2025 NFL Head Coaching Carousel

Chew lays out the available NFL head coaching positions and a dynasty buy on each team.

The 2025 NFL offseason is indeed in full effect, with six teams in search of a new leader: New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears. Each of these six teams has their own first round draft pick in 2025 and varied levels of cap room, or lack thereof (cough, cough, Saints). Let’s take a look at each of these vacancies and see what the next head coach is getting themselves into; as well as, my “buy” in dynasty and a trio of trades I would do.

Before we explore the head coaching vacancies, if you find this article even mildly enjoyable please consider subscribing. Do it now, shake my hand!

Meet The Candidates

The head coaching search includes a wide swath of seasoned veterans, unproven coordinators, and everything in between (just ask the Jets). Here is a list of potential candidates and their NFL team in 2024 (if applicable):

*Coaching candidates listed in no particular order

Former Head Coaches

• Matt Nagy (KC), Brian Flores (MIN), Arthur Smith (PIT), Mike Vrabel (CLE), Jeff Ulbrich (NYJ), Darren Rizzi (NO), Steve Spagnuolo (KC), Mike McCarthy (DAL), Thomas Brown (CHI), Robert Saleh (GB), Ron Rivera, Rex Ryan, Pete Carroll

Coordinators, Position & College Coaches

• Ben Johnson (DET), Aaron Glenn (DET), Josh McCown (MIN), Brian Griese (SF), Van Joseph (DEN), Bobby Slowik (HOU), Joe Brady (BUF), Anthony Weaver (MIA), Mike Kafka (NYG), Drew Petzing (ARI), Todd Monken (BAL), David Shaw (DEN), Kellen Moore (PHI), Liam Cohen (TB), Patrick Graham (LV), Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton, Matt Campbell

*Trades sourced from Dynasty-Daddy for superflex leagues in the last 30 days.

New England Patriots (4-13)

• Draft Picks: 4, 38, 69, 77, 105, 142, 215, 218, 239

• Cap Space: $134 million (most)

• Top Fantasy Performers (Overall PPR Fantasy Points)

  • QB: Drake Maye (187.1 points - 23rd)

  • RB: Rhamondre Stevenson (175.9 points - 28th)

  • WR: Demario Douglas (147.7 points - 47th)

  • TE: Hunter Henry (145.4 points - 12th)

  • Key Injuries: None

Joe Milton ruined the Patriots’ chances of getting the first pick of the 2025 draft with a heroic Week 18 performance. However, thankfully the Patriots have already found their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. With ample draft capital and the league-most cap space, the Patriots are poised to build an offensive line and weapons around Maye.

Recommended dynasty trades to acquire Drake Maye:

1. Drake Maye ←→ ‘25 1.06 pick + ‘25 2.06 pick

2. Drake Maye + Noah Gray ←→ J.J. McCarthy + Kyle Pitts + ‘25 1.08 pick

3. Drake Maye + Tee Higgins + Tyler Allgeier ←→ Brock Purdy + Tyreek Hill

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)

• Draft Picks: 5, 36, 70, 92, 106, 129, 140, 180, 219

• Cap Space: $44 million (18th-most)

• Top Fantasy Performers (Overall PPR Fantasy Points)

  • QB: Trevor Lawrence (152.2 points - 27th)

  • RB: Travis Etienne Jr. (130.2 points - 35th)

  • WR: Brian Thomas Jr. (284.0 points - 4th)

  • TE: Brenton Strange (91.1 points - 31st)

  • Key Injuries: Trevor Lawrence, Evan Engram, Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis

The Jaguars do not have near the cap room of Patriots, but the former enter the offseason with strong draft capital and their franchise quarterback under contract. A bulk of the cap room and draft capital, however, should be focused on bolstering the defensive side of the ball. Whether Lawrence is a generational talent or an above average quarterback is another conversation, but he has a bonafide stud in Brian Thomas Jr. And I am heavily interested in Travis Etienne as I think we saw his fantasy floor in 2024.

Recommended dynasty trades to acquire Travis Etienne:

1. Travis Etienne ←→ ‘25 2.05 pick + ‘25 4.03 pick

2. Travis Etienne + ‘25 3rd rd pick ←→ J.K. Dobbins + Cedric Tillman + ‘25 4th rd pick

3. Travis Etienne + ‘25 2nd rd pick ←→ Kyle Pitts

Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)

• Draft Picks: 6, 37, 68, 73, 107, 141, 178, 208, 220, 254

• Cap Space: $113 million (2nd-most)

• Top Fantasy Performers (Overall PPR Fantasy Points)

  • QB: Gardner Minshew II (106.5 points - 34th)

  • RB: Alexander Mattison (137.4 points - 32nd)

  • WR: Jakobi Meyers (218.0 points - 19th)

  • TE: Brock Bowers (262.7 points - 1st)

  • Key Injuries: Garner Minshew, Zamir White, Sincere McCormick

Have no fear, Tom Brady will ultimately select the Raiders next head coach, general manager, quarterback, and probably the offerings at the concession stands. Regardless of how much input he has, it can’t be worse than the organizations recent decisions. Thankfully the Raiders are flush with draft capital and cap room, the latter of which is only second to the Patriots. The only real notable players from a fantasy perspective are Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, the latter of which is an intriguing buy for me in dynasty.

Recommended dynasty trades to acquire Jakobi Meyers:

1. Jakobi Meyers ←→ ‘25 3.08 pick + ‘26 3rd rd pick

2. Jakobi Meyers ←→ Javon Baker + ‘25 3rd rd pick

3. Jakobi Meyers + Chase Brown + ‘25 4th rd pick ←→ Kenneth Walker + Brenton Strange + ‘26 2nd rd pick

New York Jets (5-12)

• Draft Picks: 7, 42, 96, 109, 143, 157, 184, 205

• Cap Space: $28 million (21st-most)

• Top Fantasy Performers (Overall PPR Fantasy Points)

  • QB: Aaron Rodgers (267.6 points - 15th)

  • RB: Breece Hall (240.9 points - 16th)

  • WR: Garrett Wilson (251.9 points - 10th)

  • TE: Tyler Conklin (121.9 points - 18th)

  • Key Injuries: None

What a season for the Jets. The Aaron Rodgers experiment has likely reached its end but there are plenty of talented players on both sides of the ball for the next head coach. The cap situation for the Jets is murky based on rumblings that they could move on from Rodgers and PIC Davante Adams. But you could do much worse than building an offense around Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. To that end I see Wilson as a buy in dynasty.

Recommended dynasty trades to acquire Garrett Wilson:

1. Garrett Wilson + Justin Herbert ←→ Drake London + ‘26 1st rd pick

2. Garrett Wilson + Jaylen Waddle + ‘25 2.02 pick + ‘25 3.10 pick ←→ Nico Collins + Jayden Reed + ‘25 4.03 pick

3. Garrett Wilson + Jaylen Warren ←→ George Pickens + Kenneth Walker

New Orleans Saints (5-12)

• Draft Picks: 9, 40, 71, 90, 111, 127, 182, 200, 253

• Cap Space: -$63 million (least)

• Top Fantasy Performers (Overall PPR Fantasy Points)

  • QB: Derek Carr (156.0 points - 26th)

  • RB: Alvin Kamara (265.3 points - 9th)

  • WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling (84.5 points - 89th)

  • TE: Juwan Johnson (122.8 points - 17th)

  • Key Injuries: Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill

The Saints enter the 2025 offseason ready to do their usual cap gymnastics as I do not remember the last time they were not in the red headed into the offseason. The wrinkle the Saints have now is that their franchise quarterback is not on the roster and they do not have cap room to sign one. With the law firm of Kamara and Olave, I am curious how the Saints put together a team that can compete in the dilapidated NFC South. When it comes to putting together a dynasty team, I would look to buy Olave after what was a lost 2024 season.

Recommended dynasty trades to acquire Chris Olave:

1. Chris Olave ←→ ‘25 1.08 pick

2. Chris Olave + ‘26 1st rd pick ←→ Jayden Reed + Tyrone Tracy + ‘27 2nd rd pick + ‘27 3rd rd pick

3. Chris Olave ←→ Calvin Ridley + Deebo Samuel

Chicago Bears (5-12)

• Draft Picks: 10, 39, 41, 72, 146, 196, 231

• Cap Space: $83 million (5th-most)

• Top Fantasy Performers (Overall PPR Fantasy Points)

  • QB: Caleb Williams (260.5 points - 16th)

  • RB: D’Andre Swift (214.5 points - 19th)

  • WR: DJ Moore (238.1 points - 16th)

  • TE: Cole Kmet (120.4 points - 19th)

  • Key Injuries: None

The 2024 rookie quarterback class stepped up in a major way for dynasty managers. With Caleb Williams outproduced in fantasy by Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix. Williams was largely seen as having the best situation going into the 2024 season given his weapons but that did not translate as people had hoped. The offensive line could use some improvement; however, an offensive scheme producing quicker throws would help a line that was asked to block the fourth-longest of any in the NFL in 2024 (per PFF). Look for the Bears to surround Williams with better protection and, more importantly, a new head coach who supports a more promising offensive vision.

Recommended dynasty trades to acquire Caleb Williams:

1. Caleb Williams + Xavier Worthy + ‘25 2.04 pick ←→ Bryce Young + Ladd McConkey

2. Caleb Williams + Jameson Williams + ‘26 2nd rd pick ←→ Bryce Young + Nico Collins + ‘25 3rd rd pick + ‘26 3rd rd pick

3. Caleb Williams + ‘26 1st rd pick ←→ Justin Herbert + ‘25 2nd rd pick

Will the highly coveted Ben Johnson leave the Motor City for… another city? After years behind the tv analyst desk, does Rex Ryan get the chance to once again be heckled by Gang Green? Only time will tell. For the time being, enjoy the NFL’s Wildcard Weekend matchups as we get closer and closer to Super Bowl LIX down in New Orleans!

So you lasted this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!