Filling the NFL’s Coaching Vacancies
After a season full of uncertainty, six teams are looking for new head coaches. Let’s examine some of the likely fits.
Atlanta Falcons
Following an 0–5 start to the season, head coach Dan Quinn was fired just two years after leading Atlanta to the Super Bowl. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris took over, going 4–7 as the Falcons showed some fight. Morris was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, finishing with a 17–31 record.
The strength of this team remains the offense, with former MVP Matt Ryan still playing well alongside star receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. But despite their talent, the Falcons still blew several fourth quarter leads — a disappointing hallmark of Quinn’s tenure.
After Quinn, hired for his work as Seattle’s defensive coordinator, never seemed to replicate the Legion of Boom with any of his Falcons defenses, an offensive-minded coach like Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy or his Titans counterpart Arthur Smith should be front-runners. Bieniemy has already had an interview with Atlanta, alongside 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Morris.
Best fit; Arthur Smith, Titans OC
Detroit Lions
Matt Patricia was fired after Thanksgiving, and never appeared to be popular in Detroit. Supposedly a defensive mastermind, Patricia’s defenses often hamstrung the Lions over the past two seasons, ranking 31st in 2019 and dead last this season. After struggling with injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford and Covid-19 plaguing the coaching staff, Detroit limped to 5–11.
Questions loom over Stafford’s future, with several reporters expecting him to either move on or retire. The Lions hold the 7th overall pick, which could position them to select a replacement quarterback. Several key players are free agents, and with around $12 million in cap space, the Lions may struggle to retain the likes of Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.
So far the Lions have applied to interview Bieniemy, Smith, and former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Lewis would be the most proven candidate, having led Cincinnati to five consecutive playoff berths from 2011 to 2015.
Best fit; Marvin Lewis, former Bengals HC
Houston Texans
After several head-scratching roster moves, the Bill O’Brien era ended in October. The Texans stumbled to their worst finish since 2017, despite the continued heroics of quarterback Deshaun Watson. With a better supporting cast, Watson is an MVP-calibre player. Trouble is, O’Brien emptied the cupboard on his way out.
O’Brien traded away first and second round picks for tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Brandin Cooks. Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins was shipped to Arizona for a pittance. Without a first rounder until 2022 and with only around $18 million of cap space, it will be a challenge to add game-changing talent around Watson.
So far Houston has shown interest in Panthers OC Joe Brady, former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Eric Bieniemy has also been linked with the team, and could help lift the Texans back into contention.
Best fit; Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs OC
Jacksonville Jaguars
In Doug Marrone’s first full season as head coach, the Jaguars surprised everyone by going 10–6 and reaching the AFC Championship game. Since then Jacksonville has imploded, and after a 1–15 season, Marrone was fired.
Having torn their roster down to the studs in recent seasons, the Jaguars have the most available cap space in the league at just under $75 million. They also control the 1st overall pick, putting Jacksonville in position to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, arguably the most impressive prospect since Andrew Luck. The Jaguars also hold the Rams’ first round pick.
With a patient owner, Jacksonville’s next coach has plenty of resources to initiate a full rebuild. Reports suggest that the Jaguars are pursuing Urban Meyer, the former Ohio State head coach. Jacksonville needs winners, and Lawrence and Meyer have won four national titles between them.
Best fit; Urban Meyer, former Ohio State HC
Los Angeles Chargers
After another disappointing season defined by questionable game management and heartbreaking one score losses, the Chargers fired Anthony Lynn. Despite the rapid emergence of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, L.A. stumbled to a 7–9 finish.
There’s a lot to like about this job. Herbert set new rookie records for touchdown passes (36) and 300 yard games (8) this season and looks like a bona fide franchise quarterback. The roster also boasts several stars like receiver Keenan Allen and defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
So far, the Chargers have requested interviews with Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Panthers OC Joe Brady, Giants OC Jason Garrett and Colts DC Matt Eberflus. Daboll seems like the best fit. There are parallels between Herbert and Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who Daboll has nurtured into one of this seasons best signal callers.
Best fit; Brian Daboll, Bills OC
New York Jets
Hired to develop quarterback Sam Darnold, Adam Gase’s strange tenure leaves the Jets with more questions than answers. The biggest continues to revolve around Darnold, especially with New York holding the second overall pick.
Aside from Darnold, the Jets’ roster is littered with gaping holes and lacks game-changing playmakers on both sides of the ball. With the second-most available cap space in the league (around $72 million), general manager Joe Douglas has the resources to make sweeping changes and hire his own guy as head coach.
New York plans to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Bills OC Brian Daboll, and Colts DC Matt Eberflus. The Colts defense has been one of the league’s most solid units under Eberflus, and with ties to current Jets personnel he could be a steady hire for New York.
Best fit; Matt Eberflus, Colts DC
