For the first time since 2006, the New Orleans Saints are looking for a new Head Coach. Sean Peyton retired from the team a few days ago after 16 years with the team. With 3,186 passing yards and 1,990 rushing yards, the Saints had a unique offense this season. The choice I believe is perfect for the Saints is Eric Bieniemy. Currently, he is the Offensive Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs since being hired on in 2013 by Head Coach Andy Reid. He is one of the components of the explosive to the Chiefs offense that has been one of the tops in the league. With that addition, Alvin Kamara’s stats will go up exponentially with a pass-first offense and with Kamara being a dual-threat running back. And with Michael Thomas expected to come back fully healthy next year, the Saints look to go back to being one of the most dominating teams in the NFC with whoever is the head coach by the time next season comes around.
The Minnesota Vikings relieved Mike Zimmer after 7 years with the team. The Minnesota offense has been slowly gaining momentum over the last few years with Dalvin Cook, and the additions of Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, and others. While Mike was able to utilize the team as many as hoped, it’s my belief that Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles would be a great fit for the role. This year with the Bucs, Bowles has held opposing teams to 22.3 points per game. While it’s not ideal it’s still one of the best in the league and given Bowles almost 30 years of experience in the league with 5 as a coordinator and 5 as a head coach he has the knowledge to possibly push the Vikings over the Packers as the top in the NFC North division.
The Raiders have been in a bit of a situation this season early in the year, having to let Jon Gruden go after some controversy. However, with interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, they were able to turn it around and make the playoffs for the first time since acquiring quarterback Derek Carr. While I think Rich Bisaccia should be making the calls next year for the Raiders, Brian Flores is a great call for the team has turned around things in Miami from them being one of the bottom teams in the league to fight for a playoff spot. Even though Miami wasn’t able to produce with Flores, his defensive first mindset is ideal for the Raiders moving on from here and with the team they currently got.
In a surprise turn of events, the Miami Dolphins relieved Brian Flores of his head coaching duties after being brought on in 2019. Daboll continues to cement his status as an offensive mastermind capable and one of the top Coordinators in the league with creating mismatches anywhere on the field. His role in the development of Josh Allen has been overlooked, though the football world got a small preview after watching current pupil Mitch Trubisky carve up his former team in the preseason. Having an eye for matchups that can transcend scheme is a gift few offensive coaches possess, which makes Daboll’s skill set all the more valuable. Some in coaching circles were surprised to see him miss out on the cycle last year, especially with some obvious fits with the Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and the up-and-coming Miami offense.
The Broncos fired Vic Fangio after 5 disappointing seasons with no winning records. Denver’s offense has been disappointing at this point since Manning retired in 2015. While they have been trying to turn things around, the offense hasn’t been as elusive as it could’ve been with the bottom five offense but with this hire, I believe they can turn things around. While the assumption is that he is the product of a system in Green Bay like Josh McDaniel’s in New England, it is Hackett’s combined expertise in both the trendy outside zone system and his roots in the West Coast offense (where Aaron Rodgers’s basis of understanding lies) that help the engine go. The Packers’ offense has been particularly dominant since his arrival (Week 1 notwithstanding), and he has the ear of one of the NFL’s most demanding quarterbacks, proving that he can run the gamut between reclamation project and established star.
