Kliff Kingsbury favored to be next NFL head coach fired; where will Matt Rhule land?

The current favorite is the Arizona Cardinals' Kliff Kingsbury, who opened at +150 at the sportsbook following the news of Rhule's firing. Next is Denver's Nathaniel Hackett (+200), who has come under intense scrutiny during the Broncos' 2-3 start.

Both coaches are considered offensive gurus, but 2-3 Arizona is ranked 15th in total offense while the Broncos are 18th despite a blockbuster offseason trade for quarterback Russell Wilson.

Right below Denver is Washington with the 19th-ranked offense behind quarterback Carson Wentz, whom coach Ron Rivera pushed his chips to the center of the table with over the offseason. Not surprisingly, the third shortest odds belong to Rivera (+450), who is 1-4 in his third season at the helm with the Commanders already three games behind in the NFC East cellar.

Detroit's Dan Campbell appeared to have an ascending team entering the season, but the Lions are coming off a shutout loss against a rookie quarterback in New England that dropped them to 1-4. Campbell's odds of being the second coach fired this season have shortened to +900.

Next NFL Coach Fired Odds

Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals: +150

Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos: +200

Ron Rivera, Commanders: +450

Dan Campbell, Lions: +900

Frank Reich, Colts: +1200

Kevin Stefanski, Browns: +1600

Matt Eberflus, Bears: +1600

Pete Carroll, Seahawks: +2000

Mike Tomlin, Steelers: +2200

As for Rhule, he may not be out of work for long despite leaving Carolina with an 11-27 record in two-plus seasons.

A highly respected program builder at the college level, his name has already surfaced in connection with several current and potential openings.

Matt Rhule Next Head Coach Job Odds

Nebraska: +150

Auburn: +300

Wisconsin: +500

Arizona State: +750

Colorado: +800

Stanford: +1000

Oklahoma: +1200

Texas A&M: +1600

Any NFL Team: +3300

Nebraska, Wisconsin, Arizona State and Colorado have already parted with their coaches this season, likely with an eye toward getting ahead of other teams in the race for candidates such as Rhule.

Carolina gave Rhule, 47, a seven-year, $62 million deal in 2020 while paying $6 million to buy him out of his Baylor contract. The Panthers still owe him more than $40 million, but reportedly would not be on the hook for the full amount should he land another coaching job.

Rhule has a 47-43 record in seven seasons in the college ranks with Temple and Baylor. Auburn (Bryan Harsin) and Stanford (David Shaw) are among the programs that could be interested in Rhule should they move on from their current coaches.