Commanders, Seahawks Not Expected To Make HC Hires This Week………
The NFC South now has four head coaches after the Falcons brought back Raheem Morris and the Panthers lured Dave Canales away from the Buccaneers. There are now just two spots available, and it’s unlikely that either will be filled this week.
It is anticipated that the Commanders and Seahawks will have to wait a little while longer. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, both teams intend to postpone their searches until the following week. These delays will be mandated under NFL regulations. Teams cannot speak with staff members of a team that is getting ready for a conference championship game to discuss hiring a coach.
These delays are related to the coordinators of the Lions and Ravens, even if the Chiefs and 49ers are still winning. Among the candidates for the positions are Anthony Weaver, Mike Macdonald, Aaron Glenn, and Ben Johnson. There are still coaches vying for the Seattle and Washington positions, but those who are not connected to Detroit or Baltimore are free to interview in person at this time.
A rule change made by the NFL last year prohibited any coach on the staff from meeting with a club in person until after the divisional round. Glenn, Johnson, Macdonald, and Weaver have therefore only conducted virtual interviews. Long waits were also a part of the hiring process last year, with the Cardinals and Colts not making any hires until after Super Bowl LVII. Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon, two Eagles employees, signed
Johnson and Washington have been associated for some time. The second-year Lions OC was thought to be the favourite among the Commanders and Panthers in their respective searches. Johnson may not have shown signs of interest this year, having rejected Carolina the year before. Johnson did, however, speak with David Tepper’s club. Johnson joined Glenn and Macdonald for a virtual interview with the Commanders and Seahawks.
It is anticipated that Johnson and Glenn will reconvene with the Commanders. Macdonald conducted a virtual interview with Washington, but Weaver was the only one to schedule a second Commanders interview with Baltimore staff members. Given the team’s success this season, it seemed doubtful that both of the coordinators would return to the Ravens. The Seahawks and OC have not scheduled an interview with Macdonald.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, no NFC team is considering Bill Belichick. Belichick, seventy-one, having merely discussed the Falcons’ opening with them. The Falcons adjusted their strategy and hired Morris, despite Arthur Blank’s primary focus being on the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach. The latter was scheduled for a second Seahawks interview this Friday after meeting with the Commanders twice. It is likely that Belichick will be excluded from this cycle, at least from head coaching roles, unless another team fires its head coach. The 29-year-old HC veteran needs 14 more victories to tie Don Shula’s record. Since 1975, he has been on the sidelines of the NFL in every season.
