The NFL head-coach carousel began quickly this season, with nine jobs coming open, including two during the regular season following the firing of Urban Meyer by the Jacksonville Jaguars and the resignation of Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
The other six teams that fired their head coaches were the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants. Then the New Orleans Saints' job opened when Sean Payton decided to retire. It was expected to be a quieter-than-usual cycle, but the nine openings top last year's seven, and two of the teams -- Jacksonville and Houston -- were looking for coaches in the 2021 cycle as well.