NFL next head coach odds: Who will Browns, Giants, Panthers hire?
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Black Monday in the NFL means two things: coaches getting fired and bettors speculating about their replacement.
The guessing games have already begun for the Browns, Giants, and Panthers after moving on from Freddie Kitchens, Pat Shurmur, and Ron Rivera, respectively. The Redskins also need to fill a vacancy, though they're expected to hire Rivera as early as Tuesday.
Here are the odds for what coach will take over at each of those three spots that remain in question:
Cleveland BrownsWe start with the Browns, who have arguably the most attractive roster and least attractive infrastructure of the three openings.
Cleveland entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations and expectations, but the team stumbled to a 6-10 record, which might sell short how bad the Browns were at times.
| COACH | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Kevin Stefanski | 11-4 |
| Josh McDaniels | 3-1 |
| Greg Roman | 6-1 |
| Mike McCarthy | 6-1 |
| Urban Meyer | 7-1 |
| Dan Campbell | 8-1 |
| Marvin Lewis | 10-1 |
| David Shaw | 12-1 |
| Eric Bienemy | 12-1 |
| Lincoln Riley | 12-1 |
| Matt Rhule | 12-1 |
| Jim Caldwell | 14-1 |
Kevin Stefanski (11-4)
Stefanski should be the betting front-runner for this job after nearly getting it a year ago. He'll likely be the hire this time, too.
His work with talented skill-position players in Minnesota should make him an attractive option in Cleveland, where Stefanski's effectiveness using play-action could revitalize Baker Mayfield.
Josh McDaniels (3-1)
The Browns have requested permission to interview McDaniels and Roman, but the former is the better bet after interviewing for this job in 2014. The Ohio native was "enthusiastically interested" in the job last year, according to The Canton Repository's Steve Doerschuk, and Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot says McDaniels is the Browns' first choice.
McDaniels has already been a head coach once, and he unceremoniously left another team at the altar. Would he be willing to clean up the mess in Cleveland?
Mike McCarthy (6-1)
McCarthy is expected to interview for this job, and he's the betting favorite at some shops to get the gig. His experience makes him intriguing after Kitchens became a first-year flameout, and his familiarity with many members of the Browns' front office - including general manager John Dorsey - means there could be a legitimate connection here. This might be the dark-horse bet to make.
New York GiantsThe Giants possess the pieces to be interesting, with Daniel Jones as their potential franchise quarterback, and an elite playmaker in Saquon Barkley. New York also plays in a very winnable division if it can find the right head coach to follow Shurmur's uninspiring tenure.
| COACH | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Matt Rhule | 2-1 |
| Josh McDaniels | 5-1 |
| Dan Campbell | 7-1 |
| Robert Salah | 7-1 |
| Kevin Stefanski | 15-2 |
| Don Martindale | 9-1 |
| Urban Meyer | 10-1 |
| Greg Roman | 12-1 |
| Mike McCarthy | 12-1 |
| Brian Daboll | 14-1 |
| Jay Gruden | 14-1 |
| Jim Harbaugh | 16-1 |
| Jason Garrett | 20-1 |
| Lincoln Riley | 20-1 |
Matt Rhule (2-1)
Rhule logged his only NFL experience in 2012 as a Giants assistant when current general manager Dave Gettleman was on the same staff. There's mutual interest in a reunion, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, which obviously gives him strong value even at short odds.
Everything points to the Baylor coach signing the dotted line in New York.
Josh McDaniels (5-1)
If Rhule doesn't take the job, the other major contender is McDaniels, who's a "prime candidate," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Working with Daniel Jones could be attractive for McDaniels, who hasn't been able to find his usual success with the Patriots' offense this year.
Jason Garrett (20-1)
Laugh all you want - and you probably should - but only a few weeks ago Garrett was rumored to be eyeing the Giants' job.
Hiring him would be hard to rationalize for New York, but getting 20-1 odds is too rich to ignore on a pairing reported to be "real and legitimate," according to Rapoport.
Carolina PanthersWith second-year owner David Tepper making his organizational goals clear in recent weeks, this hire could go a long way toward shaping the Panthers' trajectory.
Tepper has expressed a desire to hire a progressive and analytically minded coach, which makes it a bit easier to project the path of this search.
| COACH | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Mike McCarthy | 5-2 |
| Josh McDaniels | 4-1 |
| Greg Roman | 6-1 |
| Matt Rhule | 6-1 |
| Kevin Stefanski | 7-1 |
| Perry Fewell | 7-1 |
| Brian Daboll | 8-1 |
| Jay Gruden | 9-1 |
| Marvin Lewis | 9-1 |
| Mike LaFleur | 9-1 |
| Jim Harbaugh | 16-1 |
Mike McCarthy (5-2)
Just as McCarthy's familiarity with the Browns' brass makes him a possible dark horse in Cleveland, his Pittsburgh connection to Tepper has fueled speculation about filling this vacancy for weeks. Maybe there's fire here to go with the smoke, as McCarthy has already met twice with the Panthers and that link is gaining steam.
Still, the odds feel too short compared to another candidate on the list...
Josh McDaniels (4-1)
Carolina has long coveted McDaniels, who's the quintessential fit for Tepper's desired coaching profile. He's hailed as an offensive genius and has been innovative while guiding New England's attack for years.
The mutual flirtation between McDaniels and the Browns is the biggest impediment to this hire, but if the 43-year-old covets the infrastructure and talent in Carolina, he'll likely take the job.
Greg Roman (6-1)
If McCarthy proves too "old school" for Tepper, and McDaniels and Rhule are taken, Roman deserves serious consideration.
Baltimore's offensive coordinator has been instrumental in turning Lamar Jackson into the league's MVP favorite. Combine that with how Roman used former Niners QB Colin Kaepernick, and he could possess the blueprint for reigniting Cam Newton, who has experienced success running the pistol offense.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.
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