Who would have thought that at the end of the 2024 NFL coaching cycle, Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson, would remain the team’s O.C.? He opted to stay another year for a shot at a Super Bowl, instead of attempting to revitalize one of the teams with a head coaching vacancy. Consequently, the Panthers, Seahawks, Falcons, Patriots, Chargers, Raiders, Titans, and Commanders have all hired different coaches that they hope will turn their organizations around. Let’s take a look at each team’s next steps.
New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo
I love this hire from Robert Kraft and the team up in Foxborough. Mayo was a fearless competitor at linebacker for the Patriots from 2008-2016. He then joined the Patriots’ coaching staff in 2019 in Tom Brady’s last season. I find this to be an important parameter to consider when discussing the “Patriot way” and other acknowledgments of the culture in New England. Mayo has been a part of successful teams as both a coach and a player, giving him unique insight into the business and player side of the game. His youth and energy will benefit this team, which is desperately needed following the 71-year-old Bill Bellicheck’s departure.
If they can find a dynamic playmaker at quarterback (possibly Jayden Daniels) and build the offense from there, I can see New England back in the mix in no time. They have solid young players all over the field on both sides of the ball, especially 2023 first-round pick, Christan Gonzalez. If they can land a few more explosive pieces on offense to pair with a young quarterback, who’s to say where Jerod Mayo can lead them?
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
Antonio Pierce was a no-brainer hire for the Raiders this offseason. After Josh McDaniel’s was fired following the Raiders loss to the Detroit Lions, Pierce was named the interim head coach. Since 2000, there have been 46 interim head coaches, and only 11 of them have been hired for the full-time job. Thankfully for Raiders fans, Pierce was the twelfth. He boasted a 5-4 record as the interim which included a 63-21 thrash of the Los Angeles Chargers, subsequently leading to the firing of Brandon Staley. Pierce is known as the ultimate player’s coach and will have the team behind him every week.
The Raiders have a couple of big questions this offseason. Who’s the quarterback of the future? If it is Aidan O’Connell then they need to get every piece possible to help him level up his game. The combination of Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams proved to be lethal toward the end of the season, but it is important to note that pro-bowl running back, Josh Jacobs is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Signing Jacobs needs to be a priority for Pierce and the Raiders front office, a great rushing attack can elevate a young quarterback’s success and stimulate an offense. If the pieces fall into place, Las Vegas could have a bounce-back year.
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh
After an incredible season at Michigan, completing a perfect season and winning the National Championship, Jim Harbaugh opted to rejoin his brother John, in the NFL. Arguably, the Chargers were the best head coaching vacancy because of superstar quarterback, Justin Herbert. Harbaugh has only seen success in both the NFL and college games, so it isn’t crazy to think he can turn the Chargers around. Although he is a bit of a nutjob, Harbaugh is a quarterback whisperer and will put the Charger’s talented roster in a great position to finally leap. In my opinion, it is going to take a year or two to instill the Harbaugh culture and vision, but after that, they will compete with Mahomes and the Chiefs for AFC dominance year in and year out.
The Charger’s success will depend on how much Harbaugh can get out of their talented roster. Brandon Staley did an awfully good job at making the team struggle and at times look immobilized. Harbaugh has always done a terrific job getting his players to perform with passion and energy, my guess is he will do the same in L.A.
Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan
After a 2-15 season in 2019, The Bengals drafted Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. Since then, Callahan and the Bengals offense has been prolific and cohesive. Even with the injury Burrow this year, Bengals Offensive Coordinator Brian Callahan was able to put together comprehensive game plans and overcome matchups where they were projected to lose. Callahan has a shot to lead Will Levis and the Titans back to the playoffs and revitalize a stagnant and frankly, boring offense in 2024.
I think one of the biggest question marks for this team next season is who is going to be the playmaker. DeAndre Hopkins can’t do it all on his own, and the Titans will most likely be without workhorse Derrick Henry. Maybe they draft some pieces or sign some in free agency, but Will Levis will need substantial help to have success in 2024.
Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales
As a die-hard Carolina Panthers fan, I already did a whole piece and analysis on the Canales hire and why I think (could be a delusion) that he will create a successful culture and build a dominant team (probably delusion). Check it out here.
Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris
I love this hire from the Atlanta Falcons. As a Panthers fan, it deflates me to go against another proficient Falcons team. Morris appears to be a leader of men and a fiery competitor who will get everything out of his players. Morris is a veteran coach which comes with a lot of advantages compared to coaches in their first rodeo. When Morris was only 32, the Buccaneers hired him as their head coach. He lasted from 2009-2011. There, he saw mixed success going 3-13, 10-6, and finally 4-12 (losing their last 10 games). A little more than a decade later, Morris gets a chance at redemption in the NFC South.
Morris and the Falcon’s new staff need to get the most out of their superb offensive roster. Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Tyler Allgier, and Jonnu Smith are talented players who offer an offensive coordinator much creative flexibility. I think they will look around the league or the draft, for a quarterback to replace or compete with Desmond Ridder. In addition, the Falcons ranked 11th in yards allowed in 2023, granting Morris a strong defensive base to work from and improve upon. Look for the Falcons to take a giant leap this season.
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Macdonald
I will be honest here, I don’t know much about Mike Macdonald. I do know this, since he was hired in January of 2022, the Ravens have ranked 10th and 6th in defensive yards per game, impressive consistency for any franchise with any roster. Before Baltimore, he served as the D.C. for Michigan and Jim Harbaugh, posting the 8th-best defense per team totals in the NCAA. So, the guy can coach the ball. I think Seattle made this call in part because they ranked 30th in team defense in 2023 and Patrick Queen said “I know [he’s] going to go up there and handle business. Kick ass, like [he] always [does].” High praise from a Pro Bowl free-agent linebacker; perhaps we could see him in the Emerald City this year.
Seattle’s success in 2024 will depend on a couple of things. The first is getting some hard-nosed players on defense for Macdonald to work with and scheme up creative defenses for. Without that, it will be hard for Seattle to see immediate success. However, as I mentioned earlier, Queen and other free agents could find themselves suiting up for the Seahawks on Sundays. The other necessary adjustment they need is to establish a consistent and downhill running game. They were one-dimensional ranking an abysmal 28th in rushing yards per game this past season. There is a direct correlation between being able to run the ball and overall offensive success.
Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn
The last hire of the 2024 coaching cycle was not Ben Johnson as expected. Johnson opted to stay for another year as the Detroit O.C. and chase a Super Bowl. Dan Quinn was the next guy in line and was offered the job. Shortly after it was announced Quinn hired former Cardinals head coach, Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator. Now I don’t know how this is going to turn out. Who knows who their quarterback will be, it could be Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. Quinn had mixed success in Atlanta as the head coach, which included a Super Bowl trip and the infamous 28-3 comeback… Not a great sign for a defensive coach to let up a 25-point comeback to lose the Super Bowl. I am not convinced that Quinn and Kingsbury will lead Washington to the promised land, nor am I positive he is the guy the front office truly wanted.
With that said, for the Commanders to have success this season, they need to have more consistent play from the quarterback position which saw Sam Howell throw a league-high 21 interceptions. On top of turnovers, they ranked dead last in yards allowed last season, meaning Quinn is in for a tall task to put together a defensive roster and scheme that can see a smidge more success. Lastly, they need to select the right guy as the second overall pick. They cannot mess it up, and if they do the Commanders will go another season (and maybe more) without a franchise QB.