Coaching carousel: Panthers' Rivera, Jags' Marrone reportedly safe for 2019
The NFL's coaching carousel is set to start spinning in a couple weeks when the regular season ends, but several high-profile names are apparently not in danger of losing their jobs.
The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to retain their head coaches - Ron Rivera and Doug Marrone - for 2019 despite both enduring disappointing seasons, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport added that while the Atlanta Falcons are expected to make changes to their coaching staff, with former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell a candidate to replace Steve Sarkisian, head coach Dan Quinn's job is safe.
In other coaching news, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald told Rapoport that the players are behind embattled first-year head coach Steve Wilks.
"We all would want him back," Fitzgerald said via text message.
The Panthers are all but eliminated from postseason contention, with FiveThirtyEight putting their odds at one percent. The 4-10 Jaguars have long since been eliminated after starting the campaign 3-1. The Falcons, who entered the season as potential Super Bowl contenders, have stumbled to a 5-9 record.
Jacksonville inked Marrone to a contract extension after making the AFC title game last season, and owner Shad Khan reportedly wants to push forward with the current regime.
Carolina has experienced a sea of changes this season with new owner David Tepper coming in. The billionaire apparently wants to be patient despite reports he's frustrated with the franchise's lack of analytics and old-school approach.
Former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is planning to return to football in 2019 and is expected to be a head coaching candidate for some teams, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Caldwell posted a cumulative 36-28 record during his four seasons with the Lions but was dismissed at the end of the 2017 season.
Meanwhile, Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph could find a new home if he is fired at the end of the season, a source told Schefter. If Joseph is dismissed by the Broncos, he is expected to be considered for the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator role and could eventually succeed Marvin Lewis as the team's head coach. Schefter reports that the Broncos are preparing to move on from Joseph.
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