Which head coaching spots are still available?
It has been a busy week or so in the NFL head coaching market.
After Frank Reich was announced as the next HC of the Carolina Panthers, we saw the new hires of Sean Payton and DeMeco Ryans at the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans respectively.
The annual head merry-go-round is in full force, but only a couple of spots remain. We take a look at those teams still looking for a new coach and who might be the best fit for the job.
Arizona Cardinals
It has been fairly murky in Arizona for a while. Kliff Kingsbury’s dismal following the conclusion of the season was inevitable, but not many expected the Cardinals to lose as many games as they did this year.
A roster with lots of holes, their best rusher J.J. Watt retiring and the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Ertz ageing, what’s to like?
If the Cardinals can find the right man, they can finally unleash their most prized asset, Kyler Murray. With Kliff now gone, the Cardinals must go after a coach who can get the most out him and build an effective offensive around the quarterback. His ACL injury is a concern, but he can become one of the best offensive weapons in the league once fit.
We know Murray is having a say on the next man at the helm, could that be impacting the search? Who knows, but the Cardinals desperately need to get this appointment right, or face another difficult season.
Best fit? On man continues to be heavily linked; former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. While Flores would be a great appointment, Giants’ offensive coordinator Mike Kafka could be the best option. His rise in 2022 was astonishing, and given his experience working with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, he could be the man to help transform Murray. The Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is also popular choice too, but expect Arizona to search externally for their new man.
Indianapolis Colts
The Broncos season may have been worst, but Indianapolis had by far the most chaotic. Although the Colts didn’t have the same expectations as Denver, 2022 was undoubtedly the one of the worst in its recent history, and certainly one to forget.
Jeff Saturday couldn’t succeed where Frank Reich failing. Despite winning his first game in charge, the Colts won just four games this season, including a single divisional victory, and they were on the losing end of the biggest comeback in NFL history.
However, Saturday hasn’t left his role and infact remains the strong favourite to be given the job on a permanent basis. And given the chaos of 2022, it may be proving difficult to attract much interest in the position from outside of the franchise.
On the plus side, there is still plenty of talent on this team and superstars across the board. With a top-5 selection in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, can the Colts finally get it right at QB?
Best fit? Jim Harbaugh has ruled himself out of contention for a return to the NFL, but someone like Brian Callahan would be a good option. The Bengals offensive coordinator would work well alongside a new quarterback to come in, establishing their own partnership and resetting the tone of Colts football.
