Mike McCarthy’s Monday departure from the Dallas Cowboys instantly makes him a potential frontrunner for the Chicago Bears job to inherit promising No. 1 general quarterback Caleb Williams, in addition to a candidate for the New Orleans Saints’ opening.
Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones, in the meantime, now faces the duty of changing a veteran head coach who received MVP-level play out of quarterback Dak Prescott in 2023, regardless of a disappointing previous 13 months that fell in need of expectations.
What dominoes will fall resulting from McCarthy’s availability? It may have a ripple impact on lots of franchises:
The Cowboys: Presumably Dallas believes it might both land Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, or it has an opportunity to amass a common just like the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin through commerce. Jones may view Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as his subsequent Jason Garrett, however that will be a mistake. Moore’s questionable, pass-heavy play-calling in key spots of Sunday’s Eagles playoff win was the newest cause why. Invoice Belichick was lengthy rumored as a slot in Dallas post-McCarthy, however he carries a $10 million buyout at North Carolina till June. It’s additionally laborious to think about Cowboys gamers not getting whiplash if Belichick instilled no-nonsense accountability.
The Jets and Giants: If the Giants have been capable of, they need to rent McCarthy tomorrow. His pedigree with quarterbacks, his constant means to attain factors, and his expertise operating a workforce all could be rapid upgrades for his or her program. Co-owner John Mara already recommitted to GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, so that is most likely a moot level. Nonetheless, the Giants interviewed McCarthy for his or her head teaching emptiness again in 2020, and McCarthy simply went 8-1 towards them head-to-head as Dallas’ head coach. It’s value placing out robust feelers to gauge his curiosity via back-channels. Frankly, Cowboys GM Will McClay and McCarthy could be a house run duo to rent for any franchise in want of a shift.
The Bears: It’s not loopy to suppose Chicago’s Williams may instantly flash his No. 1 general decide pedigree in yr two with a quarterback whisperer like McCarthy in his ear, in comparison with this previous season’s studying expertise with fired coach Matt Eberflus and fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The NFC North is the hardest division in soccer, and the Bears have a president in former Massive 10 commissioner Kevin Warren who wields lots of energy for a non-football government. However this is able to be a greater job for McCarthy than New Orleans, Jacksonville or both New York workforce, it will appear, provided that the QB is already in place.
The Raiders: The Lions’ Johnson looks like the clear frontrunner to take over in Las Vegas, the place minority proprietor Tom Brady is making an attempt to assist proprietor Marc Davis construct a winner. If Dallas swoops in to court docket Johnson, nevertheless, McCarthy may enter the Las Vegas sweepstakes as a trusted veteran coach who might be able to regular the Raiders’ sunken ship. That might take some convincing of McCarthy, as a result of he’d be extra more likely to inherit a program that he believes is nearer to competing than Vegas. Nonetheless, alternative and cash would possibly make a robust sufficient case.
COMMANDERS NOT A BLUEPRINT
Magic Johnson discovered the cameras on Sunday night time after which informed the media to not make Washington’s Wild Card playoff win about him. But it surely was good timing for the minority Commanders proprietor to grandstand within the highlight.
As a result of it was a very good reminder that Washington’s rapid turnaround is about far more even than drafting a brand new star quarterback in No. 2 general decide Jayden Daniels. And that’s precisely what Daniels is: a star.
The tough actuality for franchises just like the Titans, Giants and Raiders – who’re promoting hope of a single quarterback draft decide like Daniels turning their very own operation round – is that Washington improved as a result of it modified every little thing.
Every thing. From the top-down. Proprietor, common supervisor, head coach, quarterback and offensive and defensive coordinators.
Proprietor Josh Harris, GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, Daniels, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are wall-to-wall enhancements on predecessors Dan Snyder, Martin Mayhew, Ron Rivera, Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy and Jack Del Rio, respectively.
Peters and Quinn additionally inherited some expertise like broad receiver Terry McLaurin, operating again Brian Robinson Jr. and defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Discovering the quarterback ties all of it collectively, little doubt. However the Houston Texans are one other instance of why an instantaneous turnaround – even with a promising younger QB – isn’t essentially replicable.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 general decide in 2023, is a famous person. Nonetheless, he hasn’t carried out this alone.
Texans GM Nick Caserio used a motherload of draft picks from his commerce of former quarterback Deshaun Watson to restock his roster and encompass Stroud with items as soon as he arrived.
Caserio has drafted broad receiver Nico Collins (third spherical), edge rusher Will Anderson (first spherical), corners Derek Stingley Jr. (first spherical) and Kamari Lassiter (second spherical), safeties Calen Bullock (third spherical) and Jalen Pitre (second spherical) and different key items since taking up in 2021.
Getting the quarterback is crucial, however it additionally takes particular circumstances and making the correct hires or draft picks to tug a franchise out of the depths and into the sunshine.
AROUND THE PLAYOFFS
Go determine that the not too long ago underwhelming Texans (32) would rating probably the most factors of any workforce on Wild Card weekend. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw extra interceptions in L.A’s playoff loss (4) than he had all common season (three) … Lamar Jackson’s Ravens towards Buffalo’s Josh Allen within the upcoming Divisional Spherical would possibly find yourself being the sport of the yr. Neither offense is displaying any indicators of slowing down. Jackson and Allen are the highest two MVP frontrunners, and each quarterbacks are below stress to lastly win within the playoffs. The loser of this sport will dwell for a very long time on a missed alternative after an explosive common season … The Eagles ought to beat the winner of Monday night time’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card sport. But when Moore, their offensive coordinator, retains abandoning Saquon Barkley and the operating sport – particularly within the pink zone – they are going to be eradicated at residence … No coordinator has had an even bigger affect on his workforce this season than Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Three interceptions and solely 10 factors allowed towards a strong Packers workforce, led by first-team All-Professional linebacker Zach Baun, a former particular teamer signed and moved inside simply this previous offseason. … Fangio’s continued success is a reminder of why Michigan DC Wink Martindale may make a return to the NFL on this cycle. Fangrio’s expertise, angle and scheme has reworked and strengthened the Eagles, and Martindale has that impact wherever he goes, too. … The Giants appear to need it each methods with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen: no blood on their fingers if he leaves, and full confidence in him if he stays. Regardless, nobody is spending extra time on how Bowen’s standing appears to the skin world than they’re, that’s for positive.
