in the market as they fired their coaches during the regular season, and now they have been joined by New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders.
The list of coaches who have received the highest number of interview requests is led by: Mike Vrabel (former Tennesses Titans), Ben Johnson (offensive coordinator Detroit Lions), Aaron Glenn (defensive coordinator Detroit Lions), Brian Flores (defensive coordinator Minnesota Vikings), Todd Monken (offensive coordinator Baltimore Ravens), Joe Brady (offensive coordinator Buffalo Bills), Anthony Weaver (defensive coordinator Miami Dolphins), and even the veteran Pete Carroll (former Seattle Seahawks).
New England Patriots
The cycle of firings began in Boston when the Patriots fired their head coach Jerod Mayo after the Sunday victory of 23-16 over the Buffalo Bills and finishing the season 4-13.
The Patriots' victory, which in theory is something positive, turned into something negative, since if they had lost they would have had the first selection in the 2025 Draft, instead they will be 4th (the Titans will be 1st).
In a statement, owner Robert Kraft announced the dismissal: "After the game, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not return as the head coach of the Patriots in 2025. For me, personally, it was one of the toughest decisions I have made...Unfortunately, our team's performance throughout the season did not improve as I had hoped."
Mayo arrived to replace Bill Belichick, who was removed from his position after 24 seasons with the Patriots and six Super Bowl titles. However, Kraft did not have patience with the coach he had personally selected.
Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, emerges as the top candidate to be the new head coach.
Jacksonville Jaguars
First thing on Monday, the Jaguars reported that Doug Pederson will not continue as their head coach after a disappointing 4-13 season.
Pederson, Super Bowl champion with the Eagles, arrived with the goal of helping in the development of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and that has not been noticed, even though in 2022 the Jacksonville team made it to the playoffs.
General manager Trent Baalke managed to keep his position, but now the new coach will report to owner Shad Khan.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Nevada team took a couple of days and on Tuesday announced that Antonio Pierce will not continue as head coach, news that was expected as the Raiders finished the season with a 4-13 record, had a 10-game losing streak, and during the regular season fired the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and offensive line coach.
In the search for the new head coach, Tom Brady could play an important role, as he has a controversial dual role as a commentator for FOX and one of the owners of the Raiders (he owns 10%).
Giants and Colts confirmed their head coaches
Despite the rumors, the New York Giants will continue with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
The owner and team president, John Mara, announced on Monday that he and co-owner Steve Tisch have decided to move forward with the current leadership of the Giants, even after a 3-14 season that ranks among the worst in the franchise's history.
The Indianapolis Colts took a similar path on Sunday night.
Owner Jim Irsay announced, following the victory in overtime against the Jacksonville Jaguars, that coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will retain their positions. At some point, the Colts were in contention for a playoff spot, but a 45-33 loss against the Giants in Week 17, which left them out of the postseason, increased rumors of a change in coaching direction.
Changes in general management
So far, two teams have fired their general managers in search of making profound changes in the sports structure.
The Raiders seem to be in reset mode, as days after firing head coach Antonio Pierce, on Thursday they announced the departure of Tom Telesco from the general management.
Owner Mark Davis had said that Telesco and Pierce would be evaluated separately, and the firing of the general manager was the most surprising of the two, as he had a good draft last April in which he selected a candidate for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in the first three rounds, Brock Bowers, and two starting offensive linemen.
But Telesco did not choose or sign the transformative quarterback that the Raiders so desperately need. Instead, they signed the mediocre veteran Gardner Minshew for two years and 25 million dollars.
Days before Telesco, in Nashville, general manager Ran Carthon paid the price for the Titans' performance, with a poor record of 9-25 in his two seasons.
In Tennessee, Carthon was introduced as the franchise's first black general manager in January 2023, and he was responsible for hiring a new coach, Brian Callahan, a year later.
** This article will be updated as teams announce any eventual changes **