Many additionally learn Penner’s chain-of-command restructuring as a direct overture to former Saints coach Sean Payton, seen because the prize candidate of this cycle, with it well-known in NFL circles that Payton isn’t actually eager on reporting to a GM. In truth, he’ll nearly definitely handpick who fills the overall supervisor place in his subsequent group, with former Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland amongst these to observe.
“If [Penner] wants Sean, he’s going to have to give him all the money and all the power,” stated one NFL GM, who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of he isn’t permitted to debate different franchises’ hiring choices. “And even then I’m not sure it will be enough.”
It’s already being assumed that cash can be no object for an proprietor who married into the Walmart fortune, however is Russell Wilson the kind of reclamation challenge that might lure Payton to the Rocky Mountains? Payton had vital curiosity in buying and selling for Wilson after the 2020 season, based on people with direct data of the scenario, however Wilson was enjoying like an MVP then.
Others are linking Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh to the job; the chain of command in Denver would go well with him, and he’d in all probability be extra inclined to maintain George Paton because the GM than another rumored coaching candidates. But a number of individuals who know and have labored with Harbaugh and Wilson indicated to me that such an association may show awkward and tumultuous.
“That’s not a fit,” stated one particular person who’s personally aware of each the coach and quarterback. “That would be a strange one to me, but strange s— happens in this league all the time.”
Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the previous Falcons head coach, can be excessive on Paton’s record, as beforehand talked about on this house — although possession is clearly in cost right here — and many have been stunned Quinn didn’t land in Denver a 12 months in the past. But Quinn is aware of Wilson from Seattle, the place he served because the defensive coordinator, and he additionally is aware of a few of Wilson’s quirks. If there isn’t a longer an elite QB score to associate with the eccentricities, nicely, Quinn may desire different choices.
“I would think ideally it’s someone who knows Wilson and who Wilson would be comfortable with,” stated one GM, talking on the situation of anonymity, “but not another first-time guy. This owner won’t want to go back down that path.”
One candidate I may see rapidly rising, notably ought to Payton not wish to go to Denver: Former Colts head coach Frank Reich. He and Wilson would undoubtedly click on, and Reich performed the quarterback place for a very long time at a excessive degree and skilled a late-career rejuvenation himself. He was well-respected for his methods, management and demeanor throughout his stint in Indianapolis, and he has reached the postseason earlier than. He and Paton would doubtless mesh nicely, too.
Other coaching conditions to observe
It’s beginning to look as if there won’t be many extra head coaching openings this offseason. Conversations with executives and high coaching brokers revealed one thing of a consensus. The Panthers, many imagine, will retain Steve Wilks as their head coach (as they need to). No one is shopping for interim coach Jeff Saturday staying in Indianapolis, it doesn’t matter what ramblings come subsequent from proprietor Jim Irsay. There stays a robust expectation that the Texans and Cardinals can be hiring new coaches.
With the Browns collapsing and Deshaun Watson spiraling, execs I spoke to wouldn’t be stunned if Cleveland homeowners Jimmy and Dee Haslam took that out on head coach Kevin Stefanksi. Should Tampa Bay miss the playoffs, there can be rumblings about Todd Bowles, however his mentor, Bruce Arians, continues to be held in excessive regard by possession and a one-and-done appears unlikely. Similarly, the Saints giving Dennis Allen only one 12 months in attempting to switch Payton, a legend in New Orleans, doesn’t seem to be the type of transfer GM Mickey Loomis would make.
All the insiders I canvassed agreed there may be all the time the prospect that one thing completely unexpected occurs — Arians shocked the league together with his retirement final 12 months — and some questioned whether or not Jerry Jones may react swiftly ought to the Cowboys crash out of the playoffs in spectacular vogue. “If that’s an ugly one-and-done [in the playoffs], then it’s over,” one other high coaching agent predicted. “Jerry isn’t getting any younger.” Perhaps Quinn can be promoted in that occasion.
Finally, may 71-year-old Pete Carroll take into account retirement in Seattle? “He’s having too much fun this year,” stated one longtime colleague of his, who is just not at liberty to talk for the coach. “He still has the bug.”
Amid all the chatter about the place Payton goes to land, may I counsel the chance that he stays at Fox one other season and waits for what could be a extra bountiful market a 12 months from now? I wouldn’t wager towards it.
If there are solely 4 or 5 open jobs this season, historical past would inform us that a bigger coaching purge is probably going solely a 12 months away. Brandon Staley reaching the playoffs with the Chargers is large, however what if Justin Herbert, on a large new contract, isn’t transcendent subsequent 12 months? Heavy spending Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross, who has coveted Payton previously, could be extra inclined to pounce a 12 months from now. And a number of good brokers advised one thing else to bear in mind relating to the coaching market transferring ahead: report sale costs of franchises.
Coaching salaries have already soared since Jon Gruden reentered the league with a $100 million deal. So what would be the worth of the particular person appearing in essence as an organizational CEO as soon as the Commanders promote for, say, $7.5 billion, with different gross sales probably to come back? And of the almost certainly openings this winter, none are with franchises which have achieved a lot of notice for fairly a while; none characteristic a distinguished possession group; and none would qualify as something near a bucket-list place.
“The landscape a year from now might be more attractive for a multitude of reasons,” the agent stated. “I wouldn’t discount that. Particularly If you have a client in a position to pick and choose his spot.”
Um, yeah, I’d say Payton qualifies on that rating.