NFL teams look to the future by making some coaching changes
As the NFL now has just two teams left standing, many organizations are looking to put the past season behind them. Over the past few weeks, many teams have decided that a new head coach is the first step in the right direction.
Cleveland Browns
In what seems like an annual tradition, the Browns have fired yet another coach. Freddie Kitchens served as head coach just for the 2019 season after a meteoric rise through the coaching staff. Replacing Kitchens will be former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski. It is going to be interesting to see what Stefanski is going to change and incorporate into the playbook. With Baker Mayfield still on a rookie deal while entering his third season, the time for the Browns to win is now. Cleveland has plenty of weapons throughout their roster, but Stefanski will need to create a strategy to get all the ‘big egos’ to work together and play a full 16 game season as a team.
Carolina Panthers
Ron Rivera did not even get a chance to finish the season for the Carolina Panthers. Carolina owner, David Tepper, who is still relatively new to the job, wants to hire his own guys, and perhaps wanted a jump on the top-candidates by firing Rivera early. The Panthers are heading into their next chapter as a franchise, so a new coach does seem appropriate. The Panthers are turning to Matt Rhule to help them get back into prominence. Rhule was previously the head coach at Baylor University. Rhule is known for building a strong culture and garnering respect from those around him. He went 47-43 overall throughout his last seven years coaching in the NCAA.
Washington Redskins
After going 0-5 to start, the Redskins decided that it was time to part ways with head coach Jay Gruden. The interim head coach was offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Callahan did what he could in the time and roster that he was given, but he was never in serious consideration for the job. Instead, Redskins owner Dan Snyder went with the aforementioned Rivera to take over in Washington. Rivera has a successful track record, and may finally be the guy can douse the dumpster fire that is the Washington organization.
New York Giants
The Giants fired Pat Shurmur after a long 4-12 season. it is tough to blame the entire thing on poor Pat. He had struggles with quarterback drama throughout much of his Giants run. An over-the-hill Eli Manning and an extremely raw Daniel Jones are not much to work with. To replace Shurmer the Giants hired Joe Judge, the former special team’s coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Patriots. There is no denying that the Giants are hoping that a little bit of Bill Bellichick rubbed off on Judge, who has been with Bellichick and the Pats since 2012. Judge may bring the ‘Patriot Way’ to the table for the Giants.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones’ love affair with Jason Garrett has finally come to an end. An era that has spanned since he served as interim head coach in 2010. The Cowboys finished a disappointing 8-8 this year, and Jones had enough. The Cowboys hired former Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy returns from his one-year absence in the league, to be the head coach of America’s Team. The former Super Bowl champion brings system and standard to the Cowboys, something that was lost or unfound in Dallas last year. McCarthy has playoff and Super Bowl experience, something that the Cowboys are looking to take advantage of. Jerry Jones rolled the dice with hiring McCarthy, but ultimately McCarthy’s experience with helping Aaron Rodgers develop may aid in the development of Dak Prescott