With just one week left in the 2023 regular season, you've typically got three different types of teams. You've got those teams that are playoff-bound, looking to either catch fire or keep the momentum enroute to a Super Bowl berth, teams who just missed the playoffs, who need a few tweaks for better luck next season, and then you have those teams who are in need a fresh approach. The Monday following the regular season, colloquially known as "Black Monday" is where those teams looking to hit the reset button clean house; sometimes it's the coaching staff, sometimes it's the front office, and other times it's both. Typically, those bottom-dweller teams are looking to pick from the staff of the other, more successful teams hoping they'll bring a winning culture with them. But don't be fooled, one man's trash is another man's treasure and those winning teams may pad their staffs with coaches and executives looking for a new home.

While the Packers are locked in with Head Coach Matt LaFleur for the foreseeable future, fans are hoping that embattled Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry isn't. And while, just like all of you I'm hoping for a win against the Bears which sparks an improbable run to the Super Bowl as a 7th Seed, I hope that no such victories are to be presented as evidence to save Barry's hide. I truly believe there are plenty of suitable candidates out there across the league, but in many cases, the early bird gets the worm. In a season where multiple teams have witnessed woeful starts/finishes and overall underwhelming performances down the stretch, NFL owners and executives will be hitting the train quick to find successive coaches who can turn their franchises around.

As that fateful Monday swiftly approaches, I proposed a quick ponder at who might be available. 

Definitely Available

1. Ron Rivera - HC, Commanders

Ron Rivera has admirably tried to turn the Commanders around, but when you have an owner like Dan Snyder, progression is futile. That's not the case anymore with new owner Josh Harris, but Rivera isn't his choice and he's looking to do a fresh rebuild with the team. While Rivera's going down swinging though, and Harris is allowing him to ride off into the sunset. I don't think Rivera will be in line for another head coaching gig soon, but if you've been watching pro football for a long time you know he's compiled great defenses at all his stops. I don't know if the Packers would be interested, but I'd hope they'd at least kick the tires.

UPDATE - Rivera was fired this afternoon.

2. Ejiro Evero - DC, Panthers

With the Panthers firing Frank Reich during the season, the entire Panthers coaching staff is likely looking for a new beginning this offseason. This SHOULD be a lock for the Packers; LaFleur interviewed him for the job 3 years ago, and he's been successful at overhauling defenses at multiple stops since. Don't let the 2-14 record fool you. The Panthers defense is sneaky good. The only issue is there are whispers of Evero being interviewed as a head coach. Would LaFleur make the same mistake twice? Let's hope not.

UPDATE - Carolina blocked Evero from interviewing with the Jaguars for the DC position. Carolina plans to interview Evero for their HC vacancy. It seems his time as a coordinator may be coming to an end.

Possibly Available

1. Matt Eberflus - HC, Bears

About a month ago, we were wondering if the Bears would go ahead and cut loose Eberflus midseason. However, he's made some adjustments and the Bears have been competitive down the stretch. It's a real conundrum for Chicago on who's the problem, is it Justin Fields, Eberflus, both, or neither? Those are questions only the ownership can answer, but with the 1st Overall Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, plus a likely Top-10 pick of their own, if the Bears want a fresh start they better do it now. Eberflus, a defensive-minded coach who had positive results with the Colts and Cowboys, has the skills to turn this defense into the Top-10 unit it should be.

UPDATE - Chicago has decided to retain Eberflus.

2. Mike Vrabel - HC, Titans

The Titans have probably one of the worst rosters in the NFL, and that's really on their GM, not so much on Vrabel. They've found their quarterback in Will Levis, but outside of that, what else do they have? Derrick Henry is slowing down and can't carry this team any longer. If the Titans fire GM Ron Carthon, the next GM is likely going to want to bring in their coach as well. To make it easier, the Titans will probably just fire both. Vrabel has produced multiple Top-5 defenses in his career, and has a knowledge of defensive schemes from his time as a Patriot that makes him agreeable to any roster. He's a bit removed from his 2021 Coach of the Year honors, but he will bring an air of competence to the DC position. My only concern is he was LaFleur's boss before he left to lead the Packers, so this might be an awkward pairing. Let's hope that doesn't stop them from finding success together again.

UPDATE - Vrabel was fired Tuesday afternoon.

3. Don "Wink" Martindale - DC, Giants

Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll went from hero to zero this season, largely because of quarterback play. The Giants were sellers at the trade deadline, so it may be an indication of an ensuing rebuild. Like the aforementioned Titans, the Giants may elect to clean house, which they should after GM Joe Schoen handed Daniel Jones that massive contract that's going to cripple their roster building for years to come. Martindale, who's already been documented to have a "beef" with Daboll, may be looking for greener pastures in 2024 whether he and Daboll are retained or not. If you remember the Ravens' terror of a defense that featured Hall of Famers like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs, Wink was the man calling the shots in Baltimore for 10 years. Speaking of that longevity of success, Martindale just hit his age-60 season, and while he has not hinted at retirement, it may be a concern 3-5 seasons from now.

UPDATE - Martindale informed the Giants of his resignation from his position as DC this afternoon.

4. Chris Harris - DB Coach/PGC, Titans

I championed for Harris last year to get an interview but he's still down there in Nashville producing top-flight secondaries, like he did in Washington....like he did in Los Angeles....like he did in Chicago....is he ever gonna get a shot? Should the Titans vanquish their coaching staff I don't expect Harris to last long, and should Vrabel get another head coaching gig I'd be surprised if he didn't get brought along. 

UPDATE - With Mike Vrabel being fired, Chris Harris will likely be searching for a new team this offseason.

Longshots

1. Antonio Pierce - Interim HC, Raiders

After the Raiders fired Josh McDaniels it was assumed the Raiders would be left for dead until 2024. Instead, Antonio Pierce has ignited a fire in Vegas that allowed the Raiders to place Top-5 in most points scored in a game in league history. That's pretty darn good for a defensive-minded coach. It's rumored the Raiders are considering Pierce for the top gig, but I'm labeling it as lip service until he gets hired. Pierce, a former Super Bowl winner and Pro Bowler, represents the dreamer in all of us, going from undrafted out of Arizona to world champion and now on the cusp of being a full-time NFL Head Coach. I hope he gets the Raiders job, but if he doesn't I hope the Packers are bold enough to pick up the phone.

UPDATE - Raiders owner Mark Davis has expressed to the media that it is a two-way race between Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and Pierce for the Raiders head coaching vacancy.

2. Jerod Mayo - DC, Patriots

What hasn't Mayo done in the league? I won't go into his lengthy accomplishments just yet, but if you look at the Patriots this season, despite their 4-12 record the defense is still top-tier. The only question is will Bill Belichick be retained? Mayo is in his inner circle, and whether Belichick stays or decides to move on (he won't be fired, the Patriots will trade him first), Belichick probably takes Mayo with him. Mayo has had multiple feelers for head coaching gigs already, with very good feedback. It's a situation to monitor for sure, but too much uncertainty in this situation makes Mayo little more than a pipe dream at this point.