A total of six NFL teams will be looking for new coaches this off-season, and there are many interesting candidates to choose from. There are proven veterans, like Marvin Lewis and Jim Caldwell, who know how to roll back franchises, while there are also offensive prodigies that can end up guaranteeing a big promotion, like Joe Brady of the Carolina Panthers. Then there are the favorites, who are almost guaranteed to find a head coach job this off-season, including names like Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
While there are dozens of coaching candidates who will have a chance to impress their potential future employers during interviews, which prospects are considered the best substitutes for each team? Which technical assistants are leading the high scores of these six teams? Below, we will try to identify the top three coaching candidates for each team.
Many believe that Texans’ work is the least attractive on the market. Houston has some problems with the cap (- $ 17,739,400 according to Over The Cap), but more importantly, they have no choice in the first or second round! It is difficult to rebuild a team without high draft choices, and even more difficult if you do not have the limit of space to spend in a free agency. So who should Texans aim for as their next head coach? An offensive prospect to help Deshaun Watson continue to develop? A defense-oriented coach to help repair a pitiful unit that allowed for a 160.3 yard high per game in 2020? In addition to all these questions, is it better to hire someone who has succeeded in establishing a culture or making a pamphlet about a young candidate who might end up becoming the best coach in the franchise’s history?
Main candidates: 1. Brian Daboll 2. Jim Caldwell 3. Joe Brady
Falcons are better off with their choices in the 2021 draft than Texans, but worse off when it comes to space limits. Over The Cap has – $ 24,394,641, which is the third worst situation in the league. They also have an aging quarterback, Matt Ryan, who has a hit of nearly $ 50 million next season that makes it virtually impossible to trade. This will be an important hiring for Falcons, as they need someone who is flexible with the type of list they will inherit in 2021, but also keeps an eye on the future. They need to have a clear plan when it comes to ushering in a new era of Falcons football.
Main candidates: 1. Eric Bieniemy 2. Robert Saleh 3. Raheem Morris
The main question regarding Lions is what to do with quarterback Matthew Stafford. He signed until 2022, but it is possible that Detroit would embrace a complete reconstruction and look for a new flag in this off-season. In addition, this coach must have an idea of how to fix the Lions defense, which was statistically the worst in the league this season. Although it did not work the last time to hire a defensive coach, it is possible that they will try again. I like Saleh at this location because the 49ers’ defense was the fifth in yards allowed per game this year and came in second place last year when they reached Super Bowl LIV. Also, with how excited he is on the sideline, he looks like just a coach who can establish a culture of success.
Main candidates: 1. Robert Saleh 2. Eric Bieniemy 3. Marvin Lewis
The second overall choice in the NFL’s 2021 Draft isn’t looking so bad since Justin Fields lost 385 yards and six touchdowns at Clemson Tigers last week, but it is also possible that the team will decide to move on with Sam Darnold in the center. The Jets got a few choices in the draft thanks to the replacement of Jamal Adams and also have the second largest capitalization space. I imagine the Jets are looking to hire an offensive-minded coach, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they accepted a defensive-minded prospect who was clear and articulate with the type of culture they want to implement like Matt Eberflus Saleh. I dare say that the Jets have a very attractive job opening now?
Main candidates: 1. Eric Bieniemy 2. Matt Eberflus 3. Arthur Smith
It doesn’t matter if the Jaguars go with a coach who is known for his defense or attack, they will likely cast former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the number one choice overall. However, there is one candidate who could stir up the fake elections: former Ohio state coach Urban Meyer. Recent reports indicate that Jacksonville is interested in him, and if that comes to pass, one wonders whether he would move Fields out of Ohio instead of Lawrence. Improbable, but not impossible. Considering his connections with the state of Florida since the time he led the Gators in two national championships in the early 2000s, it makes sense that northern Florida is an intriguing landing site for Meyer. In addition, Jaguars enter this off-season with the most NFL matches.
Main candidates: 1. Urban Meyer 2. Robert Saleh 3. Eric Bieniemy
I have to admit that I was a little surprised that the Chargers decided to part ways with Anthony Lynn, especially considering that he has had to deal with so many injuries in recent years. But the bottom line is that this Chargers work is now available, and man, is it attractive. We learned that they have their future quarterback in Justin Herbert, who has talented receivers on the outside to play, like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Chargers also have an impressive defense when they are in good health, as Joey Bosa, Derwin James and Kenneth Murray have potential for stars. On Tuesday, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported that the Chargers have an interest in Meyer, so you must imagine that he would be number 1 on their board of directors.