The NFL is a tough business, and has always been more about “what you’ve done for me lately” (unless you’re Mike Tomlin), which means that at the conclusion of every season, head coaches lose their jobs.
This season is no different, and there are already reports that two coaches are expected to be relieved of their duties sometime after the conclusion of Week 18.
“Cleveland, Las Vegas, those are two places I see as having done their preliminary research for a potential move,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said in an appearance on Kevin Clark’s “This is Football” podcast. “Doesn’t mean they’re locked into doing it, or they’ve decided yet. But those are certainly on my radar.”
It’s not difficult to see why both franchises would elect to move on. The Raiders are 2-14 entering the final week of the regular season, while the Browns are sitting just two games better at 4-12.
One large difference between the situations is that Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski is expected to be in consideration for other openings around the league, while this may be the end of the line for Vegas’s Pete Carroll.
“Kevin Stefanski’s future comes up often in my conversations with people in the league due to the Browns’ 6-23 record the past two seasons,” Fowler reported just over a week ago.
“Another reason his name comes up: Several executives and coaches I’ve spoken to believe he’d be a prime candidate for a head coaching job elsewhere should Cleveland move on after the season.”
It’ll be interesting to follow this offseason’s rendition of the coaching carousel.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.