Black Monday is the first Monday after the last game of the regular NFL season, and it is typically the first day that organizations begin to make sweeping changes to their coaching and management staff.
Much like the popular shopping holiday Black Friday, Black Monday has started to stretch into a weeklong affair. The Dallas Express took a look at some of the biggest changes coming to NFL teams following the fallout:
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
Most of the time, when a coach sticks with a team for 24 seasons and compiles a winning record that includes a record six Super Bowls and is second all-time and third all-time in regular season wins, he retires when he is done. Not so in New England, where Patriots owner Robert Kraft got behind a podium Thursday to announce a parting of ways with Belichick, who was also just one loss short of the all-time NFL record.
For his part, Belichick was polite, honorable, and thankful to his teams and fans, but something tells us that will change when the 2024 season rolls around. Rumors of where Belichick will coach next are already swirling. Despite a dismal 2023 record and some serious hiccups in recent seasons, fans should expect to see his cut-off hoodie and scowling face stalking the sidelines next season.
Rumored landing spots: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers.
Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks
Carroll’s tenure with the Seahawks saw some of the biggest personalities in the league come under one roof. As Cowboys fans know, that can often lead to discord, but somehow, Carroll had a knack for getting guys to work together while encouraging their on-and-off-field antics.
He brought the world the “League of Boom” right at a time when superhero movies were getting hot. He crafted a team that was never great but could scrappily find a win when they needed it. After bringing home the ‘Hawks only Lombardi trophy in history, Carroll is now being pushed out of his role as head coach, but he wasn’t exactly fired. He led the ‘Hawks for 14 years to two Super Bowl appearances and a 137-89 record.
Rumored landing spots: Carroll might not coach next season and could stay with the Seahawks as an advisor.
Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans
If it weren’t for the shakeups mentioned above, Vrabel’s ousting in Tennessee would be a big shock. Like Belichick and Carroll, Vrabel is exiting with a winning record despite a disappointing 2023 campaign. Tennessee took the top seed in the AFC just two seasons ago and has posted winning records in four of its six seasons under his leadership. The last two seasons were brutal for Vrabel, who posted a 13-21 record over the span. Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame this season, and his speech caused a stir with ownership, likely leading to his ouster.
Rumored landing spots: New England was viewed as the most likely destination, but the team had already hired Jared Mayo as of Friday morning. Vrabel could be in the mix in several cities, including Seattle.
Strange fact: Four head coaches fired this season have ties to the New England Patriots — Belichick, Vrabel, Carroll, and Josh McDaniels, who was fired by the Las Vegas Raiders mid-season.