The 2022 NFL season hasn’t gone precisely how all of us anticipated for the Indianapolis Colts. After coming into the 12 months with playoff aspirations, the staff at the moment sits at 4-8-1 on the Week 14 bye week.
Former head coach Frank Reich was fired again in Week 9 and his alternative, former All-Professional heart Jeff Saturday, has hardly seemed like the long run on the job.
With all of this turmoil surrounding the staff, the Colts can be clever to reset a majority of their teaching employees this offseason. Fortunately, there appears to be fairly just a few widespread candidates to regulate this cycle. So, earlier than the offseason formally kicks off, here’s a large checklist of 12 candidates that the staff might look into for his or her subsequent head coach.
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NOTE: Two exclusions to this checklist are Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Steichen is working below Nick Sirianni, a coach that made his emotions in regards to the Reich firing very clear just a few weeks again (Steichen additionally labored with Reich with the Chargers). Payton, by most experiences, is ready for one of many LA jobs to open this offseason.
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Offensive Coordinator Candidates
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions
In a 12 months the place total offense is at an all-time low, the Detroit Lions have managed to be one of many highest-scoring groups within the league (with Jared Goff at quarterback!). The Lions are seventh in complete yards per sport, eighth in passing yards per sport, tenth in dashing yards per sport, and sixth in factors per sport.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has performed an exceptional job of getting essentially the most out of his gamers on that aspect of the ball. He could also be a bit on the youthful aspect — solely 36 years previous — however he has proven some nice issues in 2022.
For more information on Johnson, try this text by Satisfaction of Detroit.
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Kellen Moore, Dallas Cowboys
Another choice on the youthful aspect, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has been a scorching identify in teaching circles for just a few seasons. Whereas the Cowboys have been a barely above-average offense this season, you will need to take into account that their beginning quarterback (Dak Prescott) did miss six video games with an harm.
Since getting Prescott again within the beginning lineup, the Cowboys offense is averaging 37.2 factors per sport and 411 complete yards per sport. Even when the Cowboys had been rolling with journeyman QB Cooper Rush because the starter, the offense was satisfactory sufficient to have the ability to maintain the staff within the win column.
For extra on Moore and his head teaching future, try this text by SI.com.
Mike Kafka, New York Giants
One of many extra spectacular teaching jobs this season has been the turnaround occurring in New York. Regardless of being projected to be one of many worst groups within the league in 2022, the Giants discover themselves within the thick of the NFC playoff hunt with 5 weeks remaining. A big a part of that has been the work of Mike Kafka because the offensive coordinator.
Coming over from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Kafka has introduced some life to a putrid Giants’ offense. The Giants had been the second-worst total offense in primarily each class in 2021, and so they have improved to round league common this season. Kafka has additionally helped flip across the profession of former excessive draft choose Daniel Jones, a participant that is not trying like a bust to date this season.
For extra studying on Kafka, try this piece by Tampa Bay Occasions.
Shane Waldron, Seattle Seahawks
One of many different main shock groups within the NFL this season has been the Seattle Seahawks. The staff seemed to be in rebuilding mode after buying and selling away future Corridor-of-Fame QB Russell Wilson, however that was removed from the case. The staff seamlessly transitioned to Geno Smith, and so they discover themselves on the cusp of the playoffs in 2022.
Whereas a variety of Smith’s success ought to be attributed to the participant, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has had a significant hand in his growth. Waldron has been a preferred identify in NFL circles for years, making his mark with the Los Angeles Rams below Sean McVay earlier than heading out to Seattle in 2021.
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For extra on Waldron as a coach, try this piece by Area Gulls.
Ken Dorsey, Buffalo Payments
The Buffalo Payments had fairly the duty in entrance of them this previous offseason, as they wanted to interchange former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll with a coach that might assist quarterback Josh Allen preserve his ascension. The staff turned to QB Coach Ken Dorsey, and the Payments’ offense has largely remained the identical well-oiled machine in 2022.
There have been some struggles on this transition for the staff, as Allen has handled some harm points this season, however it’s straightforward to see the expertise in Dorsey as a play-caller. He could choose to stay with the Payments for one more season, however he’s a brilliant attention-grabbing candidate to have a look at this offseason.
For extra studying on Dorsey as a coach, try this piece by 916 The Breeze.
Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins
One of many extra revered, and versatile, coaches throughout the league is Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith. After spending time just lately with the Las Vegas Raiders (2018-20) and the Los Angeles Chargers (2021), Smith took on the OC function with the Dolphins below Mike McDaniel. Whereas McDaniel deserves a majority of the credit score for that offensive success, Smith has been a significant a part of the method.
Smith is a uncommon candidate that has hung out throughout the offensive aspect of the ball in his profession. He referred to as performs in faculty for Butler again in 2007 and he has hung out within the NFL with titles as offensive line coach, tight ends coach, and run sport coordinator. If a staff desires to pluck a coach from the newly beginning Mike McDaniel Tree, Smith can be an incredible begin.
For extra on Frank Smith as a coach, try this piece by Dolphin Nation.
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Defensive Coordinator Candidates
DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers
The highest defensive teaching candidate this cycle is, with out query, San Francisco 49ers coach DeMeco Ryans. A former center linebacker for the Houston Texans, Ryans has transitioned seamlessly into teaching. After spending years studying below Robert Saleh, he lastly took over the protection in 2021 when Saleh left to teach the New York Jets.
Upon taking up with the 49ers, Ryans has coached an already gifted protection to new ranges. The staff at the moment permits the fewest passing yards on a per-game foundation within the league and is permitting simply 15.8 factors per sport. Ryans is a gamers’ coach that additionally is aware of how to attract up a high total protection. He isn’t solely the highest defensive teaching candidate throughout this cycle, he could also be one of the best one total.
For extra on Ryans as a coach this season, try this piece by the Landing Wire.
Ejiro Evero, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have been an abject catastrophe this season, however defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has been phenomenal for the staff. After shedding an elite defensive coach in Vic Fangio this previous offseason, one would count on the Broncos’ protection to take a step again below a brand new play-caller. As an alternative, they really improved throughout the board, rating second in fewest passing yards allowed and holding groups to only 17.0 factors per sport.
In a manner, Evero had one of many extra spectacular teaching backgrounds within the league earlier than changing into the Broncos’ DC. He discovered below Fangio with the 49ers, below Dom Capers with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, and below Brandon Staley with the Rams. His scheme for the Broncos reveals all these completely different blends in a single excellent unit.
For extra studying on Evero, try this piece by Andscape.
Leslie Frazier, Buffalo Payments
Retread head teaching candidates are rarely enjoyable, however Payments defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has actually earned one other shot. The Payments’ protection has constantly ranked among the many league’s greatest throughout his tenure, and he has proven the power to get artistic along with his scheme. The final two years alone his unit has been within the high three in complete protection.
Frazier isn’t any stranger to the pinnacle teaching world, as he was the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach from 2010 to 2013. He had a less-than-stellar tenure with the staff, ending with a 21-33-1 document and one playoff look in his 3.5 years because the coach. Whereas this can be a trigger for some concern, he does seem to have grown and adjusted within the decade since his final HC stint.
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For extra on Frazier as a coach, try this piece by Bleacher Report.
There was hypothesis for years that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh may very well be making a triumphant return to the NFL. Harbaugh was one of many league’s greatest coaches years in the past, main the 49ers to a 49-22-1 document in 4 years with the staff. He additionally led the 49ers to the Tremendous Bowl again in 2012 (the place they misplaced to the Baltimore Ravens).
Harbaugh has been fairly adamant about returning to Michigan in 2023, however you by no means know in the case of the NFL. He would possible want a scenario the place he had management over the roster and entrance workplace aspect of issues, alongside his regular head teaching duties. Possibly a return to his former NFL staff might give him that chance?
For extra on Harbaugh’s teaching resume and newest rumors, try this piece by The Athletic.
Jim Caldwell, Former HC Detroit Lions
Talking of former Colts returning to the staff, what about Jim Caldwell? Caldwell will not be a flashy rent, however he may very well be a coach that might repair the turmoil that we now have seen in Indy this season. In his six years as a head coach, with the Colts and the Lions, Caldwell led his groups to a 62-50 document with one Tremendous Bowl look (when the Colts misplaced to the Saints).
Caldwell’s tenure in Indy ended on a bitter observe, as Peyton Manning was dominated out for the 2011 season with a neck harm, and he obtained caught with a staff that had no probability at profitable video games. Upon going to the Lions, Caldwell was capable of lead that franchise to an total profitable document and two playoff appearances. For comparability’s sake, the Lions have had only one playoff look since 2000 in years that Caldwell wasn’t their head coach.
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For extra on Caldwell as a training candidate, try this piece by Jacksonville.com.
Darkhorse Candidate
Duce Staley, Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Operating Backs Coach
Colts followers have been clamoring for the subsequent coach to be a motivator that is stuffed with power. One of the best candidate for that type of teaching league-wide could also be Duce Staley with the Lions. Staley spent almost a decade as a fixture of the Eagles’ teaching employees earlier than leaping over to teach operating backs below Dan Campbell in Detroit.
With Detroit, Staley has helped craft one of many league’s most spectacular dashing assaults. The Lions have averaged 127 dashing yards per sport this season, and so they have been doing that with out added manufacturing from a dashing quarterback (and their beginning operating again has been damage for a lot of the season). Staley will not be able to take the leap as a head coach, however he’s a reputation to look at for this upcoming cycle.
For extra on Duce Staley with the Lions, try this piece by CBS.
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