The first NFL head coaching vacancy to be filled was the last one to open: The New England Patriots announced that Jerod Mayo would be promoted from linebackers coach one day after the team announced Bill Belichick was departing "amicably" after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles.
Belichick was the eighth head coach to step down either during or shortly after the regular season. Black Monday included firings of the Atlanta Falcons' Arthur Smith and Washington Commanders' Ron Rivera. Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans was fired the next day, and by the end of the week, Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks had parted ways along with Belichick from New England.