Six NFL teams are looking for head coaches, while others conduct end-of-season reviews that could lead to additional vacancies.
Conversations with league insiders from the management and coaching ranks shed light on which vacancies should be most appealing from candidates' perspectives. The Denver Broncos top the list, but the fiercest competition might have been for the bottom two spots.
1. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are the only team on this list with an established winning culture, an established strong front office and a roster that can win now, particularly on defense. Denver also has a strong home-field advantage, with a loyal fan base and the ever-present altitude. One insider called Denver the second-best home-field advantage in the league, behind Seattle.
"They have a top-performing defense with the talent to support it, specifically against the pass in a passing league," one insider said. "If Wade Phillips stays, you are supported by a veteran defensive staff that knows what they are doing. On offense, they have two very good receivers in a passing league. I also think [John] Elway is a top-notch executive willing to make the tough decisions, whether it's with John Fox or Gary Kubiak. He tells it like it is, and he has a good gut."