Next Coordinators - who do you want?

JokersWildJIMED

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I do agree that Kraft et. al. are sensitive to the criticism of the process with Vrabel and will do whatever possible to make the next hires seem cleaner. One of the few criticisms that Vrabel got down here in Nashville was that he was becoming too insular in his thinking, only being comfortable with “his guys”. Probably look for that to continue a bit with guys like Terrell Williams of the Lions or even Bobby King of the Eagles as DC. On offense I suspect he’s perhaps getting some pressure on Josh (doubt it matters), but probably wants to talk to some of the Rams guys like Ragone or Caley.
 

Van Everyman

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Bedard was saying there are basically two OC candidates who have both QB and playcalling experience: McDaniels and Kubiak. The latter is apparently pretty far down the road with Seattle in negotiations. But, lol, Bedard says he won’t be happy unless it’s one of those two guys.
 

Justthetippett

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That we haven't heard about a single interview yet is...weird?
Klint Kubiak just had his second interview in SEA, so he's likely off the table if they don't talk to him soon. CIN has gone through a number of DC candidates.
This appears to be off to a much slower start than you'd like. Now that could mean Vrabel already knows who he wants, and it's a guy on a playoff team, so he's waiting until that guy shakes free, and given the criticism from the HC search isn't rushing to get Rooney interviews done right away. Could also be an indication that they are a little unclear where they want to go (or ownership is giving him a gentle push towards McDaniels).
I hope ownership is not involved in this. Let Vrabel cook. He is well aware of Josh. Can interview him and others. Josh is not the worst outcome but certaintly should not be a predetermined choice or a result of intervention from ownership. That would be getting off on the wrong foot in my view.

I also thought we hadn't heard much because of guys on playoff staffs, but couldn't they still do the virtual thing? Maybe we are back to a less transparent/leaky operation, which is also not horrible in my view.
 

EddieYost

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I hope ownership is not involved in this. Let Vrabel cook. He is well aware of Josh. Can interview him and others. Josh is not the worst outcome but certaintly should not be a predetermined choice or a result of intervention from ownership. That would be getting off on the wrong foot in my view.

I also thought we hadn't heard much because of guys on playoff staffs, but couldn't they still do the virtual thing? Maybe we are back to a less transparent/leaky operation, which is also not horrible in my view.
I think they are limited in who they can interview at this point. Probably only folks that are not in the playoffs. There is another window coming up, we'll probably see some interview requests then.

I really hope they don't interview Leftwich (or the other guy) for OC or QB coach, unless they intend to hire him.
 

Cellar-Door

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I think they are limited in who they can interview at this point. Probably only folks that are not in the playoffs. There is another window coming up, we'll probably see some interview requests then.

I really hope they don't interview Leftwich (or the other guy) for OC or QB coach, unless they intend to hire him.
They are limited, but there are only 8 teams they can't interview from. Lot of candidates are able to talk now... McDaniels, Kubiak, O'Shea, McCown, other Kubiak, both Vrabel's former OCs, etc.
 

EddieYost

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They are limited, but there are only 8 teams they can't interview from. Lot of candidates are able to talk now... McDaniels, Kubiak, O'Shea, McCown, other Kubiak, both Vrabel's former OCs, etc.
Good point. Maybe they are being quiet about it. That would be nice.
 

Cellar-Door

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Brown will satisfy the one Rooney rule candidate for the OC job.
Which is why they leaked it. I had forgotten, but someone (Breer?, Girardi?) noted that teams usually don't actually announce coordinator interviews, if they get leaked it's from the agent (except the Rooney rule compliance), so possible they have had a couple of interviews quietly and asked guys not to announce it.
 

DJnVa

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Schefter said McCown in staying in Minnesota

“Josh McCown is going to be in Minnesota next year unless he gets a head coaching job,” Schefter said on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’ “If you remember a couple of years back, there was a discussion in Houston and then the Texans went in a different direction. I think Josh McCown is going to be a head coach one day. I don’t know that it’s going to be this year or next year or the year after, but I think he’s going to get a chance at some point in time.”
 

dynomite

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Schefter said McCown in staying in Minnesota
I'm genuinely curious: what am I missing?

McCown's entire body of coaching experience -- as far as I can tell from Wikipedia -- is as a part-time QB coach on a HS team (while playing in the NFL), 11 games as a QB coach on a 1-10 Panthers team before getting fired, and one season as Vikings QB coach when Darnold was fantastic but then completely fell apart in their final 2 games.

We heard all the time that Mayo was one of the least qualified HCs ever hired. By comparison to McCown's 1.5 seasons of coaching experience, Mayo served as a defensive coach for 5 seasons (ILBs coach for 3 seasons and LBs coach another 2).
 

Cellar-Door

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I'm genuinely curious: what am I missing?

McCown's entire body of coaching experience -- as far as I can tell from Wikipedia -- is as a part-time QB coach on a HS team (while playing in the NFL), 11 games as a QB coach on a 1-10 Panthers team before getting fired, and one season as Vikings QB coach when Darnold was fantastic but then completely fell apart in their final 2 games.

We heard all the time that Mayo was one of the least qualified HCs ever hired. By comparison to McCown's 1.5 seasons of coaching experience, Mayo served as a defensive coach for 5 seasons (ILBs coach for 3 seasons and LBs coach another 2).
McCown is baffling. He got a HC interview with the Texans when he was on the team.. (because their owner is a clown), then another the next year. He was with Frank Reich for a season in CAR, where then got fired, now with MIN.

He's probably not even qualified to be an OC. I have to assume he's just really good at kissing ass?
 

nattysez

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McCown is baffling. He got a HC interview with the Texans when he was on the team.. (because their owner is a clown), then another the next year. He was with Frank Reich for a season in CAR, where then got fired, now with MIN.

He's probably not even qualified to be an OC. I have to assume he's just really good at kissing ass?
The only thing I can think of is that the Jets may be fascinated by Darnold becoming a superstar QB for 16 weeks and want to talk to his QB coach to figure out what happened.
 

luckiestman

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McCown is baffling. He got a HC interview with the Texans when he was on the team.. (because their owner is a clown), then another the next year. He was with Frank Reich for a season in CAR, where then got fired, now with MIN.

He's probably not even qualified to be an OC. I have to assume he's just really good at kissing ass?
Texans might have hired him if the Flores lawsuit or the preamble to it, wasn’t such a hot topic. We, Jets fans, still like him from when he was here. He might be able to jump to head coach more easily than OC. Some Jets media have him in their top 3. Glenn, Flores, McCown. I would not hate it.

What I would hate is Kubiak working with Drake Maye. That would make me sick.
 

dynomite

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McCown is baffling. He got a HC interview with the Texans when he was on the team.. (because their owner is a clown), then another the next year. He was with Frank Reich for a season in CAR, where then got fired, now with MIN.

He's probably not even qualified to be an OC. I have to assume he's just really good at kissing ass?
Yeah it’s just… weird. McCown has been an NFL positional coach for about 30 games after working as a part time assistant HS coach?

30 games into his coaching career Belichick was a special teams coach with the 1977 Lions. Andy Reid was an OL coach with San Francisco State in the mid 80s. 30 games into his coaching career I believe Vrabel was coaching DL at THE OSU.
 

Devizier

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McCown’s agent is probably doing the work here. They might be looking at Mayo and reasoning that there is a potential fast path to a head coaching gig, especially for former players with at least some name recognition from their playing days.
 

lexrageorge

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Kind of an interesting resume. On the one hand his playing and coaching experience is probably useful for someone like Maye. On the other, he got fired as OC after less than two seasons in Indy.
I have no opinion of Marcus Brady. However, the bolded is going to be the reality for a while. Any coordinator hire will either be (a) someone jumping into the role for the first time (think Josh McDaniels) or (b) someone fired from the same role in the past (Charlie Weis). It's sort of unavoidable.
 

jk333

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I have no opinion of Marcus Brady.
Same. My recollection of those Colts teams is of strong defenses paired with veteran QBs- Rivers then Wentz and Ryan. The offenses were pretty typical until the 2022 year with horrible offensive line play and/or a washed Matt Ryan. Jeff Saturday took over midseason and their season essentially ended with records of 3-4 under Reich and 1-7 for Saturday.
 

jsinger121

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Cellar-Door

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I think Josh is a good OC... I do have concerns about him being the best OC for Maye. Maye is pretty dissimilar to the QBs Josh prefers and has had success with. It's not just the potential running. Maye is a strong armed big game hunter with a lot of gunslinger tendencies. Josh has when given the choice wanted short passing accuracy types. In LV he struggled with Carr and moved him for Jimmy G. (Carr was better in NO, particularly under Kubiak).. In Denver he immediately moved on from Cutler (maybe the most similar QB to Maye he's coached) for Kyle Orton.

Josh will get you a decent offense I am confident... But I think he's perfect for a Mac Jones not a Drake Maye.

Offensive coaches tend to have a type of QB and offense they are most comfortable with (Reid with scramble threat outside of the pocket creators for example) I think you are better off with an OC whose first instincts and experience fit your franchise QB, than with a good OC trying to bend his instincts and system to a different skillset.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I think Josh is a good OC... I do have concerns about him being the best OC for Maye. Maye is pretty dissimilar to the QBs Josh prefers and has had success with. It's not just the potential running. Maye is a strong armed big game hunter with a lot of gunslinger tendencies. Josh has when given the choice wanted short passing accuracy types. In LV he struggled with Carr and moved him for Jimmy G. (Carr was better in NO, particularly under Kubiak).. In Denver he immediately moved on from Cutler (maybe the most similar QB to Maye he's coached) for Kyle Orton.

Josh will get you a decent offense I am confident... But I think he's perfect for a Mac Jones not a Drake Maye.

Offensive coaches tend to have a type of QB and offense they are most comfortable with (Reid with scramble threat outside of the pocket creators for example) I think you are better off with an OC whose first instincts and experience fit your franchise QB, than with a good OC trying to bend his instincts and system to a different skillset.
I'm curious what you think Josh would want Maye to do that he would struggle with. He throws the short stuff far more effectively than Mac ever did.
 

Cellar-Door

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I'm curious what you think Josh would want Maye to do that he would struggle with. He throws the short stuff far more effectively than Mac ever did.
I don't think quick game and short repeated long drives is one of Maye's better skills (rookie Mac was better at it) I also think lots of option route stuff which Josh ran a lot is not a good fit for Maye or these WR/TE.. Even in this year's simpler scheme we saw a good amount of guys reading it different ways. But mostly... It's less about what Maye can't do, but about what he's best at and what will maximize him long term. Hiring Josh feels like a bet on him significantly overhauling what he does to fit Maye. Adding a lot more RPO, going more zone blocking heavy, adding more play action, more moving pockets etc. Now Josh probably can do it, but if the appeal is his experience, you're throwing a lot of that out of the window.

Josh could be really good, but his ability to get the most out of Maye is a lot more uncertain than with a Mac type QB
 

jacklamabe65

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Reiss today on possible defensive coordinators:

"One such example is Lions defensive line coach/run-game coordinator Terrell Williams, who was one of Vrabel's most trusted assistants in his six-year tenure as the Titans head coach. Vrabel thought so highly of Williams that he added assistant head coach to his responsibilities in his final season. Some around the NFL believe Williams, 50, would be Vrabel's ideal pick as defensive coordinator. And if that doesn't happen, Vrabel could look to others who coached alongside Williams in Tennessee, such as the Eagles inside linebackers coach Bobby King, the Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow and Titans passing-game coordinator/cornerbacks coach Chris Harris."
 

tims4wins

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Re: McDaniels system being stale... how is it that Andy Reid has been an elite offensive coach since the early 90s and his system isn't stale? Has he adapted? Is it only because he has had 3 mobile QBs that he can make it work with? (McNabb, Smith, and Mahomes)
 
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I was about to come here and say I REALLY don't want (EDIT Chip Kelly) bc of the turtling play-calling deep into the 4th quarter. Then they connected on that bomb to close it out. Still don't want him for OC.
 

BaseballJones

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The Patriots have requested permission to interview Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow for their defensive coordinator opening, per sources.Crow coached under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee from 2018-2023.
I've lost track of the Pats' front office/coaching moves. How many of Vrabel's former guys have been linked to jobs with the Pats in the last week?
 

Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache

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I've lost track of the Pats' front office/coaching moves. How many of Vrabel's former guys have been linked to jobs with the Pats in the last week?
Dunno the actual answer to your question (which would be more helpful), but I feel like I've seen a lot of names thrown around in speculation and a lot less where there's some report that Vrabel has actually talked to them.

I'd guess more or less everyone who was in TN at the same time has been linked to a job with the Pats by someone, somewhere. But I'm guessing that's not what you're really curious about...
 

EddieYost

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It’s possible that the Terrell Williams isn’t coming because he’s getting the Lions DC gig.
 

Saints Rest

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Texans might have hired him if the Flores lawsuit or the preamble to it, wasn’t such a hot topic. We, Jets fans, still like him from when he was here. He might be able to jump to head coach more easily than OC. Some Jets media have him in their top 3. Glenn, Flores, McCown. I would not hate it.

What I would hate is Kubiak working with Drake Maye. That would make me sick.
My recollection from listening to sports radio in the car over McCown's time in NY and right after, was that he was highly regarded as a mentor. But I'm sure you can speak to that much more credibly than my 3rd hand takes.
 

cshea

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Don't know anything about this guy but happy they are at least tracking the hot/rising stars. If he hits I'm sure he'd be a candidate for an HC job in a few years but if he's good enough so be it.
I think the "he could be an HC soon" thing is a bit overblown. If they hire a coordinator who becomes an HC candidate in short order, something has gone right.
 

Cellar-Door

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I think the "he could be an HC soon" thing is a bit overblown. If they hire a coordinator who becomes an HC candidate in short order, something has gone right.
Yeah the number of consistently elite coordinators on either side who don't get HC offers is really low (and almost all on defense). You'd PREFER to have 2-3 years with the next guy, but if you only get 1, it's because he got Drake Maye to top 5-10 QB performance right out of the gate, and you take that every time
 

dynomite

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Yeah the number of consistently elite coordinators on either side who don't get HC offers is really low (and almost all on defense). You'd PREFER to have 2-3 years with the next guy, but if you only get 1, it's because he got Drake Maye to top 5-10 QB performance right out of the gate, and you take that every time
Exactly. I think the potential OCs mostly fall into two categories:

1) Rising stars who will get a HC offer in 2026 if they're successful next season (LaFleur, etc.)

2) Retreads who have already failed as HC and are likely to stay here for 2-3 seasons (Josh McD, Chip Kelly).

I could be persuaded either way, so long as whoever is here in 2025 helps Maye continue to develop and rebuilds the O-Line.