While the 2021 NFL postseason heads into the divisional round for online betting enthusiasts everywhere, seven franchises have already fired their respective head NFL coaches. It’s time to take a fun-filled look at each of those teams and some of the rumors we’re hearing for potential hires.
Okay, BetUS sportsbook betting faithful, let’s get started with the team that owns the top pick in the 2021 NFL Odds draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The beleaguered Jacksonville Jaguars finally parted ways with Doug Marrone after going 36-34 in five years under his direction, but 1-15 this season. Jacksonville is reportedly all in on former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. But, the franchise is making plans in case they fail to land the three-time national championship winner. The Jaguars are reportedly set to conduct interviews with Meyer’s successor and current Buckeyes coach, Ryan Day if things don’t work out with Meyer.
Jacksonville is also reportedly looking at Titans’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. They have interviews scheduled with Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Whoever lands this job will be one happy camper after inheriting potential franchise-changing quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Prediction: I can easily see Urban Meyer taking this job. He’d start Jacksonville’s rebuild with Trevor Lawrence as his franchise cornerstone. Meyer is a head coach first and foremost. This job would put him back in the state of Florida and Jacksonville has ownership I believe would be willing to give him a fair amount of power within the organization.
NFL Coaches Pick: Urban Meyer
New York Jets
The New York Jets went a pitiful 9-23 in two seasons under overmatched head coach Adam Gase, culminating in this season’s “sight-blinding” 2-14 mark. Joe Douglas is back for his second year as GM, so there will be no change there. The longtime AFC East residents have submitted a request to speak with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
The Jets have also requested interviews with New York Giants defensive coordinator Brandon Graham, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn. The team has also reportedly requested approval to interview Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Prediction: If I’m New York, I’m going for Eric Bieniemy first and foremost. However I believe the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator is going to choose another organization. That is, unless he doesn’t get a huge deal from the Jets that blows away every other offer. Next, I’d go for Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady since I believe he could help Sam Darnold or whoever is New York’s next quarterback more than any other candidate. In the end, I’m thinking Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is going to be the guy. We’ve all seen the improvements that quarterback Josh Allen has made this season.
Pick: Brian Daboll
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are looking for a head coach after firing Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start. The Texans recorded five winning seasons in O’Brien’s first six years. However, once he was named GM prior to this season things changed – and quickly. O’Brien traded Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins because of a reported rift with the superstar wideout. That move pretty much sealed O’Brien’s fate with the franchise as his players quickly soured on him. After finishing their 2020 season under interim head coach Romeo Crennel, the Texans have already interviewed numerous candidates. Those include the following.
- Jim Caldwell (HC), former Lions head coach
- Marvin Lewis (HC), former Bengals head coach
- Joe Brady (HC), Panthers offensive coordinator
Houston has also asked to speak with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and Bieniemy. Ohio State NCAAF head coach Ryan Day, Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Tennessee offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are other potential candidates.
The Texans did fill their GM position this week with former Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio. But, even that move brought controversy. Franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson openly voiced his displeasure about being left out of the loop.
Prediction: If you didn’t know, Caserio played quarterback at John Carroll University. One of his wide receivers was Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. That friendship and the fact that Deshaun Watson is Houston’s starting quarterback makes McDaniels my pick to take this job!
NFL Coaches Pick: Josh McDaniels
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons went 43-43 in five-plus seasons under former head coach Dan Quinn before firing him after an 0-5 start this season. After playing 11 games under interim head coach Raheem Morris, Atlanta is looking for a more permanent fixture. Here’s a list of coaches the Falcons have already interviewed so far.
- Raheem Morris (HC), interim Falcons head coach
- Eric Bieniemy (HC), Chiefs offensive coordinator
- Robert Saleh (HC), 49ers defensive coordinator
- Joe Brady (HC), Panthers offensive coordinator
Reports say the Falcons are also looking at Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Prediction: Atlanta’s head coach hiring is a tough prediction. The Falcons could stick with Morris after they went 4-7 over their final 11 games. However, I’m going with Joe Brady as the guy that gets this job. The Falcons should know Brady well as his last two NFL employers were NFC South division rivals. Brady is an offensive-minded coach after the Falcons just played for two defensive guys in Quinn and Morris. The hiring of Brady would also help the Falcons groom their successor to Matt Ryan. Although the veteran isn’t quite ready to be put out to pasture.
Pick: Joe Brady
Detroit Lions
Had the Detroit Lions listened to me, they would have never hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Unfortunately for the beleaguered NFC North franchise, they didn’t heed my call. Now the Lions are in search of their next head coach after firing Patricia. This was following a 4-7 mark through 11 games. Detroit went 1-4 under offensive coordinator-turned interim head coach Darrell Bevell and the longtime former OC in Seattle and Minnesota is on the list of candidates to land the now vacant head coach opening. Detroit is also expected to interview New Orleans Saints assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell and Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The Lions have already interviewed the following candidates.
- Marvin Lewis (HC), former Bengals head coach
- Eric Bieniemy (HC), Chiefs offensive coordinator
- Darrell Bevell (HC), Lions interim head coach
- Robert Saleh (HC), 49ers defensive coordinator
Prediction: As I suggested back in 2018, I think the Lions need to hire an offensive-minded head coach. That would put Bieniemy at the top of their wish list, followed by Bevell. However, I don’t see Bieniemy even thinking about taking this position. I don’t believe the Lions are all that confident in Bevell after their uninspiring finish under him.
With that said, I’m going for longtime former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis as the gut to right the ship in Detroit. Despite his 0-7 playoff mark with Cincinnati, Lewis did manage to record a stellar, six double-digit winning seasons in 16 seasons while finishing with seven winning records and 10 seasons of at least eight victories. Lewis has a great history taking a losing franchise and turning them around. That makes the 62-year-old my pick for this job.
Pick: Marvin Lewis
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers went 33-31 in four full seasons under former head coach Anthony Lynn, but underachieved at a high level by going 12-21 the last two years. Now, the Bolts are in search of their next head coach and the list of candidates is long. The Chargers have requested permission to speak with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Bill offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is also reportedly on the list of coaches the Chargers want to speak with.
Prediction: If I’m LA ownership, I want to hire Bieniemy first and foremost. The Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator knows the team’s personnel well after facing them twice a year for the last three seasons. I suspect Bieniemy is quite interested in this job simply because the Bolts have a potential superstar in quarterback Justin Hebert. Maybe it’s me, but I can easily see Bieniemy landing in sunny LA.
Pick: Eric Bieniemy
Doug Pederson
I had Pederson on my hot seat Monday morning. By lunchtime, the Philadelphia Eagles were announcing they were firing the 52-year-old. In five years with the Birds, Pederson went 42-37-1 with three winning seasons and three playoff berths including a run to the Super Bowl 52 title. Unfortunately, things fell apart this season as the Birds sank to 4-11-1 while Pederson’s relationship with franchise quarterback Carson Wentz collapsed
Now, the Birds will be looking for a new head coach and reports say that owner Jeffrey Lurie wants an offensive-minded coach that knows how to develop quarterbacks. Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady could be names that Lurie pursues.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will likely get a call and rumors say that Lurie is intrigued with Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. Eagles assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley will likely get an interview as well, but he’s a real long shot at this point of his career. Stay tuned. A ton of change is in the air in Philadelphia NFL betting enthusiasts.
Coaches Expected to Return
Zac Taylor – Cincinnati Bengals
While reports say the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to make several changes to their coaching staff, one of those changes won’t be the dismissal of head coach Zac Taylor – and I agree wholeheartedly! The Bengals put up a good effort in every single game this season. Taylor’s work with Joe Burrow went great until the former LSU star was lost for the season to a torn ACL. I think Taylor deserves to be back without a doubt!
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