It’s time to handle the annual conundrum for NFL franchises on the lookout for a brand new coach: The finest candidates are sometimes coordinators of groups making lengthy playoff runs, so hiring groups are prepared to attend a number of additional weeks to fill their open positions?
That’ll seemingly be the case once more this 12 months, with six head teaching vacancies – Bears, Saints, Raiders, Jaguars, Jets and Patriots – and doubtlessly one or two extra earlier than it is throughout. Then, because the playoffs start, we provide eight coordinators whose postseason performances, good or dangerous, will impression their capability to take the subsequent step and be provided a head teaching place.
BEN JOHNSON, Lions OC, 38 years previous
He’s undoubtedly the brass ring of the group, having been coveted for NFL jobs the previous two offseasons and displaying uncommon endurance in ready for the best opening to take him. Could that imply staying within the NFC North with the Bears? With a longtime quarterback like Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville or a promising younger participant like Drake Maye in New England? The Lions have been the highest-scoring offense within the NFL this 12 months, and to some extent, Detroit could possibly be shut out after their bye week and would have much more gives to select from. But with each win and each explosive offense showcased on a large platform, Johnson argues that NFL groups look ahead to it — or wink, strike a deal on the facet and preserve it quiet — and take probably the most anticipated step of this cycle of hiring.
BEST FIT: Bears
AARON GLENN, Lions DC, 52
Sunday’s spectacular win over the Vikings to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed earned Detroit and Glenn an off week within the playoffs, and solidified his place as maybe probably the most coveted of defensive assistants. Several groups have already requested permission to interview him just about through the bye week, and he has robust ties to these groups, having performed for the Jets and Saints and likewise coached for New Orleans. Glenn is working with a Detroit protection decimated by accidents, however a powerful playoff efficiency would assist his place for these openings.
BEST FIT: Saints
LIAM COEN Bucs OC, 39
Coen might be the quickest rising of this group. A 12 months in the past, he was Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, however earlier than that he labored with Sean McVay as a Rams assistant. His first 12 months in Tampa was exceptional, with the run sport going from thirty second within the league final season to fourth in yards/sport, and even larger enhancements due to Baker Mayfield, who threw 41 landing passes. Coen’s predecessor, Dave Canales, turned a single season in Tampa into the Panthers’ head teaching job final 12 months and made progress in his first 12 months, so this could possibly be seen as a stepping stone, particularly if the Bucs they handle to win a playoff sport or two. If the seeds maintain, they might face three groups they beat within the common season — Washington, Philadelphia, Detroit — to get to the Super Bowl.
BEST FIT: Back with Bucs
TODD MONKEN, Crows OC, 58
Baltimore has repeat MVP potential in Lamar Jackson, and that is Monken’s second 12 months working with him. This season, Monken has added stability to the passing sport with the most effective speeding assault within the NFL. The Ravens hosted a convention championship final 12 months and misplaced to the Chiefs, but when they have been spoilers and earned a visit to New Orleans, Monken can be the most important beneficiary as a training candidate. He was the pinnacle coach at Southern Miss, received school nationwide championships as a coordinator at Georgia and has now discovered constant success with the Ravens.
BEST FIT: Jaguars
Bills or Ravens: Who is the true risk to the Chiefs within the AFC?
BRIAN FLORES, Vikings DC, 43
Flores has been a head coach previously, going 24-25 with the Dolphins in 2019-21, so he has extra expertise than most assistants he faces. Minnesota’s protection was excellent, tying the NFL lead in takeaways and serving to the Vikings to a 14-3 report, the most effective ever for a wild card. They are favored as they journey to face the Rams this weekend, and a powerful efficiency towards what’s the lowest-scoring offense out of 14 playoff groups would assist elevate its standing. Flores has a pending lawsuit towards the NFL, citing bias in his firing by the Dolphins, and it is tough to know whether or not that would impression his candidacy to return to the pinnacle teaching ranks.
BEST FIT: Jet
VANCE JOSEPH, Broncos DC, 52
Like Flores, Joseph has been a head coach previously, and it hasn’t essentially gone nicely, with an 11-21 report with the Broncos from 2017-18. He returned to Denver and put collectively an awesome season to get the Broncos again to the playoffs: third in scoring protection, seventh in whole protection, the type you want to make the postseason with a rookie quarterback. Joseph has already been linked to a number of jobs, but when the Broncos can go to Buffalo and preserve the Bills’ offense in test and advance — sure, that is a giant if — he’ll be one of many assistants who will get probably the most reward subsequent week.
BEST FIT: Back with the Broncos
LARGE MATT, Chiefs OC, 46
It’s humorous that of all of the profitable groups this season, the one whose assistants do not generate a lot curiosity is the Chiefs, who’re 15-2 and looking for their third straight championship. Unlike defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Nagy wasn’t all that dangerous as a head coach: 34-31 in 4 years in Chicago, two playoff appearances. Andy Reid’s teaching tree hasn’t produced many profitable coaches, but when Kansas City makes it to their third championship, groups will need to go after Reid’s high assistants to assist them discover the identical successful tradition and atmosphere for theirs. deductible.
BEST ADAPTATION: Raider
Because it is ridiculous that the Chiefs aren’t Super Bowl favorites
KLIFF KINGSBURY, Commanders OC, 45
Remember all of the speak of the “Kliff cliff” when Washington bowed out with three straight losses in late November? The Commanders bounced again to win 5 in a row, scoring 30 factors per sport with a rookie quarterback. If Jayden Daniels can preserve this up within the playoffs, one other staff with a younger QB might look to Kingsbury and see a possibility. And do not forget that Kingsbury labored instantly with Caleb Williams at USC in 2023. Washington OC seems to be on the surface wanting in proper now, but when the Commanders can get two wins within the playoffs, the previous Cardinals head coach will launch interviews to return to managing a staff.
BEST FIT: Return with the commanders
Before becoming a member of FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years protecting the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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