Your author covered the first three coaching hires in a previous article, so it’s time to cover the remaining four new head coaches here. Each team needed enough time and attention and a fair rundown of where their franchise currently stands. Let’s continue the break down!
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers decided to poach their inner-city rival’s staff in selecting former Rams’ DC Brandon Staley. This move seems premature in my opinion, as Staley is just a season and some change removed from serving as Linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears. A Vic Fangio disciple is always good for defense, but your writer is not convinced that Staley is prepared to take on all the duties of the Head Coach position. Additionally, I’m not sure if Staley is dynamic or creative enough to change daily operations, spark his offense, and consequently flip this team’s Ls into Ws.
A lot of Staley and the Chargers’ success hinges on their OC, too much, actually. Joe Lombardi was the hire, and while his surname carries tremendous weight, his resume does not. Lombardi’s only experience as an OC was with the 2014 and 2015 Detroit Lions and spanned just a season and a half.
From a fantasy perspective, expect to see a lot of the same from the Chargers. Justin Herbert will be winging it, playing from behind. Austin Ekeler and company should yield moderate production out of the backfield. Keenan Allen, whose dynasty value begins to diminish with age, will still be a WR1. On the IDP front, expect there to be three or four significant producers, though the only stalwart remains a healthy Joey Bosa.
Philadelphia Eagles
This was another selection that had the feel of a Zac Taylor/Matt Nagy hire. Admittedly, Nick Sirianni at least comes off a relatively successful three-year stint as an OC for the Indianapolis Colts. Still, this hire already gives the impression of a coach that will be overwhelmed. The Eagles’ success will completely rely on what is done with the defensive personnel and the defensive coaching staff. Sirianni is an offense-only coach that will give total control of the defense to newly hired DC Jonathan Gannon and the rest of the former Colts assistant coaches that were poached.
Considering the accolades of the coach they just relieved of duty, it feels like the Eagles could have done better. This team will sink or swim based on how its defense plays. Expect to see Carson Wentz given the nod to start the season, with perhaps a similar leash as we observed in 2020. New OC Shane Steichen most likely does not have the answer for Wentz’s woes. The offensive and defensive lines–stalwarts for this team for so long–have gotten old. Fortunately, Philly did just free up some much-needed extra cap space.
Jalen Reagor remains a buy-low candidate, as an offseason and healthy start will render an immense improvement in year two. The situation with Zach Ertz is worth monitoring, as his departure would save the Eagles five million in cap space and open the doors for Dallas Goedert to increase his production. The majority of the defense surrounding Fletcher Cox could use an overhaul.
Houston Texans
In Houston, newly hired Head Coach David Culley is tasked with leading a franchise that has recently alienated its star players. As much as anyone wants to see Culley succeed for the Texans, it’s hard to get excited about a 65-year-old first-time head coach. Unfortunately, this new partnership has the feel of Culley serving as the “fall guy” after the team plummets following superstar QB Deshaun Watson’s departure.
It makes sense that Houston chose an older, experienced coach who is known as a consistent, calming, and hard-working presence. They need to settle a franchise that has been reeling all offseason. This is a franchise that needs a culture reset. Culley can provide that for this team. We have seen in recent years that players now have more power than ever to dictate the terms of their departure from a franchise. Watson appears to be a lost cause now, so Culley and the Texans need to repair and fix whatever and whoever they still can in Houston.
Correspondingly, and putting Watson aside for the moment, the team is in disarray, but there are some players to build around on the O-Line and some strong defensive players in place. Assuming an eventual Watson trade, the stop-gap QB or rookie that starts in 2021 will rely on the defense and the run game. Expect whichever rookie or free agent RB is added to the backfield to get a healthy amount of touches. The receiving options in Houston are limited at best, even if unrestricted free agent Will Fuller returns. The defense will undoubtedly improve, but it won’t be enough for this team to compete.
Detroit Lions
This brings us to the franchise that (as of writing this article) just completed a massive blockbuster trade! The Lions’ recent haul they received in return for former face of the franchise Matthew Stafford speaks volumes about their plan. New Head Coach Dan Campbell and new GM Brad Holmes are being given a clean slate and, more importantly, an extended length of time to mold their version of a contender. Your author likes the Campbell hire as a shake-up for a long-time stagnant organization.
Detroit hasn’t had a head coach that was a former NFL player since Dick Jauron took over for Steve Mariucci as the interim coach in 2005. As a former player, Campbell will find ways to motivate his team that other Detroit coaches haven’t been able to in the past. With no immediate pressure to win, Holmes and Campbell can develop the culture, roster, and expectations they want. They get to take a long look at Jared Goff this season, and they are loaded with draft capital this offseason, as well as in 2022 and 2023.
Because no one expects Detroit to be competitive in 2021, the further out future looks optimistic for the Lions. With Goff at QB (or even if he is again traded and a rookie starts for Detroit), we can expect young stars T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift to be heavily targeted in the passing game. Furthermore, all of Detroit’s WRs except 2020 5th-round pick Quintez Cephus are heading into free agency. Outside of Hockenson and Swift, expect poor production from the rest of the Lions’ fantasy assets in 2021, both offensive and defensive.
Making the Grade
As stated at the outset of this article, the 2021 new coaching hires were relatively underwhelming. It is unbelievable that Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy was not hired for one of these positions. Everyone knows it’s far too soon to be ranking hiring decisions, but your writer categorizes this offseason’s hires as either strong, underwhelming, or complete gambles.
Strong Hires: Arthur Smith – Atlanta Falcons, Robert Saleh – New York Jets
Underwhelming Hires: Brandon Staley – Los Angeles Chargers, Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles, David Culley – Houston Texans
Boom or Bust Hires: Urban Meyer – Jacksonville Jaguars, Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions
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