At the onset of the week, six head coach openings remained in a wild NFL coaching carousel. The Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders were still in the market with the NFL odds. Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots hired head coaches. While the Commanders hired general manager Adam Peters. Despite frustrating blowout losses in the 2024 NFL Playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles kept their HCs. Michigan Wolverines HC Jim Harbaugh and Patriots GOAT Bill Belichick are still shopping for jobs.
How ‘Bout Them Cowboys
Following an inexplicable 48-32 loss at 7-point home favorites to the Green Bay Packers, it was assumed Dallas would change coaches. Instead, owner Jerry Jones is sticking with head coach Mike McCarthy. There is plenty of good reason for the retention. McCarthy is coming off three consecutive 12-5 seasons and has a superior win percentage to his predecessor, Jason Garrett. Also, QB Dak Prescott is coming off his best season with McCarthy running the offense. Dallas will begin 2024 as a sportsbook favorite for a Super Bowl title.
Sirianni Survives in Philly
The Philadelphia Eagles were humiliated in a 32-9 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as 3-point road favorites. Following a 10-1 start to the 2023 season, the Eagles went into free fall with six losses in their final seven games. The collapse was so bad that it was assumed head coach Nick Sirianni was in the soup. Last year, after nearly winning the Super Bowl, the Eagles lost their offensive and defensive coordinators. Now, the media line is that Sirianni was too dependent upon his assistants and a fish out of water without them.
But Nick Sirianni has been an undeniable success at Philadelphia. To illuminate, his NFL betting odds record is 34-17, with three playoff appearances in three seasons at the helm. Of great concern is scuttlebutt that he and QB Jalen Hurts are clashing. Sirianni has one year to fix the Eagles.
Who Has It Better Than Jim Harbaugh?
Fresh off leading the Michigan Wolverines to the national championship, Jim Harbaugh had NFL interviews with the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons last week. Harbaugh is living the life, celebrating the national championship of his alma mater, where he has a fallback job waiting for him if the NFL falls through. Harbaugh is jerking Michigan around, demanding immunity from being fired for NCAA violations. Also, he is loathe to report to athletic director Warde Manuel. Harbaugh may get everything he wants at a university that gives him carte blanche and no accountability.
The Hoodie’s Plight
And there is the case of recently fired New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick. The Hoodie has had two interviews with the Atlanta Falcons. But the Falcons don’t have a legitimate starting QB, which is what got Belichick into trouble in New England after Tom Brady.
Specifically, the Chargers seem like a better fit for Belichick if they can’t come to terms with Harbaugh. But fired Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is viewed as a bona fide wild card to return to LA. Previously, Carroll led USC to national championship glory in So-Cal, where he remains a beloved legend.
Belichick needs 17 more wins to surpass Don Shula as the NFL’s all-time coaching leader. Yet he may end up on the outside looking in.