Open Rants by Unimaginative

Hello! Welcome to my first non-draft post on WalterFootball! Today, the day after the Super Bowl, I'm writing my way too early NFL head coach hotseats, looking at the coaches who could be gone, and who might replace them! Enjoy!

Need a good year:

Vic Fangio, Denver Broncos:

There is a lot riding on improvement from Drew Lock. Denver has all the pieces in place for him to succeed, with a strong defense and an incredible cast of skill position players, plus a solid offensive line to boot. I think the Broncos have to make the playoffs to save Fangio's job. If Fangio is fired, I think Todd Bowles is a strong candidate for their job. I was a huge fan of him with the Jets, and I thought he did a good job with a low-talent roster, poor management, and meddling ownership. However, after Vance Joseph and Vic Fangio, the Donkeys might want to look towards an offensive head coach. I think Byron Leftwich, Nathaniel Hackett, and Joseph Brady are strong candidates.

Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals: 

I was always baffled by this hiring. Of all the coaches hired because of their connection to Sean McVay, Taylor always made the least sense. He has been a dreadful NFL head coach, and while one can argue that he's had a talent-devoid roster, he's still been historically bad to start his career. Joe Burrow's injury may have given Taylor another chance, but he needs to capitalize. I don't think he needs to make the playoffs, but there needs to be massive improvement, particularly on the offense, which is supposedly Taylor's forte. Should Taylor not return next season, former LSU OC Joe Brady makes a ton of sense. They could also look for a retread head coach, instead of a hot-shot young guy. Doug Pederson would be a good fit, and I think some long-time coordinators like Greg Roman or Pete Carmichael would fit.

Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears:

Believe it or not, Matt Nagy has a winning record as a head coach, and has made the playoffs twice in three years with the Bears (even if he just slipped in with an 8-8 team this year). However, it just feels like something has been missing in Chicago. Certainly they haven't been the offensive force they were supposed to be with Nagy, and a failure to develop offensive players (as well as his very public method of dealing with player's mistakes) doesn't reflect well on him. I think a winning record or another 8-8 playoff trip are necessary for Nagy to stay in power. Todd Bowles once again seems like a strong candidate, as does Byron Leftwich. They could target Raheem Morris or Eric Bienemy as well.

Status Up in the Air:

Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals:

The vitriol towards Kingsbury from Cardinals fans is impressive, but not entirely unwarranted. While his players seem to like him, and they did improve in year two, Kingsbury has unimpressive clock management, and doesn't stand out as a play caller. Kyler Murray took a big leap in year two, but it's worth asking if that was because of Kingsbury, or just Murray. Kingsbury's spread offense has translated to the NFL much better than expected, but the defense has been awful, and, like I mentioned, the clock management has been poor. I think double digit wins or a playoff trip are key for Kliff. Should he be fired, Todd Bowles could make a triumphant return to Arizona (I believe he is the top candidate this upcoming cycle), or Eric Bienemy/Mike Kafka could be poached from KC to help Murray's development continue. Nathaniel Hackett could emerge as a candidate here, given his NFL bloodlines.

Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys:

I toyed with putting McCarthy in the "Need a Good Season" category, but Jerry Jones is usually fairly patient with head coaches. That being said, the Cowboys believed they had a contending roster last year, and were among the league's top disappointments. Mike Nolan was a scapegoat, and Prescott's injury an excuse, but McCarthy won't get either of those this season. I think Dallas probably needs to be make the playoffs for McCarthy to be entirely safe, but he could survive another mediocre season as long as there is marked improvement. Should McCarthy go, I think Eric Bienemy will be a leading candidate for the Dallas job. 'Wink' Martindale, Phil Snow, and Patrick Graham are possibilities if Dallas wants to go defensive.

Dark Horses:

Jon Gruden, Las Vegas Raiders:

He is only three years into his ten year contract, but they have all been rather disappointing, especially after two straight seasons derailed by last-year collapses. Mike Mayock has been unimpressive as the GM, and Gruden hasn't been given the chance to work with much talent, so Mayock could be scapegoated (especially considering Gruden's massive contract). I think the Raiders need to avoid another collapse and finish better than 7-9 for Gruden to be for-sure safe. If they collapse, I think Gruden is gone, and if they're consistently poor all year, I think Mayock is the victim. Eric Bienemy, Todd Bowles, Doug Pederson, and Ryan Nielson stand out to me as candidates for the Raiders job.

Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings:

I don't think Zimmer will be fired. However, I am including him because it seems like there's rumors that he might be given the boot every single season. Barring a complete and utter collapse, I think Zimmer will be safe. In the unlikely event that he is fired, Eric Bienemy, Doug Pederson, Nathaniel Hackett, and Kellen Moore are all coaches I could see considered.