Where Commanders GM and Coach Jobs Rank Among NFL Openings

The Washington Commanders have an attractive job opening, but is it the best?

The Washington Commanders hunt for a new head of football operations and a new head coach is moving at a rapid pace. 

On Thursday morning it was reported that the executive search had been narrowed to two candidates, and once the Commanders have the right man for that job they'll shift focus to finding the right coach.

All along, however, some have wondered if Washington is even a desirable job for the NFL's brightest. 

Given the amount of them that have accepted interviews with the franchise, we'd say it is, and managing partner Josh Harris certainly believes so.

Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin (17) runs the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

"It's been a good year, of a lot of learning. A long year, obviously no success on the field, but I would say that I think there's a lot of ingredients here for success," Harris said. "I think we have a lot of great players in the locker room. We have a lot of committed people, we have a lot of flexibility around the draft and around our ability to spend for free agents, and a lot of flexibility on our roster. I think we will recruit amazing individuals on the coaching side and on the front office side. So, I'm pretty optimistic that we're going to be able to move the ball here very quickly.”

So it's a good job, but with eight coaching positions available at the time of this writing, where does the Commanders' gig rank among them?

No. 8 - Carolina Panthers

Of the eight jobs available the Panthers have the fifth-most salary cap space projected for 2024 with an estimated $40.4 million to spend.

They also have David Tepper as owner and operator of the franchise and after his decisions led to the near-literal gutting of his roster and premature firing of a head coach given the NFL's worst roster with perhaps its most unreasonable expectations it is hard to think of any coach having options and choosing this job. 

No. 7 - Los Angeles Chargers

Outside of being in California, if you're into that kind of thing, this isn't as great a job as some believe it to be. 

If you're leading the Chargers into 2024 you're doing it with Justin Herbert as your quarterback so you better love him. 

On top of that, you have the least cap space on this list and actually need to shed money to get above the line. And your draft capital is standard, which isn't terrible, but isn't great when you look at how many holes you have and may have to create, all while dealing with an obviously - and understadably - impatient owner.

No. 6 - Tennessee Titans

The reports out of Tennessee are that coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Ran Carthon couldn't see eye-to-eye (to put it lightly) and now the coach is out.

So if you're following Vrabel, you'll need to be able to get on Carthon's page, and presumably do it without running back Derrick Henry.

The other question is whether or not Carthon is a Will Levis guy for the future of the Titans' quarterback position and how you feel about that.

The upside here is the $77.5 million in projected cap to help shape whatever roster you - or Carthon - decides is best for Tennessee.

No. 5 - Seattle Seahawks

At first glance, the Seahawks cap situation appears to be pretty restrictive, but when you dive into the numbers this team can free up around $45 million with a few simple moves, so that's not as big a mountain to climb as it appears.

Two third-round picks in this year's NFL Draft are nice, but the absence of a second hurts. 

No. 4 - Las Vegas Raiders

Is this a good job for anyone not named Antonio Pierce? The locker room - and fans - knows who it wants to play for, and if that's not your name it ain't you.

Still, more than $55 million in cap space and an open quarterback position make it an attractive job if you believe you have what it takes to win the hearts and minds of Raiders Nation.

No. 3 - New England Patriots

Many are acting surprised about the news that Bill Belichick won't be returning to coach the Patriots, but then this has been a topic of conversation all year.

Regardless, Robert Kraft is widely thought of as one of the best owners in the league, and he surely dedicates his efforts toward building a winner.

The fan base is great, and $75.2 million in cap space ensures the resources to reshape this team back into winning form are there. 

But do you want to follow the greatest to ever do it?

No. 2 - Atlanta Falcons

Similar to Kraft, Falcons owner Arthur Blank seems to be well respected by his peers and those who have worked for him in the past. He's not gun-shy, but he's not trigger-happy either.

There's enough cap room here to make good on, and a solid defense to go with weapons like receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson.

Are you the coach who can turn those weapons into wins no matter the fantasy football ramifications? Then this might be the job for you!

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No. 1 -Washington Commanders

Yes, this is a Commanders coverage site, but that doesn't mean this team gets a bump in the rankings just for that. 

The bottom line is this, Washington presents everything a new executive and/or coaching hire could want.

Draft capital, cap space, solid roster pieces without any truly restrictive contracts to deal with, an open quarterback situation - if that's a positive to you, which it would be to us - and an owner who is more focused on making a winner than he is on making money. 

The money will come, but the wins are not guaranteed. And if we're taking over a franchise we want one that we can customize from the floor up, and from Day 1.

These Commanders' openings are the only ones that offer that opportunity.