Arizona and Las Vegas still need a head coach, but we should know soon
It’s hard to believe (not really) the last two NFL teams, out of 10, to hire a head coach are the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. Those two teams are usually so far ahead of the curve (not really) and on top of things.
Anyway, as of Thursday evening eight of the 10 coaching vacancies have been filled and eventually (maybe by the time you read this) the other two will be as well. Let’s take a look at what’s transpired so far.
And let’s see if any of the new coaches can have the success New England’s Mike Vrabel had in his first year with the Patriots or what Seattle’s Mike McDonald had in his second season with the Seahawks.
Atlanta Falcons — Kevin Stefanski
New team President Matt Ryan may have gotten it right in his first assignment with his old team. Stefanski has done what not many others have — he won in Cleveland. Twice he took the Browns to the playoffs and even won a playoff game in 2020 before falling to eventual AFC champion Kansas City. The 44-year-old takes over a Falcons team with good, young talent on both sides of the ball. If QB Michael Pennix is healthy a Stefanski/Pennix pairing could be the best combo in the NFC South for a long time.
New York Giants — John Harbaugh
When the former Baltimore head coach became available the Giants did all they could to get him and it worked. Harbaugh brings 18 years of head coaching experience, all with the Ravens, to the Meadowlands. There’s a lot of work to be done for sure. Harbaugh was the right man to do it. The Giants aren’t necessarily going to the Super Bowl any time soon, but they won’t be a laughing stock any longer either.
Pittsburgh Steelers — Mike McCarthy
The fourth head coach in about 100 years for the Steelers broke the team’s mold. Expected to hire a young, defensive-minded coach who would grow with the position and be around for a minimum 10-15 years, the Steelers went away from their MO. McCarthy, 62, is a grizzled veteran and an offensive minded coach. He won a Super Bowl in Green Bay and a bunch of regular-season games in Dallas. The Steelers are hoping for more of the former than the latter.
Baltimore Ravens — Jesse Minter
There is definitely some irony in the fact that the Ravens replaced John Harbaugh with Jim Harbaugh’s right-hand man. Minter was Jim’s defensive coordinator both with the Chargers and at Michigan. Probably the most attractive job open, Minter will be expected to win right away and has the talent to do so. The key for the first-time head coach will be who he hires to be his offensive coordinator. And how well that coach works with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Tennessee Titans — Robert Saleh
This was another surprise in that it was expected the Titans would look for an offensive-minded coach to groom last year’s No. 1 overall pick QB Cam Ward. Saleh, an excellent defensive mind, failed in his head coaching run with the New York Jets and gets another shot with a team that is 6-28 over the past two years. Saleh hired another guy who failed in New York, Brian Daboll, to run his offense and groom Ward. Will both do better in Nashville? Stay tuned.
Buffalo Bills — Joe Brady
After firing Sean McDermott the Bills decided to kind of stay the course and promoted the 37-year-old Brady, their offensive coordinator, to the top spot. It remind me just a little bit of back in 1990 when the Philadelphia Eagles fired Buddy Ryan after three playoff appearances and three losses and promoted OC Rich Kotite. The Bills are hoping for better results. Obviously QB Josh Allen, who was in on the hiring, likes Brady. So that could go a long way.
Miami Dolphins — Jeff Hafley
When the Dolphins hired long-time Green Bay executive Jon-Eric Sullivan to be their GM it opened the door for the 46-year-old Hafley. The former Packers defensive coordinator and one-time Boston College head coach knocked the door down in his interview. Hafley’s defense in Green Bay started last season well, but after losing Micah Parsons to a torn ACL fell apart. Hafley promoted Bobby Slowik to be his OC and like with all defensive-minded head coaches, this will be a key to the team’s success.
Cleveland Browns — Todd Monken
There were a few teams, especially the Giants, who wanted Monken as their offensive coordinator. The Browns took it a notch higher and made them their HC. On the surface it’s not a bad hire for a team that doesn’t always get things right. But here’s the big question: Is Monken really better than Stefanski?
Arizona Cardinals — ?
Mike LaFleur, the Rams OC and the brother of Green Bay head coach Matt, is believed to be the front runner. The Cardinals could also be waiting on Seattle OC Klint Kubiak as well. Kubiak cannot be hired until after the Super Bowl.
Las Vegas Raiders — ?
Kubiak is believed to be the Raiders top choice as well. So the 39-year-old may have his choice of the two remaining jobs. If he picks the Cardinals over the Raiders, Las Vegas may go with Denver QB coach Davis Webb.
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