Horse Tracks: Grading the head coaching hires around the NFL
Feb 2, 2023 - 11:00 AMThere have been three new head coaching hires around the league thus far, let’s see how they look at first glance.
Houston Texans - DeMeco Ryans: A-
Another year, another Kyle Shanahan coaching tree hire. Both Robert Saleh and Mike McDaniel have gotten head coaching opportunities with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, and also Mike LaFleur who has been the offensive coordinator for the Jets and now the Los Angeles Rams. DeMeco Ryans is the next domino to fall, as he is joining his former team he played for, the Houston Texans.
Ryans was one of the most coveted coaches this offseason after leading the San Francisco 49ers to having the best defense in the league. Ryans is a first time head coach with a lackluster roster in Houston, but due to his history with the Texans franchise and being a “player coach,” I’m confident Ryans will be able to get this team ready for play competitive football over the next few seasons.
Carolina Panthers - Frank Reich: B+
I really like this hire for the Carolina Panthers. They got a head coach who has proven he can be a pretty good coach in this league and make the most of the talent he has on the team. Reich was fired mostly because of disagreements with upper management about the quarterback position anyway, not necessarily because of the team’s performance. Reich provides stability, which is just what the Panthers need with that talented, young defensive core.
Denver Broncos - Sean Payton: A
The Broncos front office seemed to have wanted Ryans more than Payton, but this was my number one option for the Broncos going forward. If there is one man that is going to give Russell Wilson an opportunity to lead this team to the postseason after a horrific first season, it is Sean Payton. Payton racked up 152 wins in 9 seasons with the Saints and if the Broncos are going to pay Russell Wilson all this money to be the quarterback in Denver until he’s 40 years old, they need to bend over backwards to get a guy who can lead and turn around this offense.
Giving up the picks for Payton sucks, because of the already depleted draft capital, but it’s a necessary sacrifice to get a proven, winning head coach. As a bonus as well, Payton is used to working with undersized quarterbacks like he did with Drew Brees in New Orleans and soon to be Russell Wilson.
Broncos News
Sources - Broncos reach deal with Saints for Sean Payton
The Saints and Broncos have agreed to compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Denver Broncos Senior Bowl Notebook: Three Stand-Outs From Day 2 - Sports Illustrated Mile High Huddle: Denver Broncos News, Analysis and More
Three potential Denver Broncos prospects flashed on Day 2 of Senior Bowl practices.
NFL: Denver Broncos had a funny reaction to Tom Brady’s retirement
The Broncos had a perfect tweet in response to Tom Brady's second retirement.
Be the first!
Related News
- Russell Wilson Reportedly Visiting Steelers Mar 8
- Russell Wilson, Jason Kelce, and Drake Maye Highlight Sports Illustrated Today Mar 5
- The Meaning Behind a Former NFL Player’s Viral Quest for a Lion Jan 16
- Stadium of Raiders and Super Bowl Under Scrutiny Jan 7
- Broncos vs Chargers betting odds for Week 17 Dec 26
- Horse Tracks: Sean Payton needs to look at himself before ‘moving on’ from Pats’ loss Dec 26
- Report: Broncos release Kareem Jackson; plan to sign him to the practice squad Dec 25
- Christmas Day Football: Ravens at 49ers Open Thread Dec 25
- Christmas Day Football: Giants at Eagles Open Thread Dec 25
- Christmas Day Football: Raiders at Chiefs Open Thread Dec 25
- Broncos share disappointing ‘lack of execution’ in high-stakes game vs Patriots Dec 25
- With postseason hopes all but destroyed, Payton turns focus to next game Dec 25