Ranking the Available Coaching Jobs

Almost immediately after the Cowboys' playoff loss to the 49ers, the speculation about Head Coach Mike McCarthy's job started.  It was Super Bowl or nothing in Dallas this season, and they didn't even win a playoff game!  (For the record, I actually didn't mind the play call.  The problem was Dak went too far downfield.)  But to think McCarthy's job is or should be in jeopardy is ridiculous.

The Cowboys are in a far better position entering next season than the eight teams that will have new head coaches.  And, even among those eight, some are in much better shape than others.  Three of them (the Bears, Giants and Vikings) need to replace their GM, as well.  Frankly, I was surprised a few of these coaches were let go, which is a sign that with the right coaching hire, they could very well be a playoff team next season.

For the sake of this list, I'm including the Raiders, even though I don't think that job will be "available" for long.  Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia did a great job, going 7-5 after taking over for Jon Gruden and leading Las Vegas to the playoffs.  He has the players' support, and I'd be very surprised if they don't make him the full-time head coach.  They haven't yet, though, so they're still counted among the eight teams currently in the coaching market.

I also don't expect two of the recently fired coaches to be out of work long.  Brian Flores has already interviewed with the Texans and will almost certainly end up somewhere.  I'm willing to bet Mike Zimmer will, too.  Frankly, I didn't think either one of them deserved to be fired.  Which lets you know where the Dolphins and Vikings probably fall on this list...

8. Giants: It says all you need to know that of the two New York football teams, the Jets are in better shape right now.  John Mara's not the only one embarrassed about the state of the Giants right now!  Three bad head coaching hires in a row were only the start of it.  (They'll actually be paying three different head coaches next season!)  The roster's also a pretty big problem.  Somebody will be willing to hop on this trainwreck, but it's gonna be quite a challenge for whoever does.

7. Bears: As you know, I've long thought the Bears are overrated.  They clearly think they're better than they actually are.  Which is part of what doomed Matt Nagy (although he was coaching like he didn't want to be there in the last few games).  But they're still in slightly better shape than the Giants.  And, hey, they did make the playoffs last season!

6. Jaguars: Urban Meyer was never going to work.  I don't think anyone expected it to bomb so spectacularly, though.  And Meyer's firing also exposed how dysfunctional that organization truly is.  The Jags do have a couple things going for them, though.  One is Trevor Lawrence.  The other is the fact that they're drafting No. 1 again in this year's draft.  That's a good foundation to build around.

5. Broncos: Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50, and the Broncos haven't made the playoffs since.  That's a long time for such a proud organization.  They're biggest problem is that they've been looking for a quarterback ever since Peyton retired.  Being in the same division as Kansas City doesn't exactly help, either.  They should also have a new owner soon.  All of those sound like negatives (and they are), but Denver's still in slightly better shape than the three teams below them.

4. Texans: Most people expected Houston to be the worst team in the league this season and they weren't even the worst team in their division!  The Texans definitely showed flashes, especially in the two games against Tennessee, so the path towards competitiveness is there.  And things will only get better once they resolve the DeShaun Watson situation.  While I think Flores will also interview other places, he'd be a really good fit here.

3. Raiders: If, for whatever reason, they decide not to make Bisaccia the permanent head coach, this will be one of the more desirable jobs for any candidate.  They're the only playoff team on the list, and they obviously have the talent.  The fact that they already have a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr helps, too.  It's the Raiders, so you know there'll be plenty of pressure.  But there's a reason for that.  Because whoever they hire will be taking over a damn good team!

2. Dolphins: Miami letting Brian Flores go was, frankly, the most surprising coaching move of them all.  The Dolphins didn't make the playoffs in three seasons under Flores, but he went 4-2 against the Patriots and had a 10-win season in 2020.  He definitely had them moving in the right direction, and I think Flores would've taken them to the playoffs next season.  Instead, whoever they hire will get that opportunity.

1. Vikings: After eight years under Mike Zimmer, it was time to go in a new direction.  I get that.  But I wonder if things would've been different had they won some of those one-possession games they lost this season.  Frankly, Minnesota was better than some of the playoff teams.  And they should be just as good next season.  Which is why I think this is the best of the available coaching jobs.  Because whoever comes in should be able to win right away.

Of course, how well these teams (and their new coaches) fare next season could really depend on who they end up hiring.  Will they go with somebody who used to be a head coach but is currently working as a coordinator?  Somebody like Dan Quinn or Doug Pedersen.  Will one of them finally take a chance on an Eric Bienemy or Byron Leftwich?  Other than Flores, will any of the other recently-fired coaches immediately land somewhere else?

Regardless of who they each end up hiring, he needs to be the right fit.  Because if he's not, things won't get any better and these teams will once again be looking to hire a new head coach sooner than they would like.  If he is the right fit, though, it could be a marriage made in heaven!