News update:Ten Consuming Inquiries on the NFL Head Instructing Merry go round

Taking a look at top candidates, best jobs that may come open, where Bill Belichick could land and more…

We are closer to the start of the annual coaching carousel than the start of the NFL playoffs, because, in many ways, the carousel is already spinning. There are three openings (Raiders, Panthers, Chargers) and at least as many to come over the final three weeks of the regular season.

What we have below is a set of burning questions about what might happen on the coaching market. These are questions I’ve been asking myself, and others around the league, and I’ll try to flesh out the answers here. I have a great deal of interest in the coaching space for various reasons, and every year I compile an exhaustive list of future candidates and rising position coaches heading into the season. That process is not perfect, nor is this hypothetical Q&A, but I do think it will capture the spirit of where things sit right now … at least as I see it.

All right, let’s get into it. At the beginning of the season, I had projected two coaches as “locks” for jobs: Lions OC Ben Johnson and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero. While I still think Evero may interview this offseason, which is incredible considering Carolina is the worst team in the NFL, I think it would be difficult for an owner to sell that hire (even though, as we’ve said a thousand times, the process is tragically flawed and owners shouldn’t care about being able to sell a hire).

Again, Evero has been a bright light on two straight dismal teams. He was one of the most sought-after defensive coordinators in last year’s cycle. But I digress.

Johnson will have his pick of the litter. He did not pursue the Panthers’ opening a year ago, but I am certain that David Tepper is still interested in him. Johnson, too, would have the chance to come home. He was born and raised in the Carolinas, and the hire would be something of a major victory for Tepper, who preferred Johnson over any candidates in the 2022 cycle. As a side note, perhaps there is a chance Johnson’s arrival could allow for the keeping of Evero, which would stabilize Carolina’s defense.