While the playoffs are getting all the attention in the NFL, already four teams have confirmed hiring new coaches and more are on the verge of doing so. The next few months will be critical for these franchises which have opted for a new direction. Here is the situation.
Jaguars de Jacksonville
New coach: Urban Meyer
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It’s the hiring that has caused the most noise in the current cycle as Meyer has enjoyed tremendous success in college with the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes, winning three national titles in the process. Everywhere he’s gone he’s won, but it will be his first jump in the NFL. Several pilots in the NCAA failed their attempt. The Jaguars are in terrible shape and they had to give it a big shot. Recognized as a brilliant offensive spirit, Meyer inherits the first overall pick in the next draft, who will obviously be quarterback Trevor Lawrence. There are holes all over the roster, but the Jaguars are crammed with choices and have plenty of wiggle room under the salary cap. Meyer may say that football is football, but it would be best if he surrounded himself with coordinators with extensive experience in the NFL.
New York Jets
New coach: Robert Saleh
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The Jets probably aren’t as bad a team as their 2-14 record has indicated this season, but tensions were running high between ex-coach Adam Gase and his players. The franchise was looking for a leader who would be respected and appreciated by the troops. This is exactly what Robert Saleh was in San Francisco, the man who energetically guided the 49ers defense. Last year it was one thing to do it, but this year, despite a storm of injuries that ravaged its roster, the defense still delivered the goods. With the Jets, Saleh will clearly not have the same defense within reach, while the offense risks being rebuilt. You’ll have to be patient, but like Meyer in Jacksonville, he arrives in a good financial position and with a bank of choice filled. His first big decision: rebuild Sam Darnold or change his plan as a quarterback?
Chargers de Los Angeles
New Coach: Brandon Staley
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Many expected an offensive coach to surround promising young quarterback Justin Herbert. Instead, the job went to one of the hottest young defensive minds on the tour, Brandon Staley. At 38, Staley has done an outstanding job with the Rams’ defense helping them advance from the 20e rank before arriving at the very first under his rule this year. A follower of the highly respected defensive guru Vic Fangio, Staley brings an interesting aspect to Herbert’s development as he himself was a quarterback for three years in the college scene. Staley arrives in an ideal situation, in the sense that a young franchise quarterback is in place, with a promising roster around him.
Falcons d’Atlanta
New coach: Arthur Smith
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The Falcons got their hands on a candidate who was in high demand. Arthur Smith has served as the Titans’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and, under his rule, the offense has progressed dramatically. He fits into the current wave of young innovative offensive minds, at 38 years old. It will be interesting to see him in Atlanta without the workhorse he had in Derrick Henry and with an aging quarterback in Matt Ryan. Smith represents a wind of change after the last 13 seasons in Atlanta, marked by drivers with a defensive vocation. The Falcons must prepare this year for the possible relief of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, who will arrive sooner rather than later.
Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans
Vacant jobs
The Texans are desperate to mend the broken pieces with star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has felt ignored in the process to find a new general manager and head coach. His prime candidate to lead him would be current Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whom the Texans finally interviewed on Monday. At the Eagles, research is in full swing and the team leaves with a certain delay, she who has barely shown the door to Doug Pederson.
Detroit Lions
Coach to be confirmed: Dan Campbell
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If Campbell’s hiring goes through, she will likely be the one that comes out the most from left field of all the vacancies. This doesn’t mean that this is a bad choice for Lions, but rather that no one saw it coming. Since 2016, Campbell has served as the assistant head coach and tight end coach with the Saints. It’s hard to get noticed under a boss who takes up as much space as Sean Payton, but it seems that the players appreciate his qualities as a unifier. Campbell was interim head coach of the Dolphins in 2015 (5-7 record).
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