Ranking the NFL's 8 head coaching vacancies
Black Monday wreaked havoc on the NFL landscape, leaving eight head coaching spots open around the league for the 2019 season.
Here's how we'd rank the coaching vacancies in terms of overall attractiveness:
1. Cleveland Browns
Has there been a more captivating head coaching vacancy in recent years? Cleveland may have a history of losing, but there is little doubt that this is a team on the rise.
It starts with Baker Mayfield. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick was incredible as a rookie, restoring hope to a perennially pessimistic fan base. With the talented pivot, running back Nick Chubb, and tight end David Njoku, the Browns have an exciting offensive core. On the other side of the ball, Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers, Larry Ogunjobi, Joe Schobert, and Denzel Ward are all 25 years old or younger.
The job is also attractive from a personnel perspective, as offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens has thrived with Mayfield. Also, the Browns currently have the fourth-most cap space in 2019, according to Over the Cap, allowing them to upgrade their weaker positions in the spring.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
2. Green Bay Packers
With Aaron Rodgers in town, this opening will give coaches the opportunity to compete immediately for a franchise that has a history of patience with its head coach. Including interim boss Joe Philbin, the Packers have employed 15 coaches in their nearly 100-year-long history. The team's next hire could set themselves up for continued stability - as well as a shot at increased power without a majority owner - with early success.
While Rodgers is the main selling point, the Packers have young pieces on both sides of the ball - specifically at wide receiver and cornerback - worth getting excited over. However, an older franchise signal-caller who could cause a power struggle and a few roster holes place Green Bay slightly behind the Browns in our rankings.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
3. New York Jets
Similar to Cleveland, the Jets have a potential franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold, who looked like a future star in the season's final weeks after a rough start to his rookie campaign.
New York's scoring unit desperately needs playmakers to aid Darnold, but, on defense, safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye and defensive lineman Leonard Williams are great pieces to build around.
The pressure to succeed in New York is ever-present, but this is one 4-12 squad that could turn things around in a flash. The Jets currently have the league's second-most cap space in 2019 and hold the No. 3 overall pick in next April's draft - both ideal opportunities to add talent to an underwhelming roster. They're easily the team best suited to unseat the New England Patriots in the coming years.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
4. Arizona Cardinals
In truth, the Cardinals need quite a bit of work to compete in the NFC West. However, the club is seemingly set at quarterback with 2018 first-rounder Josh Rosen - despite his struggles during his rookie campaign - and has plenty of cap space available to improve its offensive unit outside of David Johnson and Christian Kirk.
Arizona also has the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft and could either trade down and add picks or select the top available prospect. Either way, a young first-round quarterback combined with the first overall pick presents an appealing opportunity for coaching candidates. Arizona can't go one and done with its head coach two years in a row, right?
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay offers a unique opportunity for its incoming head coach, who could either forge a long-term partnership with Jameis Winston if the former No. 1 overall pick revitalizes his career, or draft and groom their own signal-caller with a high pick.
Although the Buccaneers lack top-end talent, they hold the fifth overall selection in April's draft and have a group of exciting young players to work with. Also, general manager Jason Licht isn't nearly as hands on as other executives. Whether it's a long-term rebuild or a quick reset, there are options that make the Bucs' head coaching vacancy intriguing.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️❤️
6. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have young talent on their roster and plenty of cap space to work with, but they're currently a team with uncertainty at the quarterback position and a lack of direction. Case Keenum has one year left on his current contract, but the team must find a long-term answer at the pivot. Maybe Denver can target a franchise signal-caller in this year's draft with the No. 10 overall pick.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, the hands-on approach of general manager and president of football operations John Elway - which has resulted in questionable moves and three straight seasons without playoff football - could deter top candidates from the position. In addition, Denver's ownership uncertainty could also be a deterrent for potential candidates.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️❤️
7. Miami Dolphins
Similar to the Broncos, Miami is searching for an identity and long-term direction. The Dolphins have unloaded a ton of talent over the last two years, but somehow still have very little cap space to work with, resulting in a mediocre roster with little flexibility.
Ryan Tannehill hasn't looked like the franchise quarterback Miami drafted him to be, leaving the team with an important decision to make in 2019. The Dolphins could cut him with two years left on his current deal - which would cost them $13.4 million in dead money - but they're not in a position to land a top-tier replacement.
Then there's Stephen Ross. The Dolphins owner is a hands-on executive who isn't afraid to voice his displeasure if the team struggles. Fail early on, and Ross could yet again be looking for a new man to lead his squad.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️
8. Cincinnati Bengals
While there are certainly appealing factors to the Bengals' head coaching vacancy - including a young roster and patient ownership - the team is stuck in NFL purgatory. Andy Dalton has reached his ceiling, A.J. Green is nearing the end of his prime, the defense needs a ton of work, and the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are ascending in the AFC North.
In addition, the Bengals are rarely aggressive in their offseason spending and they aren't forward-thinking in their organizational approach. Transforming Mike Brown's club into a perennial playoff contender could prove to be a tall task.
Attractiveness: ❤️❤️