Image Source: Jonathan Jones
Key Takeaways:
- John Harbaugh is set to interview with teams next week, with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons being his top choices.
- The Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns are also in the running, with the Titans being Harbaugh’s third choice and the Browns having mutual interest.
- Matt LaFleur’s future in Green Bay is uncertain, with the team potentially parting ways with him or extending his contract.
- The NFL’s Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two external candidates from diverse backgrounds before hiring a head coach.
- The hiring process is expected to slow down in recent years, with teams potentially making hires in late January or February.
Introduction to the Coaching Carousel
The NFL coaching carousel is in full swing, with eight head-coach vacancies across the league. One of the most prominent coaches available is John Harbaugh, who was fired by the Baltimore Ravens after nearly two decades at the helm. According to sources, Harbaugh will soon put together his interview schedule for this week, with multiple teams waiting to hear from him so that they can work around his schedule. As one source noted, "Harbaugh will command a high salary based simply off his resume, and some level of roster say is inherent in attracting a coach of that caliber."
Harbaugh’s Top Choices
Harbaugh’s top choices among the vacant jobs are the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, in some order. The Tennessee Titans are in third place, while the Cleveland Browns have mutual interest with Harbaugh. Reports of Harbaugh’s demands are inaccurate, according to a source with knowledge. As the source stated, "A demand of $20 million in salary and full roster control are not required to land Harbaugh’s services." Other teams will do what they can to work their way into the Harbaugh mix, but the biggest question is if other jobs will become available.
LaFleur’s Future in Green Bay
Matt LaFleur’s future in Green Bay is center stage in the NFL. He is 76-40-1 all-time in Green Bay, and he’s been to the playoffs in six out of his seven seasons there. However, he’s been the seventh seed each of the past three years with just one victory, and he’s coming off a brutal loss to the rival Chicago Bears. LaFleur’s contract is up next season, and new Packers CEO Ed Policy has said he doesn’t wish for someone to coach in a lame-duck year. As one NFC executive said, "Firing him instead of trading him would be asinine. I just don’t really know who you’re hiring that’s better if you’re Green Bay. But certainly shouldn’t pay him to work for someone else next year."
The Rooney Rule and Hiring Process
The NFL has aimed to slow down the hiring process in recent years, and that has worked with general success. Coaches on playoff teams still must balance preparing for their postseason opponent and interviewing for a life-changing opportunity, but teams have been hiring later in January (and February) than even four or more years ago. The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two external candidates who come from diverse backgrounds before hiring a head coach. As part of the rule, in-person interviews with coaches currently employed by other teams cannot begin until January 19, just after the divisional round of the playoffs.
Conclusion and Future Developments
The coaching carousel is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with Harbaugh and LaFleur being two of the most prominent coaches available. The NFL’s Rooney Rule and hiring process will play a significant role in determining the fate of these coaches and the teams interested in hiring them. As one source noted, "There is no team of the eight with vacancies that can hire a head coach right now based off NFL rules." The future of the NFL coaching landscape will be shaped by the decisions made in the coming weeks, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. As the NFL season comes to a close, the coaching carousel will continue to spin, with Harbaugh and LaFleur being two of the most intriguing storylines to follow.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/john-harbaugh-matt-lafleur-nfl-coaching-cycle/