NFL
By Dominic Choroski
With the firing of Doug Pederson, there are now seven head-coaching vacancies in the NFL, almost double the average for past years. However, not all jobs are created equal. Some are more attractive than others. Some offer a better chance for success. And others seem to be destined for failure. So which job is the best? Which is the worst?
1. Los Angeles Chargers:
The best coaching job in football resides in sunny Los Angeles. The number one reason is likely-Rookie of the Year winner Justin Herbert. A franchise quarterback is the most crucial piece in football, so it is a dream come true when you already have one. The Chargers finished with a 7-9 record, but that mark is not reflective of this roster’s talent. One of the best wide receiver groups in the NFL, led by Keenan Allen, defensive leaders in Joey Bosa, Kenneth Murray, and Derwin James, make up a roster that should be ready to compete under proper leadership.
The Chargers have concerns, however. Protecting Herbert is necessary, and after giving up 32 sacks last season, that offensive line needs improvement. Also, LA must decide whether or not to retain Hunter Henry and Melvin Ingram. Then there is the little brother stigma. Sharing a city and a stadium with the Rams, who currently are in the midst of another playoff run, will cast a shadow over this organization. They will have to prove to a fanbase that has many other options they are worth rooting for.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars:
The only reason the Jacksonville job does not top this list is that Herbert has proved capable of playing at a high-level in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence, the lock to be the number one overall selection, still needs to show that he can. After drafting Lawrence, the Jags still have three more picks in the first two rounds. The new coach will need to hit on those selections and use cap space to rebuild a roster that relinquished its top talent the past three seasons. Jacksonville still has exciting, young pieces in place with Antonio Gibson, Laviska Shenault, DJ Chark, and Myles Jack, to name a few. All of these factors mean a quick turnaround could occur.
Whatever coach the Jags hire better prepare for owner Shad Khan. Khan has been open about how he will be a present owner and be the acting general manager. That means possible contention about the direction of the team and the way he should shape the roster. Also, there is a history of moving on from talent in Jacksonville, so even if you build a successful roster, there is no guarantee of that roster staying intact.
Update: The Jaguars signed former Ohio State University Coach Urban Meyer. Meyer last coached in 2018. Now he takes over a team with a bunch of young talent and cap space. Rumor has it Meyer could hire some former Ohio State staffers and players.
3. New York Jets:
I can already see your eyes rolling but hear me out. The Jets are in a better position than it appears. More than any other, this job provides the chance for a coach to implement their culture immediately. A decision needs to be made about Sam Darnold. Whether they keep Darnold or move on, there is a chance to build the roster quickly. With four combined first-round picks between the ’21 and ’22 drafts and $80 million in cap space, the incoming coach will have many assets to manage. Keep Darnold and build around or trade him, get more draft capital or draft one of the top quarterback prospects like Justin Fields. Neither are hopeless options.
Now for the negative: New York is terrible. One winning season since 2010 awful. That type of losing culture is tough to shake off. Then there’s the media. It’s New York, so there will be no shortage of lofty expectations, and time is not a luxury. Lastly, and probably worst of all, is the division. The AFC East quickly became competitive from top to bottom. The Dolphins nearly made the playoffs this year with rookie Tua Tagovailoa, the Bills look like Superbowl contenders, and how long do we expect the Patriots to stay in their current slump? The Jets have catching up to do.
Update: The Jets signed former San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to a five-year deal. Considered by many to be one of the best candidates in the coaching pool this season, the Jets may have taken a step in the right direction. The vital question remains, what will the Jets do with Sam Darnold? Saleh’s success will hinge on this decision.
4. Philadelphia Eagles:
Maybe the most surprising vacancy, the Eagles have positive factors for their next leader. He will be able to pick his guy, whether it be Carson Wentz or Jalen Hurts. The latter is the likelier candidate to be the starting quarterback next year. There could be some helpful picks headed Philly’s way if they trade Wentz. Another positive is having an owner like Jeffery Lurie who will not hesitate to provide the roster’s resources. Lastly, playing in the NFC East gives you an inside track to making the playoffs. The Washington Football Team hosted a playoff game after only winning seven games all year. Why? Because the NFC East is consistently inconsistent.
This roster is in desperate need of youth. Last year, the Eagles had an average age of 26.6 years, the second-oldest in the league. Players like Desean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, and Jason Kelce, are all over 30, and injuries are starting to mount. It is going to take some great draft classes to get back to the Superbowl. Eagles’ fans are also not the easiest to handle. When the team is winning, they will praise the ground you walk on, but when the squad is losing, expect the hate to come.
5. Atlanta Falcons:
What stands out with the Falcons’ job is the amount of offensive talent. Arguably the best receiver in the league, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley headline an offense filled with former first-round picks. They don’t have some of the draft capital concerns that others do. The Falcons also have an owner in Arthur Blank who is committed to winning and bringing this franchise its first Lombardi trophy.
By contrast, quarterback Matt Ryan’s era in Atlanta might conclude. Ryan is still one of the better QBs in the league, but the production hasn’t matched the pricetag since his 2016 MVP. Moving on from him would be ideal. Unfortunately, that move may not be feasible, with teams reluctant to trade for Ryan due to the decreasing salary cap. Then there is the defense. Failed draft picks, lack of discipline, injuries, no matter why, this defense’s struggles need to be corrected. That will be challenging for a team already pressed against the salary cap.
Update: The Falcons will hire Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, as their next head coach. Interesting that the Falcons opted away from interim head coach Raheem Morris who won four games after the team started 0-6 last season. Smith built a successful offense in Tennessee with an impressive balance of a down-hill run game and play-action passing. However, Derrick Henry will not be joining him in Atlanta. How will his scheme translate without a dynamic ball-carrier? We will see.
6. Detroit Lions:
There’s not much cheerful to say about the Lions’ job. The biggest attraction is Matthew Stafford. One of the most underrated quarterbacks of his generation, Stafford, is this team’s life and soul. His toughness and leadership infect, and with help around him, this team could compete with anyone. Outside of Stafford, there are young pieces on both sides of the ball like Jeff Okudah and Deandre Swift. While ownership switched hands recently, with Martha Ford handing the business to her daughter Sheila Hamp, the Lions are a patient organization, sometimes to a fault. Still, knowing that you will have time to deliver results is a plus.
There are a ton of problems in Detroit. A defense that gave up 32.4 points per game. An offense that only averaged 93.7 rushing yards per game. The 23 players they have entering free agency this offseason, which includes their top five wide receivers. All of these concerns make winning in Detroit daunting. Most of all, this is an organization that has been synonymous with losing for decades, with only one playoff win in more than six decades. Whoever gets this job will have decades’ worth of frustration and heartbreak to overcome. Good luck.
Update: Saints’ Assitant Head Coach and Tight End Coach Dan Campbell emerged as the favorite for the vacancy. In-person talks can’t occur until the end of the Saints’ season, so everything is currently on hold but is expected to be a done deal.
7. Houston Texans:
Despite a four-win season, Houston was one of the most attractive destinations in the NFL because of Deshaun Watson. Watson reached elite status with his 2020 play. After trading away one of the league’s best receivers, Deandre Hopkins, and despite Will Fuller missing five games last season, Watson threw for over 4,800 yards, 33 touchdowns, and had a passer rating of 112.4. With a quarterback like that, even a pedestrian roster can win ten games. That’s how great Watson is, and he would have been the main selling point for Texans coaching candidates.
That optimism was all before reports came out that Watson is upset with the franchise’s decision making and emerging rumors that he will request a trade. The Texans are in one of the worst positions in the league. No first or second-round picks the next two years, a lesser offensive line, an aging J.J. Watt, a struggling defense, and multiple large contracts eating into the salary. Also, now a franchise quarterback that no longer wants to be there. Theoretically, trading Watson would get them a bounty of draft picks, but as a new head coach, is that how you want your tenure to start? Absolutely not.
