The New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel on Sunday morning. It was the most obvious pairing of this coaching cycle. It was also the first domino to drop, but it may be the only domino to drop for a while.
As it currently stands, the other major coaching candidates, specifically the Detroit Lions coordinators, are still in the playoffs. Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and Joe Brady will all be in the playoffs next week. Brian Flores will be as well if the Minnesota Vikings win Monday.
This quartet likely make up multiple teams’ top guy. The New Orleans Saints are one of those teams. Teams eyeing Johnson and Glenn will wait for their decision which could stall the process.
You simply don’t make the decision to move on because your target is in the playoffs and you’re tired of waiting. There are five remaining destinations and all of them have been connected to Johnson or Glenn.
Once at least one of them makes a decision, you may see teams make hirings more rapidly. Johnson is viewed as the top offensive minded candidate. His decision now opens the door for other stylistically similar coaches to land in spots.