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NFL head coach carousel 2023: Ranking the available jobs

By Sayre Bedinger

Dec 27, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos CEO Greg Penner speaks at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos CEO Greg Penner speaks at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colts owner Jim Irsay smiles on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, during a press conference at the Colts headquarters in Indianapolis. /

Indianapolis Colts

Pros: 

  • Good amount of 2023 cap space
  • Solid pieces on the roster (both sides of the ball)
  • Potential top-5 draft pick (in range for QBs?)
  • Aggressive ownership
  • AFC South is pretty wide-open

Cons:

  • One of the oldest rosters in the league
  • Meddling ownership
  • No answer at QB at this point in time
  • Chris Ballard in the GM chair

I struggle a bit wondering whether or not the Colts are the best job on this list or the worst job on it. We’ve seen that meddling ownership on the football side of things can be really problematic at times, and you’ve seen now Jim Irsay put on display the fullness of what he’s capable of by hiring Jeff Saturday out of nowhere to replace a very respected coach in Frank Reich mid-season.

Furthermore, I think Chris Ballard has had a really tough time getting things right from his GM seat. Will he remain beyond this season?

I think with GM powers along with it, this Colts job could be the most attractive vacancy regardless. The expectation for the Colts will be to win quickly, but will Jim Irsay be quick on the trigger with this next hire? I think he’s obviously going to look high-profile and I do think this job is an attractive one with some good pieces on the roster and assets available. Not to mention, a pretty reasonable division to deal with.

Ranking these 3 available NFL head coaching jobs

  1. Indianapolis Colts (if GM role is attached)
  2. Denver Broncos
  3. Carolina Panthers

The only reason why the Colts are at no. 1 right now is that I think they have the best combination of current division strength, a blank canvas at quarterback, strong pieces defensively, some strong pieces offensively, and an aggressive (albeit meddlesome) owner.

The Broncos get the no. 2 spot because they are the most storied franchise on this list with new ownership that will spare no expense to get the candidate they want. At the end of the day, the football situation is part of the equation but it’s not everything. Money talks and the Broncos are prepared to pay a lot.

The Panthers may have the worst roster on paper out of these three teams and yet they have played the best this season, which is an indicator they currently have the best coach of the three. Given their ownership’s deep pockets as well as the fact that they also have some nice pieces defensively, this job is not unattractive, by any means.

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