Black Monday has come and gone, and the NFL’s head coaching carousel is picking up speed, landing in the right spot can help or doom a franchise.
Several names have emerged as top candidates for the top jobs in 2023. The Denver Broncos, Houston Texans., Indianapolis Colts, and Carolina Panthers are among the teams looking for new leaders next season. Who knows what’s going to happen with the Chargers, Cowboys, and Rams? With that said, there are a few coaches among the most highly regarded in the league.
Predicting the 2023 NFL head coach carousel
It all starts with Sean Payton, the hottest name on the market. The former head coach of the New Orleans Saints will command full control of a franchise and he deserves it. Dan Quinn, the current defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys has quickly reestablished himself as one of the best coaches in the league. We saw him take charge as an interim with the Cowboys. With his success as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons, he should get a job in 2023.
Diversity is needed. Ideally, NFL teams would hire some Black head coaches. it’s not like there aren’t any great candidates — like Eric Bieniemy. He has an impressive record as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs — we know the history.
DeMeco Ryans is another. He’s a young defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, who quickly made a name for himself as a rising star in the coaching ranks, and is credited with creating one of the most wide-ranging and effective coverage diversities in the league. However, it’s the leadership that he’s shown as a player and coach that makes him a top candidate.
Guys like Ben Johnson (Lions), Raheem Morris (Rams), and there’s always the Jim Harbaugh rumor that rounds out the top head coaching candidates. All these coaches have strong track records and have shown the ability to modernize and improve their teams’ performance, however, they aren’t the only candidates and they may not be the best fit for every team.
5. Arizona Cardinals and Brian Flores
The Arizona Cardinals are in search of a new head coach following the firing of Kliff Kingsbury and the resignation of general manager Steve Keim. With quarterback Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL, the Cardinals need a coach who can not only develop and work with a young quarterback, but also lead the team through a rebuilding phase. Brian Flores, the current linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is an excellent candidate for the job.
Controversy led to Flores being forced to take a job as a linebacker coach, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s not a great head coaching candidate. Flores has a proven track record of success as a head coach. He served as the head coach for the Miami Dolphins for three seasons, leading the team to two winning seasons in that span. Despite being given a roster that was seen as fit for tanking, Flores did not let that happen and instead led the team to success. Flores has also shown that he is a strong developer of young talent. With Murray recovering from injury, Flores would be the perfect coach to work with him and help him take the next step in his development.
Flores is also a great motivator and leader of men. He is a strong personality and will hold Murray accountable. The Arizona Cardinals have a lot of work to do to get back to the playoffs, but with Brian Flores at the helm, they would have the right coach to lead them through the rebuilding process. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is one of the promising stars who would benefit from having Flores as a head coach. Given his defensive background, he’ll quickly turn the Cardinals’ defense around.
Flores has the experience, the track record, and the skills to lead the Cardinals to success. He is an excellent candidate for the job and the Cardinals should give him serious consideration as they search for their next head coach.
4. Carolina Panthers and Jim Caldwell
Steve Wilks did a fantastic job considering what he was given. By all accounts, he deserves a chance to become the Carolina Panthers head coach—they haven’t officially hired him. If they opt to go in another direction, one name that should be at the top of their list is Jim Caldwell.
As it stands, the Carolina Panthers are in need of a new head coach after firing Matt Rhule. With quarterback Sam Darnold no longer in the picture, the Panthers have a fresh start and the opportunity to build a new offensive system. Jim Caldwell, former head coach of the Detroit Lions, is the perfect candidate to lead the Panthers through this rebuilding phase.
Sure, the Panthers may be looking for the next young offensive mind, but Caldwell has a wealth of experience as a head coach, having led the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions to the playoffs multiple times. In Detroit, Caldwell helped develop quarterback Matt Stafford into a Pro Bowl player and led the team to two playoff appearances. Caldwell’s ability to turn around a franchise is exactly what the Panthers need.
One of Caldwell’s biggest strengths is his ability to develop young talent. Under Caldwell’s leadership, Stafford became one of the best quarterbacks in the league. With the Panthers in need of a new quarterback, Caldwell’s experience in developing young talent will be invaluable.
Caldwell’s experience and success as a head coach make him the ideal candidate for the Panthers. His ability to turn around a franchise and develop young talent will be crucial for the Panthers as they look to build a new offensive system. Caldwell’s leadership and experience will be key to the Panthers’ success in the future.
Caldwell’s track record of success and ability to develop young talent make him the perfect candidate for the Panthers. With a new quarterback and the opportunity to build a new offensive system, Caldwell’s experience and leadership will be crucial to the Panthers’ success in the future. The Panthers should give Caldwell serious consideration as they search for their next head coach.
3. Houston Texans and Ben Johnson
If you can look past the recent treatment of minority head coaches, the Houston Texans is an attractive job. There’s no doubt that the Texans are looking to move past a period of disappointment and rebuild their franchise. Sure, the Texans may want to make a splash hire, but getting a young guy who could grow with the franchise is the best option.
One name that stands out as a potential solution for the team is Ben Johnson. The 36-year-old coach has had a meteoric rise through the ranks of coaching, and his success as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions has made him one of the top head coaching candidates in the league.
Johnson’s background as a quarterback and his experience coaching the position at the NFL level make him the perfect candidate to groom the Texans’ next franchise quarterback. They currently sit at the No. 2 spot in the 2023 NFL draft, where they can take CJ Stroud or Bryce Young.
As a young coach, Johnson would fit in well with the team’s young core of players such as cornerbacks Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr. and running back Dameon Pierce. This can help to build a culture of winning and sustained success, which is something that the Texans have been lacking.
The Texans are well-positioned to quickly infuse their roster with much-needed talent, owning multiple first-round picks and 13 selections in total. With a clean balance sheet and significant salary cap space, Johnson would have the resources to build a competitive team. This level of success, coupled with his young age, makes him the ideal candidate to inject new life into a failing franchise.
GM Nick Caserio must maximize the potential to build something from scratch and offer Johnson or whoever the next coach is a long contract. The Texans have a rare opportunity to turn their fortunes around and become a competitive team again. With Ben Johnson as head coach, they have a chance to do just that. His experience, offensive prowess, and leadership qualities make him the perfect candidate to lead the Texans’ rebuilding efforts and turn the franchise around.
2. Indianapolis Colts and Eric Bieniemy
Chaos and upheaval are two words to describe the Indianapolis Colts franchise. Marked by multiple coaches being fired and multiple quarterbacks being benched, the team looks to move forward in the search for their next quarterback and head coach. Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is the ideal guy, and he’s already been interviewed for the job. The fact that Bieniemy has yet to be hired as a head coach has been a source of confusion for many in the NFL, but his experience and track record make him a strong fit for the Colts.
Bieniemy has been the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator for the past five seasons, working under highly-respected head coach Andy Reid and playing a key role in the development of superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It doesn’t hurt that Reid’s coaching tree has produced successful head coaches such as Buffalo’s Sean McDermott, Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh, and Washington’s Ron Rivera.
Another advantage to hiring Bieniemy has ties to the Colts organization, one being with GM Chris Ballard. Ballard’s familiarity with Bieniemy stems from their tenure with the Kansas City’s. During that time, Bieniemy coached the running backs while Ballard served in the front office. Ballard has often spoken about the lessons he learned from working with Reid in Kansas City and hiring Bieniemy would be a nod to that experience.
Bieniemy is praised for his leadership style and ability to connect with his players. He’s an effective communicator who builds strong relationships with players — a valuable trait for the Colts, who struggled to find continuity and stability in recent years.
The Colts are in a division without a dominant team, which means that a quick turnaround is possible with the right leadership. If the Colts make the right hire and land the right quarterback, they can turn the page on a chaotic season and look forward to a brighter future. The Colts, have struggled to recover from Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement in 2019. Bieniemy’s offensive expertise would help a young quarterback. A better option for Bieniemy would be Derek Carr, a great leader with elite traits that could help take an NFL team to the next level.
1. Denver Broncos and Sean Payton
Are you ready for a Super Bowl run, Broncos fans? Because with Sean Payton at the helm, that dream could become a reality! The Broncos and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton seem like the perfect match. Payton wants full control, and the Broncos’ new owners need a guy in the seat who knows how to galvanize a franchise. Put the two together and watch the magic happen. It will cost the franchise a few picks, but it will be worth it.
For starters, Payton could save Russell Wilson’s career. The Broncos offense is starving for life. The former Saints head coach’s philosophy and experience working with a quarterback like Drew Brees align perfectly with the Broncos’ current quarterback situation. There was a vast disconnect between Wilson and Hackett. With the Seahawks, Pete Carol was in full control; he was the system as evidenced by the success of the Seahawks with Geno Smith at the helm.
Naturally, Payton’s track record of success, having led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2009 and consistently having his teams in contention for playoff spots. Something Hackett didn’t have. Wilson would have no other (realistic) choice, but to humble himself and defer to a coach who’s had success.
Sean Payton spent over a decade helping Drew Brees become one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. Wilson, on the other hand, has been compared to Brees for his accuracy, in-pocket athleticism, and ability to make quick decisions. Payton’s experience working with Brees would give him the knowledge and understanding to help Wilson reach his full potential in Denver.
Payton’s philosophy is a high-powered, pass-heavy offense that emphasizes quick strikes and getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers. This style of offense would fit perfectly for Wilson and the weapons the Broncos have on their roster. With playmakers like Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Javonte Williams, Payton would have the pieces in place to create a run-based yet dynamic offense.
It’s also worth mentioning the Broncos’ defense as it’s a dominant unit, something Payton had during the latter years of his tenure with the Saints. The Broncos better back up the money truck if they want to get Payton. Another option is Dan Quinn who has history with Russell Wilson during their Super Bowl run with the Seahawks.