By Nicholas Wollemann
AP Photo/Chris Szagola
Bills - Vance Joseph
Vance Joseph has turned this Broncos defense into one of the greatest defenses the league has seen, just 4 sacks short of the NFL-record 72. He’s an experienced coordinator with 2 years of head coach experience at the NFL level (2017 & 2018) and shows he has what it takes to lead a team to a 1-seed (which the Bills are more than capable of). This move would give the Bills an established leader, and fits one of the most sought-after coaches amongst this ever-changing coaching carousel, intro the role most poised to win now with a free minor changes.
Browns - Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz may be one of the lesser requested candidates for a head coaching job this cycle, but what he did with the Browns defense should not go unknown. The Browns could really benefit from some stability, and the leader of this high performing defense seems like a natural progression. It also does not help their search that they have had 2 other candidates cancel their scheduled interviews (Jesse Minter and Mike McCarthy)
Steelers - Chris Shula
The Steelers have a type, and this is it. Chris Shula has been great calling defenses for the Rams this season, is young enough to give the Steelers a long-term guy, and can help empower that expensive defense to perform the way many expected. He also comes from a great football family and will be looking to continue that legacy as a head coach this season. This pairing seems to be perfect on paper, as long as both sides can come to an agreement.
Raiders - Klint Kubiak
Kubiak is the first current offensive coordinator on this list, and it’s largely due to what he has done with the Seattle offense. The Seahawks are currently the 1-seed and one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl, thanks largely to the high-octane offense Lubiak has schemed. Bottom line, the Raiders offense was terrible and the Geno Smith - Pete Carroll experiment was a complete failure (why they went with a 72 year-old for a rebuild - I will never know). On the bright side however, the Raiders have some very exciting young weapons on offense (Bowers/Jeanty), and with the first pick in the upcoming draft, they will likely be looking QB. All these factors make this job appealing for an offensive-minded coach like Kubiak to take these pieces to the next level.
Cardinals - Mike LaFleur
Mike LaFleur is the second coordinator for the Rams on this list, and also the brother of current head coach of the Packers, Matt LaFleur. Mike LaFleur has taken this Rams offense to another level, getting an MVP-like season out of Stafford, and extremely high production in all facets of the offense. The Cardinals currently lack any identity on offense and could use a coach that can get the most out of what they have (MHJ/Michael Wilson/ maybe Kyler?). Overall, this team needs a spark and someone who can provide some structure to this offense, and Mike LaFleur would be great for this role.
Vance Joseph has turned this Broncos defense into one of the greatest defenses the league has seen, just 4 sacks short of the NFL-record 72. He’s an experienced coordinator with 2 years of head coach experience at the NFL level (2017 & 2018) and shows he has what it takes to lead a team to a 1-seed (which the Bills are more than capable of). This move would give the Bills an established leader, and fits one of the most sought-after coaches amongst this ever-changing coaching carousel, intro the role most poised to win now with a free minor changes.
Browns - Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz may be one of the lesser requested candidates for a head coaching job this cycle, but what he did with the Browns defense should not go unknown. The Browns could really benefit from some stability, and the leader of this high performing defense seems like a natural progression. It also does not help their search that they have had 2 other candidates cancel their scheduled interviews (Jesse Minter and Mike McCarthy)
Steelers - Chris Shula
The Steelers have a type, and this is it. Chris Shula has been great calling defenses for the Rams this season, is young enough to give the Steelers a long-term guy, and can help empower that expensive defense to perform the way many expected. He also comes from a great football family and will be looking to continue that legacy as a head coach this season. This pairing seems to be perfect on paper, as long as both sides can come to an agreement.
Raiders - Klint Kubiak
Kubiak is the first current offensive coordinator on this list, and it’s largely due to what he has done with the Seattle offense. The Seahawks are currently the 1-seed and one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl, thanks largely to the high-octane offense Lubiak has schemed. Bottom line, the Raiders offense was terrible and the Geno Smith - Pete Carroll experiment was a complete failure (why they went with a 72 year-old for a rebuild - I will never know). On the bright side however, the Raiders have some very exciting young weapons on offense (Bowers/Jeanty), and with the first pick in the upcoming draft, they will likely be looking QB. All these factors make this job appealing for an offensive-minded coach like Kubiak to take these pieces to the next level.
Cardinals - Mike LaFleur
Mike LaFleur is the second coordinator for the Rams on this list, and also the brother of current head coach of the Packers, Matt LaFleur. Mike LaFleur has taken this Rams offense to another level, getting an MVP-like season out of Stafford, and extremely high production in all facets of the offense. The Cardinals currently lack any identity on offense and could use a coach that can get the most out of what they have (MHJ/Michael Wilson/ maybe Kyler?). Overall, this team needs a spark and someone who can provide some structure to this offense, and Mike LaFleur would be great for this role.