Turns out Chip Kelly might be on the unemployment line only a matter of days.
The former Eagles head coach, fired Dec. 29 after going 26-21 in Philadelphia with a pair of 10-win seasons, is interested in replacing Jim Tomsula in San Francisco.
Here’s what else is spinning around the mill as the NFL coaching carousel shifts into gear:
Cleveland Browns
OUT: Mike Pettine was fired Sunday. He went 10-22 in two seasons.
WHO’S NEXT: Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase is a top candidate. He has been an acquaintance of owner Jimmy Haslam and might not be bothered by the peculiar personnel department structure being controlled by lawyer Sashi Brown. Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is on the interview list, as is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Don’t rule out a swing at Chip Kelly, the man the Browns tried to hire three years ago.
BUILDING BLOCKS: A solid defense and one of the best offensive lines in the league — a label dependent upon center Alex Mack’s return — are attractive reasons to believe the future could be bright. Cleveland has cap space to utilize but failed draft picks, including four first-rounders, under GM Ray Farmer equals some rebuilding to be done. Alas, the Browns still haven’t found their long-term answer at quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts
OUT: Chuck Pagano is not expected to be retained. Pagano was in the final year of his contract.
WHO’S NEXT: There is shooting for the moon, and then there’s roping the solar system. The Colts are said to be gunning for the golden goose of college football, Alabama’s Nick Saban, and wouldn’t mind an audience with Saints head coach Sean Payton, who went to college about 90 minutes away at Eastern Illinois University.
BUILDING BLOCKS: Quarterback Andrew Luck entered 2015 as a potential MVP candidate and ended the year on the sideline because of rib and kidney injuries. The Colts have age and depth issues to address, but figuring out what the future regime — GM Ryan Grigson is no guarantee to be back — wants to feature impacts who is part of the foundation along with Luck.
Miami Dolphins
OUT: Joe Philbin was fired on Oct. 5. He was 24-28 in four seasons. Interim coach Dan Campbell could interview for the full-time position.
WHO’S NEXT: Campbell was handed a 1-3 team and went 5-7. The Dolphins are planning to interview Mike Shanahan and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who was able to coax top effort out of Ndamukong Suh in Detroit.
BUILDING BLOCKS: Committed to quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Suh, the Dolphins have a solid core that includes wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Given mounting injuries and his age, left tackle Branden Albert might need to be replaced and top pass rusher Cameron Wake will be returning from a season-ending Achilles injury.
New York Giants
OUT: Tom Coughlin will meet with management Monday. Giants posted three straight losing seasons for the first time 1978-80.
WHO’S NEXT: Sean Payton is the name leading the rumor mill in New York since early December. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo could get a look but don’t rule out top college coaches. This is a top-three NFL job because of the market and ownership structure.
BUILDING BLOCKS: The offense is miles ahead of a defense that entered Week 17 ranked dead last in the league with 419.3 yards and 27.1 points allowed per game. QB Eli Manning is signed for four more seasons and after a 29-TD season in 2014, he had his best statistical season ever with 33 touchdowns in 2015 while Odell Beckham Jr. — one ugly Sunday notwithstanding — is one of the NFL’s top receivers.
Philadelphia Eagles
OUT: Chip Kelly was fired Dec. 29 after three seasons and a 26-21 record.
WHO’S NEXT: Owner Jeffrey Lurie wants a coach who understand what it means to coach the Eagles. That reduces the candidate pool significantly, but Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson and current Eagles’ staffers Pat Shurmur and Duce Staley meet that prerequisite.
BUILDING BLOCKS: Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is arguably the best interior pass rusher in the NFL and the Eagles have a few pricey toys for a new coach to deploy. Running back DeMarco Murray came to the Eagles for $40 million in March but wasn’t a Kelly favorite by the end of the season. Cornerback Byron Maxwell made even more cash to sign but a shoulder injury slowed him late in the year. Quarterback is a variable for the third straight offseason. Sam Bradford, acquired from the Rams for Nick Foles, can test free agency.
San Francisco 49ers
OUT: Jim Tomsula was fired Sunday after one season.
WHO’S NEXT: Chip Kelly could push for this job, which would give him some say in personnel and bring him back to the West Coast. Kelly was 26-21 with the Eagles and might be willing to attempt a salvage job with quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Sean Payton is reportedly on the radar of GM Trent Baalke, but the Saints would require a second-round pick in return. Other veteran coaches with ties to the franchise could get a look, including Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan.
BUILDING BLOCKS: NaVorro Bowman came back from injury to lead the NFL in tackles at inside linebacker and is a great centerpiece. Wide receiver Torrey Smith was the 49ers’ top acquisition in 2015 free agency.
Tennessee Titans
OUT: Mike Mularkey, interim head coach, could return. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt was fired Nov. 3.
WHO’S NEXT: Based on CEO Steve Underwood’s comments at the Whisenhunt press conference at midseason, tickets and making a splash will matter. Keeping Mularkey is not a splash. Hiring Chip Kelly was a shore-to-shore prediction when Kelly came available before the New Year based on his relationship with franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota. Guessing what the unpredictable and seemingly unstable management structure might do in Nashville is risky business, and Kelly can cash sizable checks by sitting out a year to make himself available for top college jobs.
BUILDING BLOCKS: Mariota, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, was a pincushion behind a fragile offensive line. The Titans have the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 and might want to get Mariota a polished left tackle to stabilize that front five. Spending cash won’t be a problem. But can a strong cap situation attract talent to Nashville?