By The Associated Press’s David Brandt
Three NFL coaches are out of a job: Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson, New England’s Jerod Mayo, and Las Vegas’ Antonio Pierce. However, a few other teams chose to maintain the status quo in the days after the regular season.
After two seasons, general manager Ran Carthon was fired by the Tennessee Titans, who will have the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. This move rocked the front office on Tuesday. Coaches and front office employees typically have a difficult week following the season’s last game because underperforming teams make swift adjustments.
Two days after the Raiders ended the season with a 4-13 record, Pierce was also fired on Tuesday.
Here are some of the league’s most significant moves:
Las Vegas, Pierce part ways after one full season
Pierce had a 2-2 record at the beginning of his one and only season as the Raiders’ coach, but he went on a 10-game losing streak that threatened to end his tenure.
In addition to navigating the early-season drama surrounding Davante Adams, which ended with a trade to the New York Jets, the Raiders also had to contend with injuries to defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and Maxx Crosby.
The teams said in a statement that they value Antonio’s leadership, both as the head coach this past season and as an interim coach. Antonio has strong Silver and Black ties and was raised as a Raiders supporter. His ability to rekindle the Raider spirit across the entire organization is something we appreciate.
Halfway through the 2023 season, Pierce took over as interim coach. He went 5-4 the rest of the season and garnered enough player support to be hired on a full-time basis.
Mayo fired after rough first year
After the team’s victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Mayo was let go, ending his stay after just one season and a 4–13 record. As the franchise attempts to forge an identity after the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, the Patriots will now start a new rebuild.
Robert Kraft, the chairman of the Patriots, talks at Gillette Stadium following the dismissal of coach Jerod Mayo.O’Malley, Nick, MassLive
A significant portion of the blame for Mayo’s brief stint was placed on Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Monday.
I am responsible for the entire issue. I’m really sorry about Jerod. “Because I put him in a situation that was untenable,” Kraft stated. I am confident that he has all the resources necessary to succeed in this league as a head coach. All he needed was more time before accepting the position.
Pederson let go but GM stays
After Jacksonville’s best team won just four games, Pederson was fired as head coach, but owner Shad Khan chose to keep general manager Trent Baalke on board. Since last season, the Jaguars have dropped 18 of their last 23 games.
According to Christian Kirk, a receiver for the Jaguars, “it’s unfortunate because at the end of the day we all had a hand in it.” Doug has my utmost regard. He has improved me as a guy and as a football player. In my opinion, he is among the best coaches in this league, and the way things transpired is regrettable.
On Sunday, January 5, 2025, in Indianapolis, Doug Pederson, head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, takes a moment to speak to the media following an NFL football game versus the Indianapolis Colts. Overtime was won by the Colts 26–23. (Photo courtesy of Michael Conroy)AP
In contrast to the Super Bowl-winning coach Khan believed he had signed in February 2021, the 56-year-old Pederson had a 23-30 record with Jacksonville. In 2018, Pederson guided the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory.
Titans GM fired after two seasons
Coach Brian Callahan will return for a second season, but Carthon is out for the Tennessee Titans after the team finished 9–25 in his two seasons.
Two days after the Titans’ 3-14 final record, Carthon was fired on Tuesday. In January 2023, Carthon was named general manager of the Titans.
In the April draft, Tennessee holds the first overall pick.
The search for a new general manager will be headed by Chad Brinker, president of football operations, according to Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. Brinker will also be given complete control of the roster.
Naturally, I am extremely disappointed in our dismal win-loss record during this time, but my choice also reflects my worries about our long-term prospects if we continue, Strunk added in her statement. You have no idea how much I adore this team. To our supporters: we are aware that this performance level is unacceptable.
Some teams stay the course
Not all teams that experienced a difficult season have made the decision to alter their course.Despite a 3–14 record this season, the Giants announced on Monday that they are maintaining general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
The team president and co-owner, John Mara, stated, “We decided that staying with both of them is the best course of action for us right now.” In Brian’s instance, I believe he won Coach of the Year two years prior. That didn’t just go overnight. I still think he’s capable of doing that.
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Atlanta, following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants talks at a press conference. (Photo courtesy of Mike Stewart)AP
After owner Jim Irsay announced that general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen would remain, the Indianapolis Colts are sticking with their current leadership.
Additionally, the Miami Dolphins are remaining loyal to their leaders: After an 8-9 season, owner Stephen Ross announced that general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel would be returning.
Ross stated on X that he fully supports Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel in leading our football operations as we move toward 2025. The Dolphins benefit from their good working relationship, and I think consistency is important.
Nonetheless, maintaining leadership does not imply that the current situation is sufficient.
Next moves
It’s possible that the coaching movement will continue. After a 7-10 season that left coach Mike McCarthy under fire, the Dallas Cowboys are among the few teams still considering their options.
On Sunday, December 29, 2024, in Philadelphia, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, center, watches during a pause in play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Terrance Williams for AP)
During the regular season, three NFL coaches were fired: Robert Saleh of the New York Jets, Dennis Allen of New Orleans, and Matt Eberflus of Chicago.
Several of the available positions are being linked to former Titans coach Mike Vrabel. Although he was a teammate of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady when playing for the Patriots, Vrabel is likely to get interest from other teams with openings, maybe including New England.
This report was written by AP Sports Writers Mark Anderson, Kyle Hightower, and Michael Marot, as well as AP Pro Football Writers Dennis Waszak Jr. and Teresa Walker.
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