Chicago is my kind of town, and the Bears happen to be hiring a head coach—again—to front a franchise with a lot of foundation stones already in place. 

At the other end of the spectrum in the known vacancy pecking order: the New York Jets.

Reports of dysfunction, disdain and dialing up Madden Ratings to weigh trade values point to Gag Green for Gang Green, even though there is plenty of talent on the roster. 

Here’s our view of the current NFL vacancies and a few we anticipate being open for good measure:

1. Chicago Bears

Maybe if the Dallas Cowboys change their tune and part with Mike McCarthy after playing the final two games against the Commanders and Eagles, we’d consider that job more attractive. 

But maybe not. 

The Bears are in remarkably solid cap shape with a franchise quarterback, 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, on a relative value contract for three more seasons and a fifth-year option. Talent, young and under contract, on defense and a better-than-expected draft pick only sweeten the deal. 

If there’s a pause in this ranking, it would be whether the front office can make the right decisions to build the best assistant coaching staff. Top assistants no longer come cheap.

2. New York Giants

Prime draft pick, peak salary-cap position and a fan base that wants nothing more than to win. There’s a lot to love about the Giants’ job if Brian Daboll and the endless QB carousel don’t make it to the 2025 season.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

At this time last year, we had the Chargers in this spot knowing it might be without top receivers—Keenan Allen was traded, Mike Williams was released—but Los Angeles had a leg up with Justin Herbert. Will Mark Davis be willing to tackle the elephant in the room and pay a top-flight QB? 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Doug Pederson’s run in Jacksonville isn’t officially over. It’s been more downs than ups, and the former NFL QB who turned Nick Foles into a Super Bowl winner hasn’t had the magic potion to push Trevor Lawrence to the next level.

5. New Orleans Saints

Ownership wants a say in almost everything, and they’re still paying bills from years gone by, setting up a strangled cap that points to another hard reset. It wouldn’t be surprising if GM Mickey Loomis convinced interim head coach Darren Rizzi to stick around.

6. New York Jets

Has a franchise ever needed a culture change more than the Jets?

No one seems clear who calls the shots or why, and the direction and identity of the team is anchored in an over-40 quarterback who lost his fastball.