This year saw a number of head coaching changes in the NFL. Some of these changes were expected like the Jaguars, and some unexpected like the Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings. The total of teams making a change at head coach is now at eight teams. Each situation is a little bit different.
The Dolphins finished the season winning eight of their last nine games and proved to have one of the best secondaries in the league. A job in Denver has no guarantee on what the long-term ownership looks like for the Broncos. With so many variables, let’s rank the best situations for an incoming head coach.
8. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans paid David Culley $22 million for his one season managing the mess that is the Texans organization. Culley inherited a depleted roster, and the pending lawsuits of Deshaun Watson’s 22 sexual assault violations. The fact that Culley was able to win four games coaching a Davis Mills led team is impressive, and I believe he deserved another year. However, while Culley managed the headache of the Watson situation for the entire season, it is still far from over. Somehow teams are still open to trading for the accused quarterback, but it’s been reported the Texans are looking into hiring Brian Flores who was interested in trading for Watson. Ownership in Houston is a mess and the organization is one you wouldn’t want to work with. Keep an eye on how they continue to handle the ongoing Watson drama. Whatever head coach they hire has his work cut out for him. And if I’m being interviewed, I’m taking no less than the $22 million that the inexperienced David Culley got.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas made the playoffs in this year’s extended Super Wild Card weekend. The team had high hopes going into the season as a playoff contender and then the revelation of Jon Gruden’s homophobic, misogynystic, and racist emails that led to his firing, and the fatal DUI arrest that killed a women and her dog changed the outlook of their season. However, somewhere along the line the team rallied together and made the playoffs. The team also backed interim coach Rich Bisaccia before the team also let him go. Questions remain around Derek Carr. Will they bring him back? Will they add in free agency? Quarterback options are limited this year. Vegas may be a good place to live with a new and incredible stadium. Nothing is decided for the Raiders, but Mark Davis has said he will do his due diligence when making their official hire.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
A disaster. That is what the coaching situation was in Jacksonville last season. Urban Meyer caused headlines nearly instantly by hiring disgraced Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle. It got much worse for the Jags. Meyer wasted valuable draft picks on players like Travis Etienne with no plan on how they might use him. The rest of his time in Jacksonville continued as bad as it started. The Jaguars do have potential at quarterback after drafting the coveted Trevor Lawrence. However, after a 12 touchdown and 17 interception season, it is hard to tell how he might perform long term. Ownership for the Jaguars is willing to spend to win, and with their cap space and the first pick in the draft again this year, they do have potential to build onto their roster. But in an age where coaches don’t get more than a three-year window, I don’t know if success is achievable for them in that time.
5. Denver Broncos
Denver has had a strong roster for years, but been unable to put a valuable passer behind center therefore halting their progression. The team has begun courting buyers for the franchise and a Jay-Z backed group, or John Elway and Peyton Manning group are reported to be interested. That is a giant question mark when evaluating this coaching vacancy. How involved will John Elway continue to be? The Hall of Fame quarterback has proven again and again his inability to evaluate talent under center. The fan base is strong and Denver is a fun place to live, but not the most attractive opening in my opinion.
4. New York Giants
What has me rating the Giants in the middle of the list? I don’t know. I’m not sure what Daniel Jones is as a quarterback, but I know he is better than any options in the draft or free agency. Can Saquon Barkley stay healthy? How do you involve wide receivers like Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney in the offense? You also have the pressure that is constantly revolving around the New York franchises. The team is still missing a GM. However, there is still something about the Giants job that I find appealing.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins narrowly missed the playoffs in two straight seasons, and finished this season winning 8-of-9 games and still fired Brian Flores. Flores came into the least attractive jobs when he was hired and leaves in part because of John Harbaugh flirting again with the pros and owner Stephen Ross’ affinity for the University of Michigan. Miami has a crazy amount of salary cap space, draft picks, a strong roster, and room to improve it. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains a mystery for Miami, however, Jaylen Waddle and having consistency and belief from an offensive coordinator could push them over the top. Also, what coach wouldn’t want that defense and secondary? And living in Miami? The right coach could bring the Dolphins where they haven’t been since Dan Marino.
2. Chicago Bears
Matt Nagy shouldn’t have been fired if you ask me. Nagy has a better record than Mike Shanahan, has taken the Bears to the playoffs twice and was still fired. Justin Fields showed flashes of hope as a potential franchise quarterback this season. However, he was very inconsistent. The Bears should allow space with a new coach to truly evaluate Fields, and a new offensive scheme built around him could benefit them a lot. It’s a historic franchise and has a decent roster as it currently stands with the potential to build around it. I believe with the right coach that Justin Fields and the Bears could take strides next season.
1. Minnesota Vikings
How could you not want the Minnesota Vikings job? That offense is electric. Having one of the best wide receiver groups in the league to go along with a terrific running game this is an attractive job. I have never and will probably never have faith in Kirk Cousins however, but with those weapons it is still worth trying. Ownership has a track record of giving their coaches time to prove themself. With a few defensive upgrades, this is a coaching job I’d accept immediately.
What are your thoughts on the most attractive coaching jobs in the NFL? Let us know in the comments below!
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