Most Attractive NFL Coaching Jobs
Which three gigs are most intriguing to potential candidates?
Somehow we’ve already made it to the end of the NFL regular season. While some teams exceeded expectations and are preparing for the playoffs, others have crumbled. With a disappointing season usually comes changes within the organization. This reigns true as six teams have decided to part ways with their former head coach. The current openings include the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Los Angeles Chargers, the New York Jets, the Houston Texans, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Detroit Lions. But which job is most appealing? Below I will give the top three jobs potential coaches should have their eyes on.
Runner up: Houston Texans
The number three slot was really a toss up between the Jets and the Texans. While Houston can offer Deshaun Watson, the appeal stops there. J.J. Watt isn’t the player he used to be, leading to their defense being atrocious last season. Houston finished in the bottom six in total yards allowed per game (third-most), rushing yards allowed per game (most), and points allowed per game (sixth-most). Even with Watson leading the charge the Texans only won four games, securing the third overall pick in the draft. The problem is Houston won’t be making a pick until the third round due to a trade with Miami. The Texans also are projected to have the seventh-fewest amount of cap space, which isn’t a good sign for a four win team. So while Deshaun Watson is an excellent player, he isn’t enough for Houston to crack the top three.
3. New York Jets
The trendy move is to laugh at how bad of an organization the Jets are. They messed up the tank for Trevor Lawrence movement by winning two games down the stretch. They’ve lacked stability for quite some time. New York however, can offer any potential head coach one thing: options. Sure the Jets lost out on the number one pick. They still will be picking second though, which is far from no mans land. If a coaching candidate thinks Sam Darnold can be the answer, New York can select Oregon’s Penei Sewell or Alabama’s DeVonta Smith. If the coach isn’t sold on Darnold however, then New York can draft Ohio State’s Justin Fields who just shredded Clemson’s defense. The Jets’ draft doesn’t stop there either, as New York has nine total selections including five in the first three rounds. The team is also projected to have the second-most cap space entering the offseason. So while the Jets may be a mess right now, any potential head coach will have plenty of options to change that.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Unlike the Jets, the Jacksonville Jaguars successfully completed their tank attempt. Jacksonville will have the first overall selection in the upcoming draft, in all likelihood leading to Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence alone could be enough to put the Jacksonville job in the top two in terms of appeal. The Jaguars however, can offer even more. The team will have 11 total picks, five of which come in the first three rounds. Jacksonville is also projected to have the most cap space ahead of free agency. This is good because the 1–15 Jags clearly need some help. They do have a few nice pieces like running back James Robinson who finished tied for fifth in yards. Receiver D.J. Chark battled injuries last season but he has shown flashes. Still, Jacksonville will take all the help it can get. Potential head coaches will ignore the lack of talent, and instead focus on the potential led by Lawrence and all that cap space.
- Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have everything any potential head coach could be looking for. Rooking quarterback Justin Herbert showed superstar potential this past season. He finished in the top ten in passing yards (sixth-most) and passing touchdowns (tenth-most) despite not playing in the first game. Herbert also proved to not be turnover prone, as he finished with fewer interceptions than guys like Russell Wilson, Tom Brady Matt Ryan, and Kyler Murray. The appeal doesn’t stop at the QB position either. Los Angeles can offer the most talented roster out of all of the coaching vacancies. Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Hunter Henry, Joey Bosa, and Derwin James are all Pro Bowl level players. Even with all of the talent, LA is still projected to have the eighth-most cap space this offseason. Couple that with eight upcoming draft picks, and the Chargers can offer both talent now and options for the future. Los Angeles by far is the most attractive coaching opening.
