Look at who's the bossKeith Groller, The Morning Call
Mike Shanahan to Washington and Bill Cowher to Cleveland seem like plausible scenarios, except that both the Redskins and Browns have new guys in charge - Bruce Allen in D.C. and Mike Holmgren in Cleveland - and Shanahan and Cowher aren't exactly the types who enjoy taking orders.
If the Skins really want Shanahan as reported, they'd be wise to sign him now before Dallas implodes in the playoffs and Jerry Jones offers him half the state of Texas to lure him to the southwest corner of the NFC East.
While Cleveland's the front-runner, don't count Carolina out of the Cowher sweepstakes, even with the Panthers' stated intention of keeping John Fox for 2010 as a lame duck. Cowher would continue the Panthers' defensive mindset, and he'd bring pizzazz to a franchise lacking in personality.
Opportunities are scarceDan Pompei, Chicago Tribune
The annual game of coaching musical chairs in the NFL won't have as many chairs as usual, so big dogs like Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher won't have as many attractive options as they would have in other years. It's possible there won't be more than five openings.
As a result, it looks like Shanahan may be stuck going to the Redskins and working with owner Dan Snyder. The Redskins have made no secret of their interest in Shanahan, but it would be difficult for any coach to win with this organization.
As for Cowher, he could be a fit with Tampa Bay if the Bucs decide to get rid of Raheem Morris after only one year. The Bucs like big names, and they have not been hesitant to make changes.
Of course, another option for either coach would be to sit out another year and wait for something better.
It's about the moneyDean Jones, Baltimore Sun
With another NFL regular season behind us, the coaching rumor mill begins. Thanks to a seemingly endless supply of money in his pockets, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder will dictate Mike Shanahan's destination for next season.
There's little doubt that the former Broncos coach will be running the show in the nation's capital. It's only a matter of how much he'll be paid.
Since the Panthers are reportedly committed to John Fox for the final year of his contract, Bill Cowher's situation is more complex. The Bills and Buccaneers positions aren't as attractive as the Panthers job, so don't expect Cowher to come out of the studio. Cowher holds all the cards in this situation. If he doesn't get the biggest deal for a coach in history, there is no reason to leave CBS. It won't happen this year.
Situations could changeSam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
This could change any minute, but my best guess is Mike Shanahan will be coaching the Redskins and Bill Cowher will coach the Bills.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder has never been shy about opening his wallet, even though his football decisions are frequently bad ones. Shanahan would have the type of personnel control he had in Denver - newly hired Redskins GM Bruce Allen wouldn't step on his toes - and even though the Broncos missed the playoffs his last three seasons there, he could make a difference in Washington.
As for Cowher, he was conspicuously coy Sunday when asked about a report he had a "stealth" meeting with the Bills last week before they made Buddy Nix their new GM.
It's entirely possible team officials could have been making sure he was OK with the hire.