Aug 9, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore appears to be like on as quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws earlier than a preseason recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos It’s that point of the 12 months the place a handful of NFL groups are trying—or are about to be trying—for his or her subsequent chief on the sidelines.
Discovering a brand new coach who will instantly make a optimistic affect isn’t any simple activity. Simply ask the New England Patriots, who employed Jerod Mayo earlier than this season solely to fireside him on the conclusion of the marketing campaign following a 4-13 end.
New England already went out and received its man in Mike Vrabel, although, and the Chicago Bears additionally began planning for the long run by bringing in former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their subsequent coach.
Nonetheless, loads of robust teaching candidates are on the market. Listed here are three of one of the best:
Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator
Philadelphia is making ready for the NFC Championship Sport thanks largely to Moore, who has introduced out one of the best in practically the entire Eagles’ weapons on offense.
Working again Saquon Barkley introduced his profession again to life by dashing for a league-leading 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout the common season; quarterback Jalen Hurts’ dual-threat capabilities had been on full show (32 complete TDs) and Philadelphia averaged 27.2 factors per recreation.
For any group in want of a carry offensively, Moore is an ideal possibility. His title has been thrown round in head-coaching talks ever since he was the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive coordinator from 2019-22, and it’d lastly be time for the 36-year-old to tackle some extra obligations.
Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on the sector earlier than the sport in opposition to the Washington Commanders at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos Not like Moore, Monken already has some head-coaching expertise below his belt; it simply got here on the collegiate stage.
Monken was at Southern Miss for 3 seasons (2013-15), main the Golden Eagles to a 13-25 report. He’s been within the NFL ever since except for a stint at Georgia, the place he served as OC and quarterbacks coach from 2020-22.
One of many extra skilled names on the market, Monken, 58, was supposedly gaining some critical traction with the Bears earlier than they landed Johnson. Now it appears to be like like Jacksonville may very well be the place Monken is headed ought to he select to maneuver on from the Ravens. The Jaguars fired coach Doug Pederson on Jan. 6.
Mike McCarthy, former Dallas Cowboys coach
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks off the sector after the sport at Financial institution of America Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photos Dallas letting McCarthy go earlier this month was a transfer that everyone noticed coming for years.
The Cowboys had incessantly underperformed throughout McCarthy’s 5 seasons on the helm, particularly as soon as the playoffs rolled round. Dallas reached the divisional spherical simply as soon as and misplaced, additionally getting bounced within the wild-card spherical twice.
All people appears to have a powerful opinion on McCarthy—and most aren’t optimistic—however the 61-year-old does have 174 regular-season victories to his title together with 11 wins within the postseason and a Tremendous Bowl ring.
Prefer it or not, McCarthy received’t keep unemployed for lengthy. It’s solely a matter of time earlier than a group comes and scoops him up, and who is aware of? Perhaps a contemporary begin permits him to raised his repute.
