The NFL Draft will help shape rosters for the 2020 season. However, decisions made by some coaches already have put them squarely in the spotlight for the upcoming season. Some of these may not be on the proverbial hot seat — yet — but they definitely will have interested eyes feasted upon them.
12. Adam Gase
Adam Gase didn’t win any popularity contests in his first year with the Jets. If the former Miami Dolphins coach checks in with another below .500 season, he could be checking out as head coach of Gang Green.
11. Dan Quinn
Arthur Blank has stood by Dan Quinn throughout rough seasons after the Super Bowl collapse. Now is the time for Quinn to reward his owner by stepping up with a big season. It won’t be easy in a division that means he will face Drew Brees and Tom Brady four times.
10. Frank Reich
You hang your hat on Philip Rivers coming off the worst season of his career and you proceed at your own risk. Jim Irsay has to like what Frank Reich has brought to the Colts through two seasons. However, if the Rivers experiment fails, the owner’s going to question his coach big time.
9. Anthony Lynn
Speaking of Philip Rivers, Anthony Lynn and the Chargers cut ties with their veteran quarterback. That leaves Tyrod Taylor and the potential for a QB in the draft. Lynn is coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in the league in 2019. He did get a one-year extension through 2021. However, another 11-loss season means he could be collecting from home rather than the sidelines.
8. Mike McCarthy
No explanation needed here. Mike McCarthy is working for Jerry Jones as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. That assures all head coaches a spot on this list.
7. Sean McVay
Another mediocre season by the Los Angeles Rams and Sean McVay is no longer going to be looked at as a Boy Wonder. Todd Gurley is gone. Brandin Cooks has been traded and McVay needs to rebound from a 9-7 struggle to redeem his team.
6. Matt Patricia
Matt Patricia is 9-22-1 in two seasons as coach of the Detroit Lions. It does not take someone with a degree from RPI to figure out that his job is going to be on the line big time unless the Lions improve … dramatically.
5. Doug Marrone
No more Tom Coughlin to blame. Nick Foles was dispatched to Chicago a year after the Jaguars gave him an $88 million contract. You think Doug Marrone is going to be around if he suffers another double-dg
4. Bill Belichick
Let’s get it straight – Bill Belichick will leave New England on his own terms. That said, when you let Tom Brady exit and a number of other players, trade a returning Rob Gronkowski, you put the eyes of the sports universe on Foxboro. Could this be another 2000 for Belichick and the Pats?
3. Matt Nagy
The math is simple because the Bears traded up to get in position to draft Mitchell Trubisky from North Carolina. Now, apparently losing faith, they have traded for Nick Foles. You think management isn’t going to have coach Matt Nagy in the crosshairs?
2. Bruce Arians
Bruce Arians is coaching Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. The window has opened for the Bucs. However, it is tiny thanks to the age of the great quarterback. Will this be a brilliant strategy or a great scheme? Everyone will be eagerly watching.
1. Bill O’Brien
John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports
Bill O’Brien has all the power in Houston. He is coaching a team that had a massive lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round before folding. Jadeveon Clowney is long gone. DeAndre Hopkins has been banished to the desert. Though 21 regular-season wins over the past two seasons are not going to mean much if O’Brien fails to improve his team in the 2020 football season.
.jpg?w=600)
