RADIO
As we approach the start of NFL training camps, a pivotal event that will significantly impact each team's roster and future success, it's crucial to consider the role of head coaches in shaping these prospects. The 2023 NFL season was a mixed bag, with some coaches overseeing performances that left fans and owners questioning their decisions.
My rankings are based on an assessment of recent records and decisions. I've excluded first-time head coaches who are yet to prove themselves, such as Mike Macdonald of the Seahawks, Dave Canales of the Panthers, Brian Callahan of the Titans, and Jerod Mayo of the Patriots. I've also removed Antonio Pierce of the Raiders as a candidate, as this will be his first full season without the interim title.
Get ready to ignite the rumor mill because we're about to unveil the head coaches who might be coaching their final games this season.
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Honorable Mention: Robert Saleh, New York Jets
Regular-season record: 18-33 (.353)
It’s safe to say that Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback to start for Robert Saleh during his short stint as a head coach, but unfortunately, it only lasted for four plays. Besides that, historically lousy quarterback play is what he had to work with over three years.
Again a nice job by Wilson to make a guy miss but once he does that he can never do anything with it. Corey Davis is wide open here and Zach has time to throw but he doesn’t do it. He’s the worst QB out of structure in the league pic.twitter.com/kCgDbQGANA
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) October 28, 2022
Therefore, I’m giving Saleh a pass here. While the offense has been bad, the defense (Saleh’s bread and butter) has finished in the top 4 for the second consecutive year. That side of the ball is elite. But now he is betting on an aging Hall of Famer and a below-average offensive coordinator to make the offense competitive. Can it be done? There's a glimmer of hope and a chance for redemption.
5. Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints
Regular-season record: 24-46 (.343)
Dennis Allen is considered not just a good coordinator, but a great one. His defense has finished in the top 10 over the past three seasons, and his play-calling is considered stellar.
Thoughts on this?
(Via @PattonAnalytics) pic.twitter.com/NxvnxNIxgg
— NOF (@nofnetwork) February 3, 2024
The problem is that the Saints have not looked like themselves since the Sean Payton era ended. While Allen was a defensive mastermind under Payton, questions are swirling about whether he has the chops to lead the team to glory as a head coach. He was a part of the decision to bring in Derek Carr and it has been a very polarizing one, as many in the NFL world believe that he is not a quarterback with whom you can win (Carr’s career win-loss record is 72-87).
4. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Regular-season record: 37-30 (.552)
After finishing with an 11-6 record last season and being above .500 in his career, one could question why Kevin Stefanski is even on this list. We can start with the 45-14 tragic loss to the upstart Houston Texans during Wild Card weekend.
But the biggest reason is Stefanski hitching his wagon to Deshaun Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed contract. Not only did the Browns (and Stefanski) commit to a quarterback who has only played 12 games in two years, but his quarterback play has been below average. The Watson contract might be the worst in NFL history, and it has set the Browns back (once again) with three more years tied to Watson.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson throws a bad interception😬 pic.twitter.com/CXnmEX3WXW
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 10, 2023
It’s also telling that the results of the 2023 NFLPA team report cards have Stefanski as the lowest-rated head coach, stating he was inefficient with their time and would not listen to the players.
3. Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
Regular-season record: 4-13 (.235)
It’s only been one season with Gannon so far. With a subpar roster, it’s easy to give Gannon another chance, but head coaches are supposed to be a leader of men.
Nvm, they might actually go 0-17 https://t.co/Or9Zd79O2u
— Tom Grossi (@tomgrossicomedy) September 1, 2023
With that cringy speech, I can’t take him seriously. This will be his final season.
2. Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears
Regular-season record: 10-24 (.294)
The more I researched Eburflus, the higher he kept going on this list. Not only is the record disappointing, but it was also mired with some controversy, starting with the resignation of the defensive coordinator and the firing of the running backs coach in the middle of last season.
Eberflus was the one who handpicked this staff. And how were his in-game adjustments? The Bears lost three games last year when they held a double-digit lead, which tied them for the most in NFL team history. That in itself could put him on the hot seat.
The excellent news for first overall pick Caleb Williams is that he is stepping into a much better roster situation than his predecessor. Can he overcome the coaching? I predict Eberflus will be a bridge coach for Williams until they are ready to compete in the playoffs.
1. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
Regular-season record: 167-102-2 (.620)
The Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy in 2020, and expectations were sky-high. After all, this was a coach with a Super Bowl ring and a reputation for offensive prowess. Can a Super Bowl-winning coach be considered bad? The answer is yes.
Under McCarthy's leadership, the Cowboys still need to live up to the lofty standards set by the franchise. Despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in the league, the Cowboys have consistently underperformed, struggling to make a significant impact in the postseason with a 1-3 record. What about his time with Green Bay? Since being fired by the Packers, they have achieved three straight 13-win seasons without him.
Discipline? Over the past three years, the Cowboys have been the most penalized team in the NFL (300 penalties total) and consistently burn timeouts to get the right players on the field. There are also several examples of McCarthy squandering opportunities with clock management.
McCarthy Receipt #4: Poor clock management (again)
Scenario: Tie game, late in the first half
Mistake: Would've given DAL a shot at a touchdown
Severity: Moot. The Cowboys ended up winning anyway. pic.twitter.com/mi44VOLuWf— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 20, 2023
It won’t help that the Cowboys lost one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, as Dan Quinn accepted the head-coaching job in Washington. Also, the Cowboys were quiet on the free-agent front (cap problems and looming contract negotiations), so with the loss of Quinn and a weaker roster, they should look to replace McCarthy in 2025.
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