Ranking the NFL's 8 Coaching Vacancies From First to Worst
By Henry McKenna
Here’s a look at the head coachemng vacancemes around the NFL after black Monday. We’ll rank them from worst to femrst. (Edemtoremal note: Thems ems an updated lemst from our pemece emn November.)
8. Miami Dolphins
Why it’s desirable: They have a talented secondary, led by Xavien Howard, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. And then they’ve got a sprinkling of talent around the roster with tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive end Robert Quinn, running backs Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage and tight end Mike Gesicki. The coach will likely get a big say in which quarterback the team chooses for their future, though Ryan Tannehill seems like he’s out of the picture, for better or for worse.
Why it’s undesirable: They don’t have an easy means to bring in a quarterback. Their draft pick will be 13th overall, which may not be high enough to get their top quarterback. They don’t have a ton of money to spend with the seventh smallest budget, nor do they have a particularly attractive offensive group to attract a free agent quarterback. The best solution to their quarterback puzzle is probably a blockbuster trade in the draft. So this coach better like the incoming draft prospects. And then there’s the question of when — if ever — Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will relinquish control of the AFC East.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why it’s desirable: The Bucs are stocked at the receiver position with Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Chris Godwin and, if he sticks around in free agency, Adam Humphries. They also have one of the best, young tight ends in the NFL in O.J. Howard.
Why it’s undesirable: The defense is a total mess. The offensive line could stand to improve. And the incoming coach will be stuck with Jameis Winston, which could prove to be a significant challenge. This roster could be an empty canvas in 2019 — which could mean it’s devoid of defensive talent.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
Why it’s desirable: The coach will certainly have job security. Marvin Lewis held the job for 16 years despite his 130–122–3 record. They have a good offensive line and good group of skill players. On defense, they have holes to fill at linebacker, but have standouts in defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap.
Why it’s undesirable: Andy Dalton has limitations, particularly in primetime. He remains 0-4 in the postseason. Their defensive talent is also lacking beyond their line. And the Bengals ownership has proven they don’t love spending their money. The offensive line also desperately needs help.
5. Denver Broncos
Why it’s desirable: They have defensive talent coming out in the defensive front-seven. Von Miller and Bradley Chubb have been good enough for the Broncos to let Shaquill Barrett and Shane Ray depart in free agency without a twinge of regret. They also seem to have a great deal of depth at their skill positions, with Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman running well and rookies Courtland Sutton, Daeshon Hamilton and Tim Patrick all showing promise in the final weeks.
Why it’s undesirable: No quarterback. Case Keenum didn’t look competent in his role in Denver. The Broncos could keep him next season, but he’d be a significant cap burden at $21 million. Their four-game losing streak to end the season means they pick at 10th overall, which could be a decent spot to nab a quarterback. The expectation will likely be that the incoming coach has to turn around this organization quickly, as general manager John Elway might soon be on the hot seat.
4. New York Jets
Why it’s desirable: Darnold is the first and biggest selling point. The Jets defense has some talent with safety Jamal Adams and a few talented cornerbacks — even if they’ve been recently insubordinate. The Jets will also have a boatload of cash to spend in free agency and a high draft pick in the first round.
Why it’s undesirable: Free agency can lend itself to a turnaround, but spending doesn’t always produce positive results. Meanwhile, the Jets won’t have their second-round pick in the 2019 draft due to the Darnold trade. And if you’re not sold on Darnold, you’re not sold on this job. They don’t seem to have a good group of skill players, and they have a few key contributors (linebacker Avery Williamson and cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine) headed for free agency.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Why it’s desirable: Rosen could be appealing to a coach who had him highly rated in the 2018 draft. The skill players around Rosen — which include young receiver Christian Kirk and veterans Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson — should be enough to help Rosen along in his development. Defensively, they have a handful of stars who aren’t playing to their potential.
Why it’s undesirable: The offensive line is a mess, which makes for issues in developing Rosen. And it’s unclear if Rosen is any good. Fitzgerald, the life-blood of the organization, is set to enter free agency in 2019. He could retire or he could sign elsewhere. The former is far more likely than the latter.
2. Green Bay Packers
Why it’s desirable: Aaron. Rodgers.
Why it’s undesirable: Their defense needs renovation, but they can take solace in the fact that the secondary has a pair of young talents in cornerbacks Josh Jackson and Jaire Alexander. Their offensive line has also struggled mightily. They’re in the middle of the road in cap space. With Rodgers comes immense pressure (and massaging of his ego), but there’s a lot to like about the Packers’ job.
1. Cleveland Browns
Why it’s desirable: The defense is supremely young and supremely talented. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is just the same: supremely young and supremely talented. They’ve got leadership with receiver Jarvis Landry and defensive end Myles Garrett. General manager John Dorsey has done nothing but impress. He’s got plenty of fire power to keep working his magic. The Browns should have roughly the fourth most cap space. They’re also loaded with draft picks in 2019. Things are looking up in Cleveland.
Why it’s undesirable: Cleveland. It’s football’s Siberia. It’s where talent goes to die. But that could be a thing of the past now that the Baker era is here and shouldn’t scare a talented coach.