NFL coaching changes: Ranking the openings
Black Monday in the NFLÂ is always turbulent. This year, we saw a bevy of jobs come open, including the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions. Additionally, the Oakland Raiders are technically without a coach until Jon Gruden signs on, while the New York Giants have had an opening for over a month.
Not including Oakland, there are five openings around the NFL. Which ones are the most enticing and which should be avoided by anybody with options? Let’s run them down.
5. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have really turned their fortunes around over the past decade, becoming a viable NFL team after 85 years of misery. So why so low? The quarterback situation is a mess, with there being a real chance that Carson Palmer is either completely shot or not coming back at all. Additionally, Larry Fitzgerald is close to retirement and ownership is notoriously cheap in free agency. This is a roster on the downturn.
4. Chicago Bears
The attractiveness of this job depends on your opinion of Mitchell Trubisky. The Bears have a solid defense and the running game is terrific with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. However, Trubisky will need an offensive-minded coach who can get the best out of him, all while general manager Ryan Pace has to surround the youngster with actual wide receivers. Chicago is a great city, a huge market and a desirable destination for free agents. If Trubisky is your flavor, this is a nice job.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions have not won a championship in 1957, making one wonder if it’s ever going to be in the cards. As for the current situation, the Lions have a terrific quarterback in Matthew Stafford, but he’s also the highest-paid quarterback in the league. His deal is going to hinder building up the rest of the roster, also something that has to be factored in. Also, Detroit plays in a division with Aaron Rodgers and a very solid Minnesota Vikings team. Not an easy road to success.
2. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are polarizing here, but I’m working off the assumption (and it’s a major assumption) that Andrew Luck is healthy for next season. With Luck, Indianapolis immediately becomes a vastly-improved team. General manager Chris Ballard has to prove himself, but he came in with high marks as a personnel man in Kansas City. The Colts do have a mercurial owner in Jim Irsay, but it’s hard to overvalue the presence of Luck … if that shoulder is right.
1. New York Giants
Thi is a controversial choice, but here are the reasons. John Mara and Steve Tisch are excellent owners who have won two championships in their current power structure. Dave Gettleman is a rock solid general manager who was a wizard in the draft process with the Carolina Panthers. Eli Manning is aging, but he’s the perfect bridge for a young quarterback, a guy who can be taken with the second-overall pick. Finally, the roster has ample talent. This team just won 11 games a year ago. And, you live near New York City. This is a terrific opportunity.
