Who does your team need as head coach?
The annual head coach merry-go-round has officially started following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL regular season. Lovie Smith and Kliff Kingsbury have departed their respective teams, meaning the Texans and Cardinals have joined the growing list of teams in need of a new man at the helm for 2023.
We take a look at those teams looking for a new coach already, and who might be the best fit for the job.
Arizona Cardinals
It has been 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.t
Best fit? Sean Payton has been heavily rumoured with the Broncos. But I think he could be the man to reignite Kyler Murray’s career. He might cost a lot, and may be put off by other issues facing the Cardinals, yet he is an ideal candidate. Their defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is a popular choice too, but expect Arizona to search externally for their new man.
Devner Broncos
The 2022 NFL season has been a disaster for the Denver Broncos. Their hiring of Nathaniel Hackett lasted barely a year and they’ve crumbled to just five wins on the year. Imagine that on the back of being regarded as a potential Super Bowl contender in the offseason.
What do they need? It’s simple, someone to fix Russell Wilson. The former Seahawk has seen a monumental fall from grace since his trade to Denver last year, and it’s difficult to see an immediate solution. Wilson signed a 5-year contract last year worth $245 million, meaning that Denver are stuck with their man for a very long time. And given the amount of draft capital they gave up for him, there is no alternative to target.
It’s not all doom and gloom, we all know that the talent is there for Wilson, he just needs to be in a place where he can start playing well. The Broncos have a stellar defense, too. They just need to sort themselves moving the ball. An offensive mind would an obvious choice to fill the head coach position then, yet given Hackett’s reputation coming in and seeing how he fared, that may be unlikely.
Let’s hope that the Broncos make an improvement next year.
Best fit? Sean Payton is probably the best fit to help with the Broncos’ struggles. Would he take it? I’m not convinced. Frank Reich and Jim Harbaugh are also in the mix. Dan Quinn is less experienced than both but was a finalist in the Broncos’ search last season, which will certainly help his odds this time around. He, and his offensive counterpart Kellen Moore in Dallas, would be a brilliant alternative.
Houston Texans
Predictably, Lovie Smith’s reign in Houston only lasted a single season after he replaced David Culley early in 2022. It was another poor year statistically, finishing 3-13-1, but having finally been let free of the Deshaun Watson affair last offseason, the Texans will be looking forward to continuing their complete rebuild this spring.
While Houston may have missed out on the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Texans have a war chest of draft picks which could tempt many coaches to come and attempt to fix the woes of the past few years.
They are in desperate need of a quarterback, and an offense to start competing. Davis Mills has regressed after a hit stretch in his rookie year to rule him out of QB1 contention, while the aging Brandin Cooks is their only star weapon going forward.
The Texans have first and third round picks coming this year from the Browns following the Watson trade, meaning they have two premium picks in the top 12 of the upcoming draft. With a young roster too, this is now a very exciting position for many.
Best fit? Names such as Joe Brady and Don Martindale have been mentioned. But the Texans opening could be the ideal place for Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy to get his first shot at a head coach position. Bieniemy has been a rumoured candidate for many jobs in recent years, and I expect him to be a popular figure once again.
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.
Technically Saturday hasn’t left his role, but following his eventful reign as interim, it’s highly unlikely that he will return for a crack at the job on a permanent basis.
Concerns? Working with owner Jim Irsay and getting the time to rebuild is definitely an issue after this year. Irsay is without doubt one of the better owners in the NFL, but the chaos of 2022 could put some suitors off.
Yet, 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? Michigan head coach Jim Harbuagh is the bookies favourite, and he would be an ideal selection. A former Colts player, an experienced coach with success with the San Francisco 49ers and now the Michigan Wolverines. No doubt he would positively change the atmosphere in Indy.
Carolina Panthers
The opening at the Carolina Panthers is possibly the most intriguing this offseason. With the team rimming with young talent in a division on the decline, the Panthers are set-up nicely to move in the right direction over the coming years.
Having fired Matt Rhule after starting 1-4 for the season, Steve Wilks has done an impressive job to lead his team to a (given the circumstances) 7-10 finish, or 6-6 during his tenure. Like Jeff Saturday, Wilks remains in control for now. Will his credentials from the past season put him in good stead for the role on a permanent basis? That’s in the air.
Despite Sam Darnold improving this year, Carolina will likely look for a new quarterback, with plenty of options in the draft and impending free agency to choose from. Hopefully it is more exciting times ahead for a team who have struggled in recent years.
Best fit? Ron Rivera’s future in Washington is up in the air, could it be a fairytale homecoming for him? I’m not convinced this is the best fit however. Steve Wilks has firmly put himself into consideration given the Panthers upturn in form, and he would be a positive hire on a permanent basis.
Who else could be in the firing line soon?
There are plenty of coaches rumoured to be under pressure following the end of season fixtures. Mike Vrabel of the Titans, Todd Bowles of the Buccaneers and Dennis Allen of the Saints are all in danger according to many, while Ron Rivera has been mentioned regarding a possible change in Washington.
Elsewhere, Sean McVay has made a big hint that he too could be out as the coach of the Los Angeles Rams, less than a year since winning the Super Bowl with the team. It wouldn’t be a total surprise if he walked away, considered the imminent rebuild the Rams are set to go through following their disappointing defense of the Lombardi Trophy.
What’s certain is that more coaches will depart, and the rumour mill will continue to turn.
