NFL Coaching Carousel
This year seven head coaching jobs came available after six coaches were fired and one (Bruce Arians) decided it was time to retire from the profession. Here are my thoughts on each of the seven hirings:
Bears: Although Matt Nagy was abysmal with his play-calling in the Chiefs playoff defeat to the lowly Titans, I think the 39-year-old will prove to be a good hire for the Bears. Like Nagy, Eagles coach Doug Pederson was once the offensive coordinator for Andy Reid in Kansas City; the blueprint for sustainable success is there for Nagy. Assuming that he can develop Mitchell Trubisky and surround him with playmaking wide receivers, I expect Chicago to win a bounty of games under Nagy’s watch.
Cardinals: I am a bit hesitant to proclaim the hiring of Steve Wilks as a resounding victory for Arizona. Don’t get me wrong, the defense that he coordinated in Carolina was stout this season. But I just don’t see Wilks having success in the desert. The Cardinals’ offense is in shambles, why they would bring in a coach without much of an offensive background is perplexing. On top of all of that, to win in the NFL you need a quarterback and right now, the Cardinals don’t have one.
Colts: This hire has the most potential in my eyes. Josh McDaniels, an offensive mastermind, paired with a once-in-a-generation type of quarterback in Andrew Luck (assuming he’s healthy) has the chance to be the league’s most potent offensive attack. People point to McDaniel’s failed tenure in Denver, but I don’t give that much credence. Being around and learning from the Patriots’ recent run of success will prove to be paramount for McDaniels and the Colts.
Giants: Assuming the Giants take a quarterback with the second overall pick, I think the hire of Pat Shurmur makes perfect sense. He has a long track record of developing quarterbacks and that is precisely what the Giants will need to come back from their nightmarish campaign in 2017. Also, the hiring of James Betcher as his defensive coordinator should pay major dividends, given Betcher’s track record running Arizonas’ defense paired with the talent on the Giants’ defense.
Lions: I think of all Bill Belichick ’75’s assistants, Matt Patricia is the one most similar to The Hoodie. Patricia is defensive-minded and a stickler for details. Assuming that Matthew Stafford and the offense remain intact, the Lions will have a newfound discipline next season that will pay major dividends in the NFC North.
Raiders: I absolutely detest the contract that the Raiders gave Jon Gruden. 10 years/$100 million? That’s *Stephen A. Smith voice* asinine for a man who has been out of coaching for a decade. I am not against paying coaches top-dollar, in fact, I am a proponent given their enormous influence, but just not this particular coach. I think Mark Davis will live to regret this one.
Titans: Mike Vrabel was not a name that I expected to become a head coach this cycle. I think he has potential, but I feel as though Tennessee might be a bit premature on this one. I would have preferred the Titans to bring in an offensive mind, say Chip Kelly, to pair with their young quarterback in need of a jumpstart.
