Leftover Thoughts From The 2024 NFL Coaching Hire Cycle
Three moves (or non-moves?) that I found particularly interesting.
Before the real craziness of the pre-NFL Draft season kicks in after the 2024 NFL Combine wraps up this weekend, I wanted to empty out some of the unfinished entries in my notebook regarding some of the coaching moves that took place this offseason.
Specifically:
Raheem Morris’ Hiring Was Great For Atlanta
I think the Atlanta Falcons made one of the best decisions in this year's head coach hiring cycle, in naming Raheem Morris in said capacity.
He's more than earned the opportunity, having spent time coaching on both sides of the football, and strengthening his overall football knowledge foundation. He's someone whom other players have raved about, in terms of his ability to communicate concepts, command a room of players, and also connect with them on a more individual basis. There's a reason why so many people, both within the LA Rams organization (his last stop) and around the league were vouching for him. His legitimacy as a candidate was further cemented by the fact that he reportedly blew away the Falcons' brass in both of his interviews, to the point where it would've been negligent to not give him very serious consideration.
The fact that the defensive-minded Morris quickly named Zac Robinson (the latter of whom spent the past five years as an ascending assistant on the Rams' offense) his new offensive coordinator demonstrates both Morris' readiness and preparedness for this new opportunity, but also the fact that he was able to bring along a quality coach to help reinvigorate an offense that suffered from too much inconsistency last year.
Bobby Slowik’s Non-Hiring Was Great For Houston
I think one of the best hirings that didn't happen is the fact that Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik didn't leave to become the head coach elsewhere. It wouldn't have been that surprising if Slowik did get one of said jobs; he was certainly an early favorite in at least one spot, particularly with teams remember how the Texans' offense absolutely torched the otherwise-vaunted Cleveland Browns defense in the playoffs.
But, giving quarterback CJ Stroud the continuity to grow in and master the finer nuances of Slowik's offense will make him an even better quarterback than he already has been so early in his career. With no intention of taking anything away from how Stroud has played, Slowik has done an excellent job of putting Stroud in an offense that allows him to have success early and build on the confidence he develops, and perhaps more importantly, really understanding what makes Stroud tick as a person and what's the best way to coach him.
Ryan Nielsen Is My Early Favorite Coordinator Hiring
To me, one of the best low-key coordinator changes of this cycle was the Jacksonville Jaguars hiring Ryan Nielsen, who spent the 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons.
Because of all the drama surrounding Arthur Smith, the Falcons' quarterback quandry, and the erratic utilization of running back Bijan Robinson, the performance of Atlanta's defense last year was overshadowed. In 2023, the Falcons ranked among the top 5 teams in the NFL in lowest success rate allowed and lowest drop back success rate allowed, and top 10 in the NFL in lowest rushing success rate allowed as well as fewest passing yards per game allowed. Oh, and they were in the top 3 in third down defense last year. And Nielsen's success in Atlanta was far from an outlier; the Saints were a top-10 defense the prior three years when he was there.
In Jacksonville, Nielsen's two biggest charges will likely be focused on fixing the Jaguars' rushing defense (they gave up 146.8 rushing yards per game in their five losses after the team's 8-3 start), and finding cornerbacks who'll fit his man coverage-heavy scheme. Regardless, I wouldn't be surprised if we look back on this as one of the best under-the-radar coordinator hires this offseason. ■