NFL head coaching search: Mike Vrabel to Raiders and best opposite fit for other five openings

When NFL teams begin searching for a new head coach, they often look for a candidate who is a polar opposite to the previously employed. When looking at last year’s coaching cycle, there are multiple examples to support that theory. 

Denver moved on from first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett and hired Sean Payton, who had 15 years of head coaching experience. Carolina moved on from first-time head coach Matt Rhule, and hired Frank Reich. Houston fired longtime NFL coach Lovie Smith in favor of first-time head coach DeMeco Ryans. Indianapolis replaced Reich with first-time head coach Shane Steichen. Arizona parted with the offensive-minded Kliff Kingsbury and hired Jonathan Gannon, who has a defensive background. 

It is noteworthy that four of the five organizations hired a new head coach with the same background on one side of the ball as the previous head coach. The trendy move for ownership has been to hire candidates with offensive experience who can infuse some energy into the team and fan base, so it is not surprising that three teams hired an offensive mind after firing one similarly inclined. 

With all of that in mind, here are the candidates who would make sense for each head coaching vacancy based on the previous coach’s experience: 

Falcons: Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores

Atlanta fired first-time head coach Arthur Smith after he spent two seasons as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator. It would be helpful to know what intentions the franchise has to address the quarterback position this offseason. If the Falcons are committed to taking a rookie in the draft, then they would probably favor an offensive-minded candidate who can relate to that player. If they are interested in a veteran like Kirk Cousins, then it opens the door for them to hire outside of that framework. 

The opposite of Smith would be a defensive candidate with ample coordinator and maybe even…

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Author : Josh Edwards

Publish date : 2024-01-10 17:45:34

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