NFL Head Coach Pairings 2023
ARIZONA CARDINALS- BRIAN FLORES
The Arizona Cardinals hired former HC Kliff Kingsbury with the hope that pairing him with QB Kyler Murray would yield winning combination for the foreseeable future. Since his hiring, the Cardinals were a team with a ton of talent and potential yet never lived up to the hype as Kingsbury finished with a 28-37-1 record with the Cardinals. Owner Michael Bidwell found his team’s in new GM in Monti Ossenfort from Tennessee as they now begin to search for their next HC. The Cardinals should target a candidate with HC experience and who can set the tone in the locker room and Steelers Assistant Defensive Coach Brian Flores might fit that bill. The former Dolphins HC has been in the spotlight the last couple seasons due to his lawsuit with the NFL but has been a tone setter at every stop along the way. If Ossenfort wants to be toughness back to Arizona, Flores may be a good option.
CAROLINA PANTHERS- STEVE WILKS
Entering this season, former Panther’s HC Matt Rhule was on the hotseat after back to back 5 win seasons and on the fringe of losing the team. After a 1-4 start, the Panthers decided to move on from Rhule and appoint DC Steve Wilks as interim HC. During his team as Panthers HC, Wilks brought new life to the Panthers locker room and finished with a respectable 6-6 record. Not only does Wilks have some experience as a HC during his time in Arizona, but he seems to be well liked my ownership and the team which could go a long way into Wilks being named the team’s permanent HC for the 2023 season. Sure, the Panthers may want to go in a fresh direction but if they want continuity and someone the players will like and respect, Wilks is the guy.
DENVER BRONCOS- DAN QUINN
During the 2022 NFL season, there was no team that had a more disappointing finish than the Denver Broncos. After trading for franchise veteran QB Russell Wilson and pairing him with first time HC Nathaniel Hackett the expectation was playoffs or bust. Instead, the Broncos fired Hackett during the season and finished with a 5-12 record. The Broncos are a team built to win sooner rather than later and the best candidate to lead this team to a rebound is Cowboys DC Dan Quinn. The former HC has experience building a winning team and culture including his time leading the Falcons to a Superbowl and currently constructing a good defense in Dallas. Denver needs a tough leader for their team who knows how to win and Quinn should be the man for the job.
HOUSTON TEXANS- JONATHAN GANNON
After a disappointing season, GM Nick Caserio relieved Lovie Smith of HC duties following week 18 and is now searching for this third HC in three seasons with Houston. The Texans are a young team in flux looking for leader within the locker room and Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon seems to be that guy. Gannon has molded the Eagles defense into an absolute powerhouse unit and one of the best in the league as they finished with the best record in the 2022 NFL season. Last year Gannon was a hot candidate, including in Houston, and this year the Texans may decide to wait to longer and tag Gannon as their HC for 2023 and beyond.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- BRIAN CALLAHAN
The Indianapolis Colts are the hardest to predict which direction they go for their next HC. After a not so successful run with Frank Reich, the team anointed former Colts great, Jeff Saturday, as their interim HC in hopes to lead the team for the remainder of the 2022 season. With GM Chris Ballard now seeking second HC during his tenure they may look towards the future and Bengals OC Brian Callahan. The Cincinnati coach under HC Zac Taylor has helped shape the Bengals offense into one of the best units in the league which is why Callahan is a hot candidate. As the Colts also search for their next QB of the future, it makes perfect sense to pair him with a bright young offensive mind like Callahan.