Following the conclusion of the 2021-2022 NFL regular season, numerous openings at head coach became available around the league. With many talented coordinators around the league looking for head coaching roles, vacant spots were filled in hopes of turning franchises around.
The Denver Broncos hired Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett as their next HC. This is a very solid hire for the Broncos, as Hackett comes over from Denver with a very good offensive mind and will replace Denver’s former HC Vic Fangio (who had a defensive first HC). Hackett was the offensive coordinator for 3 years in Green Bay from (2019-2021) where he worked alongside Packers HC Matt LaFleur, QB Aaron Rodgers and led the Packers to becoming the league’s best scoring offense in the 2020 season. Hackett could potentially lead the Broncos in pursuit of a trade for star QB Aaron Rodgers this offseason, who he coached for 3 years in Green Bay. Hackett, also worked alongside Doug Marrone, QB Blake Bortles and RB Leonard Fournette to lead the Jaguars to the AFC Championship in 2017, (where they lost 24-20 to the Patriots). In conclusion, if given star QB Aaron Rodgers in a trade this offseason with the Packers it could help him succeed due to the familiarity with him in Green Bay.
The Chicago Bears hired Colts DC Matt Eberflus as their next head coach. Eberflus comes over from the Colts, where he coached a solid defensive as the Colts DC in his 4 years there (2018-2021). That defense included several stars and good players (Darius Leornard, DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye, Xavier Rhodes, Kenny Moore II). The coaches he’s hired for his staff have been quite impressive. It’s believed that Eberflus won’t be calling plays.
The New York Giants hired Brian Daboll as their next head coach. Daboll comes over from the Bills, where he helped develop Josh Allen into a star QB. He also worked with QB Tua Tagovailoa in Alabama who is going into his third season as the Dolphins QB in 2022. This hiring is good for the Giants because it gives them a good offensive mind who has seen it all at several places. Daboll worked with several good assistants on Bills HC Sean McDermott’s coaching staff, and he brought a few of them over with him to his staff on the Giants. Daboll has worked for 6 NFL teams during his NFL Career resume- Patriots, Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, Bills, and now the Giants.
The Las Vegas Raiders hired Patriots OC Josh McDaniels as their next head coach. This is a solid hire for the Raiders as McDaniels comes over from the Patriots with previous head coach experience with the Broncos (2009-2010). He failed during his tenure as the Broncos HC going 11-17 in 2 seasons coaching the team. McDaniels will look to redeem himself with the Raiders as he gets a second chance as a HC in the NFL. The coaching staff that McDaniels has put together for Las Vegas so far has been solid retaining WRs coach Edgar Bennett, bringing over Giants DC Patrick Graham as the new DC, Patriots QBs coach Bo Hardegree as the new QBs coach, and Ohio State DC Chris Ash as the new DBs coach. This hire could prove to be good or bad pending on the moves that new GM, Patriot’s director of player personnel, Dave Zeigler makes this offseason and the way McDaniels handles the big decisions in critical moments.
The Minnesota Vikings hired Rams OC Kevin O’Connell as their next HC. This is an amazing hire for the Vikings, as O’Connell comes over from the Rams with a brilliant offensive mind. O’Connell will now have to decide whether to keep, or get rid of QB Kirk Cousins this offseason (who was signed to a two-year $66 million extension with the Vikings back in March of 2020). O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah will work together to improve the Vikings defense and offense (team needs include EDGE, CB, S, LB, and TE). With how young O’Connell is at age 36 only time will tell if heś ready to take on the tough, and critical decisions of this job in his first run as a HC in the NFL. In conclusion, I believe O’Connell’s great offensive mind will prove to end up as a phenomenal hire for the Vikings when it’s all set and done.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Eagles Super Bowl winning HC Doug Pederson. This is definitely the best head coaching hire. Pederson had a 42-37-1 record, and went 4-2 in the postseason. He helped lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history in 2018. Pederson also did this with 2017 NFL MVP frontrunner QB Carson Wentz suffering an injury versus the Rams in Week 14 and having backup QB Nick Foles going on an insane run in the postseason to help Philly win its first Super Bowl. Pederson’s expertise in big games and critical moments will pay off for Jacksonville.
The Miami Dolphins hired 49ers OC Mike McDaniel as their next HC. This is a very good hire for the Dolphins, as McDaniel comes over from San Francisco with a great offensive mind and he’ll be ready to take on his first Career HR job in the NFL. McDaniel worked with 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan to set up an offense that perfectly fits and revolves around star WR Deebo Samuel. This hire will prove to be an amazing one for Miami as McDaniel is an offensive genius and knows how to put his players in the best position for them to succeed.
The Houston Texans are promoting their own DC Lovie Smith as their next HC. Despite Smith going to the Super Bowl in 2001 as the Rams DC and in 2006 as the Bears HC, this isn’t a very good hire for Houston. Smith has previously coached 2 teams in the NFL and 1 in NCAA football. Smith will have to improve on his last run as HC with the Bucs where he went 8-24 in 2 YRs coaching that team. However, his experience and strong coaching staff could benefit him this time around in his third year as a HC in the NFL.
The New Orleans Saints are promoting their own DC Dennis Allen as their next HC. This is a very solid hire as Allen had previous head coaching experience with the Raiders in. Allen has been with the Saints as assistant DL coach, secondary coach, senior defensive assistant, and defensive coordinator. Before he can have any success in New Orleans, Allen will have to work with GM Mickey Loomis to find a starting QB for their team this offseason. Right now, Allen is set up for success as long as he finds the right QB for the team. This will prove to be a very rock-solid hire for the Saints as long as they find the right QB.
