Grading 2023 NFL head coaching hires: Broncos hope Sean Payton can right ship; DeMeco Ryans ideal Houston fit

The pinnacle teaching hiring cycle formally got here to an in depth on Tuesday with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals plucking coordinators Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon out of Philadelphia. Now, all 5 vacancies have been crammed and there is a big selection of teaching expertise being stretched throughout the NFL. A few of these groups opted for veteran minds, whereas three golf equipment try their luck with first-time head coaches. 

So, which groups made the fitting rent? That query possible wants years to marinate earlier than we get a real reply. That mentioned, let’s check out every head teaching rent and hand out our grades.

Earlier function: Saints head coach (2013-2021)
Changing: Nathaniel Hackett (2022)

Denver wanted to swing for the fences to assist unravel their tumultuous season in 2022 and did simply that by buying Sean Payton in a uncommon teaching commerce with the Saints. The one motive why this will get an “A” as a substitute of an “A+” is as a result of price ticket hooked up to getting Payton because the Broncos wanted to ship New Orleans their 2023 first-rounder (No. 30 general) and a 2024 second. Denver additionally acquired a 2024 third together with Payton. That mentioned, if Payton can change the tradition at Mile Excessive and assist Russell Wilson rekindle the elite play we as soon as noticed out of him in Seattle, this might be a worthwhile funding by the Broncos. Bringing Payton on as the pinnacle coach provides the Broncos the perfect likelihood of fixing Wilson, who they’re hooked up to by means of not less than the 2025 season. Due to Wilson’s contract, you could not wipe the slate clear, so a veteran coach with an offensive thoughts was wanted. Payton suits that precise invoice.

Grade: A

Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon

Earlier function: Eagles defensive coordinator (2021-2022)
Changing: Kliff Kingsbury (2019-2022)

In a vacuum, Gannon is a superb defensive thoughts that led top-of-the-line items within the NFL final season. The Eagles protection ranked No. 6 within the NFL in DVOA and Gannon deploying his array of cross rushers was an enormous motive why. With the Cardinals rating twenty fourth within the NFL in DVOA on that aspect of the ball and permitting 26.4 factors per sport (second-most within the NFL), Gannon’s arrival is a welcome sight. That main query that’s nonetheless to be decided, nevertheless, is the offense. Gannon will now want to search out the fitting offensive coordinator who helps cater issues round Kyler Murray. Browns quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing is a number one candidate, per Cleveland.com. Irrespective of who will get employed for that spot, they together with Gannon have to have a cohesive relationship with Murray, who the workforce signed to an enormous contract extension final offseason. A part of Arizona’s undoing a yr in the past was the souring relationship between Murray and former head coach Kliff Kingsbury, so the chemistry between Gannon and his new QB may very well be the linchpin that determines if this rent is a profitable one or not. 

Grade: C+

Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen

Earlier function: Eagles offensive coordinator (2021-2022)
Changing: Frank Reich (2018-2022), Jeff Saturday (interim)

In the beginning, he is not Jeff Saturday, so the Colts might be getting somebody with intensive expertise as a coach within the NFL. The arrival of Steichen is fascinating as a result of it could inform us what Indianapolis is pondering by way of the way it desires to strategy figuring out its vacant quarterback place. Steichen, who’s now the youngest head coach within the franchise’s historical past, has expertise not solely creating younger quarterbacks however creating them to an elite degree. He was readily available because the OC in Los Angeles when Justin Herbert burst onto the scene and helped him throw for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns throughout his rookie season in 2020. Extra not too long ago in Philly, Steichen additionally helped Jalen Hurts develop right into a runner-up for NFL MVP. So, if the Colts do determine to draft a quarterback with their No. 4 general choose, they now have a coach outfitted with the abilities to assist him make that transition to the NFL a bit simpler. 

Grade: B

Earlier function: Colts head coach (2018-2022)
Changing: Matt Rhule (2020-2022), Steve Wilks (interim)

In my thoughts, Steve Wilks did sufficient to have the interim tag taken off and employed as Carolina’s subsequent head coach however, unbiased of that, the rent of Frank Reich is an effective one. Reich received a uncooked deal in Indianapolis. He was second fiddle after Josh McDaniels left the group on the alter and wanted to scramble to assemble a workers, after which Andrew Luck retired. That despatched Reich down a street of veteran quarterbacks rotating out and in throughout his tenure. Even with all that turmoil on the sport’s most vital place, he largely saved Indy afloat with a 40-33-1 report. He’s able to main a profitable program, however discovering the fitting quarterback is crucial. Perhaps they may very well be a touchdown spot for Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo, or perhaps Reich is content material with going younger after what he simply endured in Indy? Regardless, Reich has proven us that he can keep above .500 with subpar QB play, however he’ll have to pair himself with somebody with a better ceiling than an growing older Matt Ryan or damaged down Carson Wentz for the Panthers to really flip issues round.  

Grade: B

Earlier function: 49ers defensive coordinator (2021-2022)
Changing: Lovie Smith (2022)

After back-to-back years the place the Houston Texans employed somebody who most across the NFL assumed had a brief shelf life, they’ve lastly introduced somebody in the place it seems like they really put down roots. Exterior of Payton, DeMeco Ryans was the highest candidate this hiring cycle, and for good motive. He simply helped lead top-of-the-line defenses within the NFL in San Francisco and has extensively been tapped as the following nice coach to come back out of the Shanahan tree. Ryans, who was drafted by the Texans in 2006 and spent the primary six years of his enjoying profession in Houston, has a clean slate to work with, which will be checked out as an incredible alternative to construct the correct basis of a winner. The Texans have the No. 2 and No. 12 choose within the NFL Draft this yr and will use a kind of choices on a younger quarterback to mould the franchise round. The group additionally has the sixth-most quantity of cap house this offseason, so there’s additionally the capital for Ryans and GM Nick Caserio to proceed constructing the roster. Armed with these property and expertise as each a coach and participant within the NFL, Ryans is as arrange as you’d hope to be to start a head teaching tenure. 

Grade: A