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5 assistants who look like future head coaches through Week 6

Alex Goodlett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With at least 10 coaches on the hot seat through six weeks, there's a good chance plenty of teams will be looking for a new leader.

Some teams will look to scoop up a good coach who's run out of rope with his current organization, but the league's top assistants will get their looks as well. Here are five assistant coaches who have done enough through six weeks that they could be on their way to a new team come season's end.

Kyle Shanahan, Falcons

Shanahan has taken what worked for the Falcons through the first half of last season and adjusted it to last longer and use more than just two players. His background as the son of Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Shanahan is well documented and gives him more credibility than the average 36-year-old. He's got the Falcons flying high at the moment, and could be an intriguing prospect for a young team with some offensive weapons.

George Edwards, Vikings

His May DWI arrest could attract scrutiny, but given the way the Vikings' defense is playing under Edwards and head coach Mike Zimmer, all may be forgiven by a struggling team looking to copy Minnesota's model. Zimmer's widely known to have more control on the defense than the offense, but another team may be fine with asking Edwards to "do what you think Zim would do."

Josh McDaniels, Patriots

He's already had the opportunity to be a head coach and failed, but McDaniels appears to have learned from his mistakes. Once a cocky young play-caller, the 40-year-old offensive coordinator was ultra-impressive in adapting his game plans in Tom Brady's absence. He's been saying the right things by staying loyal to the coaching GOAT Bill Belichick, but his boss won't be surprised when teams come clamoring for McDaniels' services this winter.

Jim Schwartz, Eagles

Schwartz is one of the best pressure-creating defensive coordinators out there. Like McDaniels, the Eagles assistant has been a head coach before and made his mistakes, but coaches learn and develop. With a ton of turnover in Philly through the offseason, Schwartz has quickly transformed his new unit into a top-six defense. All he may need is one or two solid pass-rushers to start the same trend somewhere else.

Darrell Bevell, Seahawks

Next in line to leave the Seahawks' coaching staff for a head coaching job is Bevell, their offensive coordinator for the last six seasons. Bevell has been forced to adjust his system several times with players like Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham, and Percy Harvin in and out of the lineup, and he's maintained success. Former defensive coordinators Gus Bradley and Dan Quinn left after consecutive Super Bowl appearances, and it seems only a matter of time before Bevell joins them.

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