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Five NFL head coaches who are on the hot seat entering 2023 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Every NFL team now has a head coach entering the 2023 offseason.

Sean Payton (Denver Broncos), DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans), Frank Reich (Carolina Panthers), Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals) and Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts) have filled in the vacancies and are hoping for a bright future ahead after inking long-term contracts.

But that won’t be the case for others around the league.

Let’s take an early look at five NFL head coaches who could be on the hot seat in 2023:

Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers
It’s been two straight years of Brandon Staley’s miscues costing the Chargers in crucial games.

Against the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 regular-season finale with a playoff berth within reach, Staley infamously called a controversial timeout late in the game. A tie – which looked highly possible – would’ve seen both teams clinch a playoff spot, whereas the winner would grab a postseason spot and the loser would be eliminated. The Raiders seemingly appeared content to let it be a tie in overtime, but Staley’s timeout looked to have broken Las Vegas’ trust, thus ending in a Chargers’ loss on a last-second field goal and regular-season elimination.

Then in the 2023 wild card road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles blew a 27-0 first-half lead and lost on another last-second field goal, making it one of the largest playoff comebacks in NFL history.

With Justin Herbert starring at quarterback and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore now entering the fold, Staley needs to bounce back in his third season as Los Angeles’ main man, otherwise the pressure of failing yet again could cost him the role.

Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints
The Saints are in quite a precarious situation. Their financial standing is not exactly propitious, they have glaring holes at quarterback and various skill positions and they just suffered their first losing season since 2016.

Now that doesn’t all fall on Allen’s shoulders considering it was his first year in charge and injuries to key players – such as Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry, to name a few – derailed any possible in-season growth. But he also didn’t do himself any favors regarding game management, play calling and other factors that separate the elite coaches with potential to right the ship from those who can’t.

There was already speculation after New Orleans' season ended that Allen may be on the way out, but he said the front office had given him the indication he’d be staying on board. With the NFC South wide open, another poor showing for the Saints could see Allen’s seat warm up. And that could be the case sooner rather than later depending on how they construct the roster in the coming months.

Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy from the Green Bay Packers in 2020, but it hasn’t exactly been a solid catch just yet. They finished 6-10 in his first season, then went 12-5 the following two campaigns that resulted in consecutive playoff eliminations at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.

Dallas has been good enough to compete and collect wins in the regular season, but its demise repeatedly strikes in the postseason – the team just can’t overcome the hump. Dak Prescott has his clear limitations – and that surely plays a part – but, similar to Allen, McCarthy hasn’t been touted as a coaching genius, either.

Another frustrating ending to the season for the Cowboys in 2023 could see Jerry Jones turn the page and retool.

Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders
Let’s spice it up a bit. The Raiders only just hired Josh McDaniels last offseason, but the failed season despite opulent additions in Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, among others, could see McDaniels’ seat get hotter if things don’t improve in 2023.

First things first is how McDaniels and Co. replace Derek Carr, who was released on Tuesday, at quarterback. Do they make a splash for a big-name QB with Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller as the marquee skill players? Or do they take a step back and retool instead of challenging the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for the throne in the AFC West?

There’s a reason McDaniels has looked better as an offensive coordinator rather than manning the whole ship dating back to his Broncos’ head-coaching stint. His head coaching resume hasn’t been too kind, but when he’s tasked with just focusing on offense, the results are healthier. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that might not be the case with McDaniels.

Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are also in a predicament. They definitely underperformed in 2022 despite the wealth of notable stars across the squad, but the Tom Brady-led group squeaked into the postseason with a feeble 8-9 record.

Todd Bowles may have been thrown a lifeline for not botching a weak NFC South with Brady at the helm, but now that the 45-year-old filed his retirement paperwork, it’s looking like a new QB is headed to Tampa Bay.

Exactly who that is is unclear, but Bowles said after the Bucs’ playoff elimination that they would not look to rebuild, only reload. Saying that publicly means expectations will be on them to try to solidify themselves as a contender in a wide-open division despite losing a generational signal caller. If they struggle to do so, Bowles may be flushed away for another head coach.

Honorable mention: Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has steadily gone downhill in each of Stefanski’s three seasons: 11-5 in 2020, 8-9 in 2021 then 7-10 in 2022. If the Browns can’t push for a playoff spot in 2023, owner Jimmy Haslam could look for a change with the amount of talent on the roster.

YAHOO SPORTS

 

I think this needs to be elevated to legit, not honorable mention.

Excuses...

2020 playoff team
2021 Mayfield injury... HOWEVER, the injury was in place for his benefit only, not Mayfields, as they replaced him based on his injured performance. (not out of turn, since Mayfield hasn't done anything since)
2022 Replacement QB was suspended for 10 of 17 games...Even though the stamp of approval was put on the guy knowing that a suspension was imminent.

2023... Excuses are exhausted. If they don't, not only make the playoffs, but win at least their first round playoff game... I think he is gone. Stefanski has had 3 full seasons to implement his systems. If the team isn't in position to win, even if a QB is injured, in year 4.. Maybe he hasn't set the team up for success. He can become the problem, rather than the solution.

edit: I think the team needs to win 11 games for him to retain his job. This team already accomplished that in his first season with Baker Mayfield, before his stamp was put on the atmosphere.

 

I agree. When I saw honorable mention, I thought the same thing... he's more like a top 3 ,imo. Some might say, a victim of circumstances, others might say, he just doesnt have 'it'. Im leaning right down the middle, just not too impressed with the way things have turned out under his watch. Sadly, Browns fans will probably enter the 2023 season apprehensive instead of 'all fired up' and confident.

 

My thoughts are this...

I was really happy and impressed with Andrew Berry when he was hired and his subsequent moves to right the ship.

This team's undoing is in the form of an owner sticking in his authority over those experts he hired to run the franchise. I don't have any doubt that Haslem stood up, pounded the table after 2021 and said, dammit what will it take to make sure we are in the playoffs every year without question. The answer that shot back was probably a true franchise QB... At that point, he took it upon himself to find what he thought that was... Deshaun Watson. This move did not follow anything Andrew Berry had done or talked about since he entered the building, it was actually the opposite of his norm. Stefanski was dealt the hand he was dealt. He won with scheme and Baker Mayfield, when healthy. Once he was not healthy, the backup options weren't enough to overcome. Last year was a series of decisions that sent the organization into disarray, centered around Watson and the circus he brought with him. If the PLAY of Watson is an indication of his true identity, this franchise is in trouble for the next several years.

 

The Saints have officially hired Joe Woods as their new defensive coordinator.

Word that Woods would be joining the team broke last week and the team formally announced his addition on Wednesday. Woods was fired by the Browns last month after three seasons running their defense. The Saints had co-defensive coordinators last season, but Ryan Nielsen moved on to Atlanta and Kris Richard was fired.


The Saints also officially announced the previously reported hiring of secondary coach Marcus Robertson. Robertson played safety in the NFL for 12 years and has been coaching in the league for the last 15 years.

In addition to those moves, the Saints have also hired defensive line coach Todd Grantham, tight ends coach Clancy Barone, and assistant offensive line coach Kevin Carberry.

PFT

 

Report: Bucs to hire Dave Canales as their new offensive coordinator



After casting a wide net, the Buccaneers have selected a new offensive coordinator.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports the Bucs are set to hire Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales, one of 10 candidates to interview for the job. Canales replaces Bryon Leftwich, with whom the Bucs parted ways Jan. 19.


Canales also had two interviews with the Ravens for their offensive coordinator opening before they hired Todd Monken on Tuesday. He joined the Seahawks in 2010 and also coached wide receivers during his time in Seattle.

Canales played a big role in Geno Smith‘s breakout season in 2022. Smith replaced Russell Wilson and, in his first season as a full-time starter since 2014, he led the league in completion percentage and threw 30 touchdown passes. Smith also earned his first career Pro Bowl nod and was selected as the NFL’s comeback player of the year.

The Bucs are unsettled at quarterback after Tom Brady‘s retirement.

The Bucs also interviewed Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, Rams assistant head coach/running backs coach Thomas Brown, Broncos passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, Jaguars quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter, Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher, Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, Saints passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry and Vikings receivers coach Keenan McCardell.

PFT

 

Broncos Seek Permission To Interview Vance Joseph For Defensive Coordinator Position

 

The Colts have requested Ravens wide receivers coach Tee Martin to interview for their offensive coordinator job, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The Colts also have Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter among their candidates.


Martin has served as the Ravens’ wide receivers coach for two seasons after spending 15 years coaching primarily in the collegiate ranks.

He coached the wide receivers and also served as passing game coordinator and assistant head coach in 2019-20 at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee.

The Bills had interest in him for their offensive coordinator opening last year.

New Colts coach Shane Steichen is expected to call his own plays.

PFT

 

I don't understand why you would want to interview a guy that overlooks a position from a team that has been notoriously awful at developing said position?

@ravens_R_#1 ?

 

He did coach the following in college:
Juju Smith-schuster
Michael Pittman Jr
Velus Jones Jr (followed him to Tennessee)
Amon-Ra St Brown
Nelson Agholor
Marquis Lee
Robert Woods
Marquez Callaway

To his defense, he's only been the WR coach for the Ravens for 2 seasons. They were notoriously bad before he arrived. During those two seasons, he did help Marquise Brown become a 1,000 yard receiver and got him paid in free agency(Ravens have only had (8) 1,000 yard wide receivers in their 27 year history, only two of which did it more than once (Derrick Mason and Quadry Ismail). His only failure to date is Batemon, right? That is mostly due to injuries.

That being said, it might have more to do with his buzz around the inside circles... maybe he has a brilliant football mind that is being recognized.... Then again, didn't his current employer need an OC? Was he even interviewed? There were no fewer than 8 coaches interviewed...

OK Tim... I agree 100%

 

That's a solid list to include on his resume.

I'm hesitant to give positions coaches in the NFL credit for a short track record, coupled with only one name a season. With Brown, it's tough to go with the idea that he was a big influence on his career, but I won't just strip that off his resume.

That, and every other receiver on the roster that couldn't breakout in that offense, but I'm not completely sold on the idea that it's all his fault.

The Ravens are just bad at grooming talent at receiver, and Brown's deep route ability combined with a lethal ground game likely had more to do with the yardage output than developing him as a receiver.

I'm actually more impressed with the college list, but that's without looking at it any farther than the names listed. The situations where they were and what other coaches involved would likely sway my opinion some.

 

I was just playing devil's advocate. I don't see any reason at this point of his career that he should be considered for a OC position.

 

Commanders reportedly planning to hire Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy as new OC

Eric Bieniemy is finalizing a deal to leave the Kansas City Chiefs to become the offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Bieniemy spent the past five seasons as the Chiefs offensive coordinator, where he helped Patrick Mahomes blossom into a two-time MVP and five-time Pro Bowler. He also helped guide Kansas City to three Super Bowl appearances and two victories, most recently the 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite his success, Bieniemy was never hired to be a head coach even after his two Chiefs' predecessors – Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy – both earned top jobs following their respective tenures under Andy Reid. Bieniemy has interviewed with half of the leagues' clubs since 2019, including a 2023 interview with the Indianapolis Colts. But every time, he was passed over.

This comes even after his offense out-dogged the offense led by now-Colts head coach Shane Steichen and flummoxed the defense led by now-Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon — both in Super Bowl LVII. Though much has been speculated about Bieniemy's role in Reid's offense – both as a play-caller and as a strategist — Chiefs backup quarterback Chad Henne told The Athletic it was Bieniemy who designed the two second-half red zone touchdowns which helped Kansas City come back to beat the Eagles.

“[Bieniemy] put it on tape and said: ‘Hey, like, if they do this, this guy is wide open. It’s man [coverage],’” Henne said. “They’re just trying to protect themselves from the jet sweep and trying to bubble over the top and get an extra player [on the other side of the field]. But we faked the jet twice, and they didn’t figure it out.”

Mahomes also added that Bieniemy made sure running back Jerick McKinnon went down in-bounds instead of scoring late in the game to set up Harrison Butker's winning field goal.

“I want to give the credit to Eric Bieniemy,” Mahomes said, “because even though sometimes we get tired of them talking about those moments, they always seem to happen in the biggest games. And he makes sure we go through the details about them every single week.”

Now, Bieniemy will likely take full control of the Commanders' offense under head coach Ron Rivera, who has a background in defense. Washington isn't loaded with talent on offense, but receivers Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel as well as Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson out of the backfield are all intriguing playmakers.

The quarterback position will be the most important question to answer, though. Sam Howell, the team's 2022 fifth-round pick could earn the starting job, but the Commanders could also acquire a more proven veteran this offseason in free agency or via a trade.

Bieniemy's fingerprints will likely be all over whatever Washington does in 2023, which could perhaps reshape the narrative around his viability as an NFL head coach sooner rather than later.

YAHOO SPORTS

 

Panthers hiring Rams’ Thomas Brown as offensive coordinator

The Los Angeles Rams are losing an important member of their coaching staff. According to NFL Network, the Carolina Panthers are hiring Rams assistant head coach and TEs coach Thomas Brown as their new offensive coordinator.

Brown had his second interview with the Panthers on Thursday and will now work out a deal with Carolina as the OC. The Buccaneers also met with Brown this week but opted to go in a different direction, which allowed the Panthers to land the promising young coach.

The Rams hired Brown as their running backs coach in 2020 and added the title of assistant head coach in 2021. Last year, he was moved to tight ends coach, though midway through the season, he helped coach the running backs again.



RAMS WIRE

 

Cardinals to interview Bears LB coach Dave Borgonzi for DC position

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, they will interview Chicago Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi for the job on Saturday.

Borgonzi has not yet been a defensive coordinator.

He was with the Bears this last season. The previous four seasons, he was the linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts. He worked with Gannon for three of those years.

He was defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014-2017 and from 2011-2013, he was both an offensive and defensive assistant with the Dallas Cowboys.

CARDS WIRE

 

Eric Bieniemy has agreed in principle on a multi-year deal that will make him assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, a source tells PFT.

Bieniemy had a two-day interview with the Commanders before agreeing to leave Kansas City after five seasons as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. Bieniemy will call the plays in Washington, something Andy Reid did in Kansas City.

Bieniemy’s contract with the Chiefs expired after the season.

His title promotion, the years on the contract and the annual salary is more than the Chiefs were willing to commit to, per the source.

Bieniemy has interviewed for 16 head coaching positions with 15 different teams since 2019, according to USA Today. That includes interest from the Colts in this hiring cycle before they hired Steve Steichen earlier this week.

He has become the face of the NFL’s problem of racial inequality within the head coaching ranks.

DeMeco Ryans, who was hired by the Texans, was the only Black coach to get an opportunity in this hiring cycle, which had five openings. Six head coaches, including three who are Black, have a diverse background.

Bieniemy, 53, now gets a chance to run the offense in Washington, out of the shadow of Reid and Patrick Mahomes, which maybe helps show NFL owners he is as good as his resume says he is.

PFT

 

Cardinals hire Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator



The Cardinals are hiring Nick Rallis as their defensive coordinator, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports. Rallis, 29, becomes the youngest coordinator in the league.

Eleven players on the Cardinals’ final 53-player roster were 30 or older.


Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams, who was college teammates with Rallis, quickly reacted to the news on social media, writing, “So pumped to see this!!!”

Rallis and new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon are close. They coached together for two seasons in Philadelphia, where Rallis served as linebackers coach.

He began his NFL coaching career as a defensive quality control/assistant linebackers coach with the Vikings in 2018. Rallis was with the Vikings in that role for three seasons before heading to Philadelphia.

Rallis is the brother of WWE superstar Riddick Moss, now known as MadCap Moss.

Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington was among the other candidates for the job.

The Cardinals finished 21st in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed.

PFT